6138  The Smithfield Town Council meti in Special Session on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at6 6:30 pmi in the Council Chambers ofthe Smithfield Town! Hall, Mayor M. Andy Moore presided.  Councilmen Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn David Stevens, District2 Travis Scott, District3 Dr. David Barbour, District4 Stephen Rabil, At-Large Roger Wood, At-Large CALL TO ORDER  Councilmen. Absent Marlon Lee - District 1  Administrative! Staff Present Michael Scott, Town! Manager Ted Credle, Public Utilities Director Tim Kerigan, HR Director/ PIO Shannan Parrish, Town Clerk Greg Siler, Finance Director  Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at6 6:30 pm.  Town Manager Michael Scott informed the Council that the North Carolina League of Municipalities was interestedi int the Town's opinion on the upcoming municipal election. The Town can move forward with the election orv wait until nexty year to hold elections sincet the census data will not be complete by the July filing deadline. While itv was preferred to hold elections ati its regularly schedule time this year, the Town would Town Manager Michael Scott informed the Council that due tot the June Council meeting being scheduled for. June 1st, year end budget amendments would not be completed. Another meeting would need to be heldi in. June. Itv was the consensus of the Council to hold an additional meeting via conference call. Town! Manager Michael Scottr remindedi the Council oft the May 10th Special Meeting with Johnston County.  followt the guideline set forth by thel North Carolina General Assembly.  FY2021-2022 Budget Discussion  1. Town Budget Manager Overview Michael Scott provided an overview oft the 2021-2022 Budget. He explained that all funds were balanced. No property tax increase was being proposed. Electric Fees and charges were consistent with UFS recommendations. Water fees would remain unchanged. Sewer fees would remain unchanged, but Johnston County, is making changes to its billing formula for bulk customers and may also increase rates. All fund balances remain above the 25% Fiscal Policy Included in the proposed budget were the following capital expenditure amounts: General Fund ForF FY2021-2022, the medical insurance increased by 7% and retirement increased by 1.2%. This budget also accounts fora a 2.5% salary adjustment. This could! be changed to 4% meriti increasei if Int the Sanitation Department, two general maintenance personnel have been used for sanitation. Tof fillt that void, the sanitation department is requesting 2 sanitation equipment operator positions. thereby allowing the general maintenance personnel to perform their duties. Capital Expenses include one new! knuckleboom truck to replace and existing truck. The Town will take outal loan for this purchase. In 2023, ar new garbage truck will be replaçed and possibly purchased through loan proceeds. There is a proposed increase in sanitation fees that equates to $2.00 per month per Additional personnel proposed in the budget were as follows: General Fund - 1 IT Specialist, 1 position change for the existing IT specialist, 2 Sanitation Equipment Operators and a partt time Garage Mechanic. Water/Sewer Fund - 1 Water Plant Operator and 1 Water/Sewer Pump Int this budget, staff was requesting to pay off the existing loan for the EMS building at a cost of $103,000. Paying off this loany would save $38,000 ini interest. This budget includes $61,381 for the first payment of the Police Department expansion loan. The Booker Dairy road improvements mature in FY 2022 with the last payment being $313,676. Debt Service for the water plant improvements will not be budgeted until FY2 2023. The electric substation loan matures in 2028. Int this budget, allr non-departmental. requests remaint the same as the currenti fiscaly year's requests. The Annie D.. Jones Child Enrichment Fund did not requestf funding this year duei to COVID-19. No request has been received from the Smithfield Rescue Mission, butt the same funding amount from  requirements.  $1,415,410, Electric Fund $755,00, and' Water Sewer Fund $1,765,000  the Council preferred.  customer.  Mechanic. Electric Fund-2E Electric Linemen.  the current fiscaly year has been budgeted.  2. Utilities  a. Water Plant  Plant's  Public Utilities Director Ted Credle highlighted some line items in the Water  proposed FY21-22 budget. They are as follows:  Salaries - One new water plant operator was proposed. It takes one year to fully    6139  train a water plant operator. Staffing is adequate until currente employees are out for Training and Education- $1,000 has been addedf fort training for the new employee. Building Equipment and Maintenance - 17% increase in this line due to some Professional Services - 17% increase int this line due to miscellaneous engineering Capital Outlay - $250,000 was added for water system improvements in East Smithfield. Mr. Credle explained that these funds would be used for a mater plan Public Utilities Director Ted Credle highlighted some line items in the Water /Sewer  vacation ors sickness. Mr. Credle stated he was anticipatinga  maintenance issues att the plant. involving the SCADA system. and design along Brogden Road.  b. Water/Sewer Fund  Department's proposed FY21-22 budget. They are asi follows: Salaries - One new pump station mechanic was proposed. Training and Education- $1,000 has been addedf for training fori the new Supplies and Operations - 19% increase due tot the increased cost of PVC pipe. Sewage Treatment- - 11%i increase int this line. Johnston County informed the Town last year that they were receiving a reduced cost that the Town was not Capital Outlayi includes the following: $50,000 for manhole rehab, $100,0001 for waterline upgrades, $30,0001 for digitized mapping, $35,000f for the replacement ofav work truck and $200,000 for a generator att the life station. Councilman Scott questioned why meters were still being read by the contract employees. He thought the point of installing the smart meters was to discontinue using the meter reader contract employees. Mr. Credle responded that installing the water meters was more time consuming. A contractor is being used for this and it would be a few years Councilman Barbour questioned the funds budgeted for the manhole rehab project. Mr. Credle explained thata all manholes had been evaluated andi they were systematically being Councilman Barbour questioned why the line locator position was not included in the budget. Town Manager Michael Scott responded he was not comfortable adding this Public Utilities Director Ted Credle highlighted some line itemsi int the Electric Department's  employee.  entitled to. Receive  before allt the water meters were fulling installed and operational.  replaced based on condition.  position. Electric  proposed FY 21-22 budget. They are as follows:  Salaries - Two new electric linemen were being proposed. Fuel- - 10% increase due to the addition ofat truck neededf fort the growth oft the subdivision.  Supplies and Operations - 14% increaser duet tot thei increased cost of copper. East River Supplies - An increase of $70,000 because additional supplies were Service Contracts- $3,000 increase due tot the Asplundh increasing its rates fort tree Capital Outlay includes the following: $30,000 for shelter enclosure and $50,0001 for Town Manager Michael Scotte explained that when he and the Finance Director met with the LGC, three other municipalities were seeking loan approval for purchasing municipal batteries. Mr. Credle explained the batteries were efficient for peakl load shaving. Councilman Scott stated he would like to see more done with the load management  trimming services. Municipal Battery Analysis.  program.    6140  Recess  Councilman Barbour made a motion, seconded by Councilman Wood, tor recess the meeting until Monday, Ap1il26,2021at6.30; pm. The meeting recessed ata approximately 8:3 37pm.  M.A Andy 6  elfh  ATTEST:  rosoparid Shannan L. Parrish, Town Clerk