MAYOR Jessie Bellflowers MAYORI PROTEM Dr. Kenjuana McCray TOWNI MANAGER Chancer McLaughlin  TOWN BOARD Elyse Craver Jerry] Legge Bryan Marley Joanne Scarola TOWNO CLERK Ashley Wyatt  OWN y HOPE MILLS NORTH CAROLINA PROUDI PAST. A BRIGIT FUTURE  TOWN OF HOPE MILLS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  Meeting Agenda - February 19, 2024 6:00 p.m. Special Meeting  Mayor Jessie Bellflowers called the Special Meeting oft the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners to order on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 6:05 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance.  STAFF PRESENT  Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin, Town Clerk, Ashley Wyatt, Deputy Town Clerk, Coronda Regan, Finance Director Drew Holland, Parks & Recreation Director Lamarco Morrison, and  Public Works Director Don Sisko PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Bellflowers led the pledge of allegiance. OPENING REMARKS/ WELCOME  Mayor Bellflowers made introductory remarks and welcomed and thanked Senator Val Applewhite, Senator Tom McInnis, Representative Frances Jackson and Representative Diane  Wheatley for attending the meeting. PRESENTATIONS  Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin highlighted key elements of the presentation that was provided to the delegation prior to the meeting. The purposed oft the presentation was to illustrate how the Town ofHope Mills was working toward its own financial goals and how the legislature could assist. Some of the highlighted items were the following: a proposed Senior Center; the construction ofHeritage Park, improving infrastructure, implementing gatransportation service, tax Representative Jackson asked a clarifying question regarding the projected costs for the proposed Mr. McLaughlin clarified that the $692,000.00 amount was the total ask to fund the program over Senator Applewhite asked where the salaries for Hope Mills employee fell in comparison to  increases, and identifying future projects. transportation system for Hope Mills.  the course of 10 years for two 25 passenger mini vans. neighboring municipalities and ift they were at market rate.  Special Meeting February 19,2024    Mr. McLaughlin explained that the Town of Hope Mills was conducting a pay study that would take into account 10 other municipalities and their salaries. He advised that the plan was that once the pay study had been approved, first responders would receive their increases first and then the Drew Holland, Finance Director stated that the annual financial cost ofimplementing the pay study Senator Applewhite asked what the shortfall from the county tax change that would bet taking place Mr. Holland advised that the estimated loss was 1.8 million dollars. He also advised that the Town would have to intentionally budget for that loss and include more funding in the budget ahead of  rest oft the staff would see changes after. July. would be anywhere from 600-700k annually.  in the next fiscal year.  time.  Senator Applewhite asked when Hope Mills last raised taxes.  Mayor Pro Tem Dr. McCray recalled that taxes had not been increased in at least 10 years. Senator McInnis asked how much revenue the Town received from Powell Mr. Holland responded that the Town gained 485k in revenue.  Senator McInnis advised that the legislature was currently in its short session and did not allocate Parks and Recreation Director Lamarco Morrison stated that the Town had ready projects for  money during that time.  whenever funding did become available.  Representative Wheatley asked ifa decision on increasing taxes had been made. Mayor Bellflowers advised that conversations were still ongoing regarding the subject.  Senator McInnis asked how much money the general fund had. Mr. Holland advised there was 8 million dollars.  Commissioner Scarola noted that the change from ad valorem taxes to per capita taxes put the town in a vulnerable position, as more infrastructure needs were coming to the forefront. Senator McInnis asked for background information regarding how the tax rate was assessed. Mr. Holland advised that there had been a renewal process prior to the change taking place to give the Town time to adjust and that the County withdrew their desire to renew the extension after the Senator McInnis suggested asking Cumberland County for another extension or a "soft close".  last time.  Special Meeting February 19, 2024    Mayor Bellflowers responded that the decision to change how taxes werel being assessed was made between the Cumberland County Mayor's Coalition and the Cumberland County Board of Mayor Pro Tem Dr. McCray noted that the extension for the tax change had been delayed or pushed back for a number ofyears, which is why the county did not renew the extension the final time. Mr. McLaughlin echoed Mayor Pro Tem Dr. McCray and added that the county was not inclined Senator Applewhite suggested putting the top priorities of the town on a ballot and letting the  Commissioners.  tor renew the extension because Hope Mills had not raised taxes in sO long.  residents decide what was most important. Mayor Bellflowers appreciated that suggestion.  Senator Applewhite availed herself to facilitate conversations between the City of Fayetteville's transportation director and the Town of Hope Mills in order to explore more oft the transportation Mayor Pro Tem Dr. McCray welcomed the offer and stated that the town had initiated conversations prior; however due to the Director being new at the time, they wanted her to have an opportunity to get acclimated before approaching them with a large project. Commissioner Legge expressed his support for the proposed tax increase.  piece ofthe presentation.  Senator McInnis reiterated his position on asking the county for another extension regarding the Representative Wheatley reiterated her support for the transportation component of the  taxes. presentation. ADJOURNMENT.  Seeing no additional business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:41pm. Motion by Commissioner Legge, seconded by Commissioner Scarola, and carried unanimously to  adjourn the meeting.  OF HOPEANS  SEAL  Bellflowers, Maybr  ATTEST:  pbr  0o0000ba Ashley Wyatt, CMC, NCCMC'TIN  Town Clerk Special Meeting February 19, 2024