6331  The Smithfield* Town Council reconvened its May 10, 2022 meeting on! Monday, May 16, 2022 at 6:30 pmi int the Council Chambers oft the Smithfield' Town Hall, Mayor M. Andy Moore presided.  Councilmen Present: Mayor Pro-Tem! Dunn Marlon Lee - District1 David Stevens, District2 Travis Scott, District3 Dr. David Barbour, District 4 Stephen Rabil, At-Large  Councilmen Absent Roger Wood, At-Large  Administrative Staff Present Michael Scott, Town! Manager Michael Brown, Fire Chief Ted Credle, Public Utilities Director Lawrence Davis, Public Works Director Gary Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director Timk Kerigan, Human Resources/PIO ITD Director, Eric McDowell Shannan Parrish, Town Clerk R. Keith Powell, Chief of Police Greg Siler, Finance Director Stephen Wensman, PlanningDirector  Reconvene: May 10, 2022 Meeting Mayor Moore reconvened the meeting ate 6:31 pm  Town Manager Michael Scotti informed the public that a meeting would be held on May 31,2022 at7:00 pm int the Council Chambers. This would bet the Organizational Meeting of the Town Council. Town! Manager Michael Scotte explainedi that att the lastr meeting, staff was directed to perform a market analysis of all salaries. He explained $680,000 was the amount used for the General Fund and $105,000 was the amount used for each of the Enterprise Funds. The only way to generate more revenue was to increase revenues or decrease expenses. Sincei increasing revenues was nota a viable option, he considered: ar reduction int the debt service. By paying off both the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Centerl loans with fund! balance, would save $166,000 ini interest and free up $452,000. Iff fund balance was used for the loan payoff, there would still be approximately 50% remaining int the General Fund fund balance. He explained the Electric Fund would have a windfall in three years when the NCEMPA defeasance debt was paid off; however, the Water/Sewer fund would bet tighter because oft the water plant expansion. The Town Manager explained that American Rescuel Plan Act (ARPA) funds could be usedf for the $1,092,000 needed for the Fire Engineer and the Sanitation' Truck. ARPA funds coulda alsol be usedi fors salaries ors services. He explained staff was continuing Councilman Scotts statedt thei fund balance has grown. He questioned what has caused the increase. Finance Director Greg Siler explained the fund balance increases when revenues are greater than expenses. The Town Manager further explained the fund balance increases when revenues are underestimated and departments not spending all of its allotted budget. Also, remaining contingency funds go back into the fund Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn questioned the additional amount needed to cover the cost of benefits such as retirement, 401k, etc. The Town Manager responded approximately $165,000 would be needed for those Councilman Stevens questioned the objective of the salary increases. Councilman Scott responded the Mayor Pro-Tem Dunns statedt thatt thee employees weret the Town's greatest asset, but het felt the decision made at the last meeting was donei in hast. He stated that while the Town was poised for growth, that growth had not been realized. He explained the Council was tasked with spending thet tax payer's money wisely and there were many needst throughout the Town. This was something that would need to be discussed and decided in Town Manager Michael Scott explained thati if the Council was going to entertain the idea of paying off the Councilman Scotts stated! hes sensed the urgency by the employees. He struggled spending more money on a Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn questioned if the 2% salary adjustment would be included if the salaries proposed by Councilman Scotty werei implemented. The Town Manager responded the 2% salary adjustment would not! be Councilman Barbour statedt the Council should have talked abouts salary increases months ago. Mayor Moore statedt the Councils shouldr notr rusht tor make a decision. Hef furthers stated! he was concerned withi the reoccurring costs and while the Council has approved al lot of growth, the growth and thei increase int the tax base has not  Salary Increases Discussion  tov work ont the market analysis.  balance att the end oft thet fiscaly year. benefits. But that was simply ane estimate.  intension was toi increase the wages ofe every employee.  Mayor Moore stated the motion from the last meeting was to do ani internal salary study.  thet future. Het felt ane external salary study would! be! beneficial.  SRAC debt, itr needed to bep paid now.  salary study. included.  been realized.  Itwast the consensus oft the Councilt to pay off both oft the SRACI loans.    6332  1. General Fund  Fire Department the following:  Fire Chief Michael Brown highlighted the Fire Department's FY 2022-2023 budget whichi included Salaries: 8% increase due tot the salaries oft the Fire Chief and Firel Inspector Part-time Salaries: 9% increase due to the need for ap part- time Fire Inspector Councilman Scott questioned if the part-time Fire Inspector was a new position. Chief Brown responded the position was needed because staff was behind oni inspections. Training and Education: 133%i increase due to the training needs oft the department. Service Awards and Recognition: Chief Brown explained that he asked for $6,000, butt this was reduced to $3,600. He stated that recognition was ay very important expenditure. Uniforms: 56% increase due tot thei increased cost of uniforms andi turn-out gear. Service Contracts: $1,000 would be used for annual employee driver's license inquiries. Chief Brown stated this was something that should be done for alle employees. Transfer to General Fund Capital Project Fund: Chief Brown explained $875,000 was Mayor Moore questioned the function oft the Rescue truck. Chief Brown responded it was Mayor Moore questioned ifit was possible to have a fire engine with rescue capabilities. ChiefE Brown responded there was nor room on an engine for the rescue capabilities. Councilman Barbour questioned the amount oft time it would take to build a rescue truck. Chief Brown responded ittakes 3 months fort the design and approximately 370 days fori it to be built. Chief Brown further explained the rescue truck would have its own air Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn questioned if the $875,000 price was firm. Chief Brown responded Capital Outlay: $56,850 is proposed in the budget for SCBA masks and regulators, shell and slide outf fort the Firel Marshall's vehicle, replacement of office carpet and paint, and" 10 Items requested but not included: 6 new firefighters at a cost of $360,000 and the Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn questioned how the current EMS Squad was working by utilizing part-time employees. Chief Brown responded the program was not working as well as he hoped, but it was beneficial in District 1 during overlapping calls. Those employees would be better served on an Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn questioned if2 employees working Monday Friday 8:00 am until 5:00 pm would be beneficial. Chief Brown responded he needed six additional firefighters. Councilman Barbour questioned volunteer participation. Chief Brown responded most volunteers Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson highlighted the Parks and Recreations Department's Salaries/Part-Time: 37% reduction due to the salaries of Umpires/Referees have been Equipment Maintenance & Repair: 11% increase due to moving additional landscaping Service Contracts: 22% increase due to thei increased cost of landscaping services. Capital Outlay: $109,500 was proposed for 210 Park PARTF Plan and Grant Application, Bridge Replacement at Community Park, Roofa and windowr replacement: fort the community park concessions, 72" Ventrac mower deck, moveable soccer goalf for Talton Field, and3 Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson explained that funds for the bridge replacement at  budgeted for the replacement of Rescue 1  as specialty truck. This truck will not have aj pump orv water.  compressor.  the price would bei finalized att thet time of contract approval.  firep pagers  additional $2,400 for Service. Awards and Recognition  engine company.  serve ont the weekends. b. Parks and Recreation  FY2 2022-2023 Budget whichi included the following:  moved to as separate line.  services and mulching from the service contract line.  row portable bleachers.  Community Park will come from. Johnston County Visitor's Bureau.    6333  Items requested but noti included int the budget: $18,000 for a Boom mower trimmer and Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson highlighted the SRAC's FY2022-20231 Budget which Salaries Part-Time/General: 14% increase due toi increasing the starting pay by $1.00to Salaries Part-Time/Aquatics: 14% increase due to increasing the starting pay by $1.00to Salaries Part-Time Instructors: 19% reduction due to eliminating instructors that are not Telephone: 50% increase due to adding a stipend for the SRAC Supervisor. Generator Fuel/Maintenance: 18% increase duet tot thei increase cost offuel. Aquatic Supplies: 15% increase due tot thei increase in cost ofs supplies. Johnston County Capital Outlay: $91,500 was proposed for boiler replacement, courtr refinishing and pottery Councilman Barbour asked staff to investigate the cost of an electronic sign for the Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson highlighted the Sarah Yard Community Center's FY  $25,000 fort the disc golfr redesign and construction.  SRAC included thei following:  $10.00 ank hour. $10.00 an hour. needed.  Schools pays for the cost of pool chemicals. wheel and kiln replacement.  SRAC/Community Park. d. Sarah Yard Community Center 2022-2023 Budget whichi included the following:  Building Maintenance: 30% increase int this line duet tot ther needf for repairs tot the building. Capital Outlay: $15,000 was budgeted for the installation OfLVT hardwood flooring Councilman Lee questioned ifthef floor coulds simply be painted and adda aj painted hopscotch board.  Adjourn  Mayor Moore adjourned the meeting ata approximately 9:46 pm.  OFSUTA  oR  M. AndyMoore/Mayor  ATIEST:  yosprhorisk Shannan L. Parrish, Town Clerk