TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022  TOWN OF SAWMILLS ANNUAL BUDGET RETREAT  9:00 AM  COUNCIL PRESENT Mayor Pro Tem Clay Wilson Keith Warren Rebecca Johnson Melissa Curtis COUNCIL ABSENT Mayor Johnnie Greene Joe Wesson  STAFF PRESENT Chase Winebarger Julie A Good Terry Taylor  CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem Clay Wilson called the meeting to order at  approximately 10:3lam.  ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Pro Tem Clay Wilson asked for a motion to adopt the February Rebecca. Johnson made ai motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to adopt the February 8, 2022  8, 2022 Budget Retreat Agenda.  Budget Retreat Agenda. All were in favor. FINANCIAL UPDATES: DISCUSSION:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he would like to have Council to give him and the Finance department some discretion, within reason, to decide from which funds projects are paid out of. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the process now is that staff brings everything to Council once a month and costs go up before projects are approved. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that no decisions will be made without Council Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that there are more grants out now: for more projects. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that even though the South Caldwell Lift Station project had been budgeted for, the Town has put in for a BRIC grant that would match 50%, sO the project is on hold waiting to see ifthe Town will get the grant and then the money that Town Manager Chase Winebarger informed Council that future projects might be delayed four (4) to six (6) months to see if there is a grant that can help instead of the Town paying  knowing.  was budgeted can go to use on another project.  out of pocket.    February 8, 2022 Budget Retreat  FINANCIAL UPDATES: PREMIUM PAY:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he has talked to surrounding areas regarding premium pay. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that similar plans have been currently incorporated by Hickory, Lenoir, Granite Falls, Caldwell County Schools, and Caldwell County Government. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated he would propose the  following:  Premium Pay would be available toi full-time and part-time employees, prorated from Full-time employees hired as of January 31, 2022, will receive a payment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per month per for each month worked since. April 1,2020, Part-time employees hired as of. January 31, 2022, will receive a payment of forty dollars ($40.00) per month for each month worked since April 1, 2020, with a Premium Pay is subject to 401K (LEOS only), retirement and FICA taxes. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the total cost would be approximately  April 1, 2020 through January 31, 2022 (22 months).  with ai maximum oft twenty-two hundred dollars ($2,200.00). maximum of eight hundred eighty dollars ($880.00).  five thousand five hundred dollars ($25,500.00).  twenty-  Rebecca Johnson made a motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to pay, premium pay to full- time employees who worked April 1,2020 through January 31, 2022, one hundred dollars month ($100.00), not to exceed twenty-two hundred dollars ($2,200.00) and part-time per employees who worked April 1, 2020 through January 31, 2022, forty dollars ($40.00) month, not to exceed eight hundred eighty dollars ($880.00), regardless of yearly salary, per to be paid out of ARPA funds with retirement and FICA taxes taken out. All were in favor.  FINANCIAL UPDATES: EMPLYOEE BENEFITS:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he would like to give all employees a five percent (5%) salary increase this year, which will be a combination of COLA and Merit. Town Manager Chase Winebarger also stated that he would like to give sixteen (16) hours per year petty time for employees for appointments that take up to two (2)hours for employees sot they are not using all sick and vacation time. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that  petty time will not roll over from year to year. FINANCIAL UPDATES: ADMINISTRATION:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that, at this point, the focus for the administration department is on a new building. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the ARPA funds can be used for building and would like for Council to use some ofthe money on anew Town Hall. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he is hoping to begin forward in March or. April ofthis year, depending on when the survey is completed. moving    February 8, 2022 Budget Retreat  FINANCIAL UPDATES: PARKS AND RECREATION:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that Parks and Recreation will need to hire a new employee this year and potentially one more next year. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that hiring a new employee will start the process for Parks and Recreation to begin Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the press box at Baird Park needs to remodeled. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the stairs need to be redone be Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the Town would be doing a youth  maintaining the parks and therefore free up Public Works to do other jobs.  would like additional lighting.  and archery  program and a youth fishing program this year.  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he would like to budget for Phase 1 oft the new  property, which will include: Track  Accessible Track around the Pond Accessible Parking at the Pond Outdoor Amphitheater "Football" Field Parking Restrooms Lights Infrastructure  FINANCIAL UPDATES: PUBLIC WORKS revolving around upfitting the new building: Remodeling Office Space Additional Restrooms Pavement Sewer Connections Security  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that most ofthe budget planning forj public worksi is  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the Town would continue to follow the Capital Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that staffwould like to finish the water line on Baker Circle. The water line stops before the end of Baker Circle and there are some undeveloped properties that do not have access to water. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that finishing the Baker Circle water line will better access to those properties and would better flow of water to all of Baker Circle because the water would loop all the give and  Improvement Plan for projects.  a way  continue to flow instead ofj just coming to a stop.    February 8, 2022 Budget Retreat  FINANCIAL UPDATES: SANITIATION  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that will be no changes in sanitation.  COUNCIL ADJOURN: Mayor Pro Tem Clay Wilson asked for a motion to adjourn. Rebecca Johnson made a motion, and Clay Wilson seconded, to adjourn the  All  were in favor.  meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:5lam.  Bls  SEAL ANS1aS  COUNE  Mayor  ak  AM