MINUTES TOWN OF STOKESDALE SPECIAL CALLED TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 8325. ANGEL-PARDUE ROAD STOKESDALE, NC 27357 JUNE 21, 2023. AT 7:00 PM  Member's] present were: Mayor Pro-Tem Derek Foy; Council Members: Jimmy Landreth, Tim Jones, and Jim Rigsbee; Town Attorney Charles H. Winfree; Finance and Budget Officer Kimberly Thacker and Deputy Town Clerk Robbie Lee Wagoner II. (Absent: Mayor Michel E. Crawford and' Town Clerk  Dale F. Martin)  1. Call' To Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation.  Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy called the meeting to order and led thel Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Tim Jones  delivered thei invocation. 2. Review and Adopt the Agenda. seconded the motion.  Councilman Jimmy Landreth made a Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Councilman Jim Rigsbee  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  Motion carried, vote 4-0.  3. Citizen Comments from the Floor (3-Minute Limit per Speaker).  None present. PUBLICI HEARINGS:  4. Continued from June 8, 2023: Public Hearing on Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy opened the public hearing at 7:04pm  No comments presented.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to close the public hearing. Councilman Rigsbee seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  110    Motion carried, vote 4-0. NEW BUSINESS:  5. Consideration and Approval of Operating Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2023-2 2024. Mayor Pro Tem Foy thanked Council and Staff for their input and believed the Town was in a good place in Councilman Jones presented his reservations with the proposed budget due to inclusion of"free" money, grant money. This "free" money has caused the Town to spend more: money than usual and concerned that next year Mayor Pro Tem Foy then compared last year's revenue budget $452,000 with this proposed year's revenue budget $459,000 and believed there to be no "fluff" included in the budget. He acknowledged inflation that is affecting everyone. He addressed that "free money" and their responsibility to: make sure iti is spent wisely to Councilman Rigsbee agreed with the other comments and added that the' Town has been fortunate tol have these additional funds and that the Council has made good use ofthat money: fort the citizens. He noted that without this grant money, the Town has been consistent with thel budget, staffimprovements has run the budget up but Councilman Landreth also complimented work on the budget. This has been without aj property tax for over 30 years. Hei noted that wel have done what we said. Hei is happy with the park improvements built with grant Councilman Jones commented on the Town'sI reserves and asked about the Town's investment earnings. Mrs. Thacker noted that current return rates are between 2.71 and 3.69% and that any CDRS up for renewal are being renewed for 12 months. She added that she was very conservative on the estimate used ini the budget. Mayor Pro Tem Foy made al Motion to adopt the General Fund operating budget for FY23-24 as presented by  regard toi thej proposed budget.  we won't be able to back up.  impact the Town as much as possible and to: minimize any recurring expenses.  benefits the Town.  money. Everything has been done in open meetings and we' ve done a good job.  the Finance Officer Kim Thacker. Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  Motion carried, vote 4-0.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt the Water Enterprise budget for FY 23-24 as presented by the  Finance Officer Kim Thacker. Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  111    Motion carried, vote 4-0. baseball fields.  Consideration ofar request by Stokesdale Parks and Recreation for $50,000 Grant forl lighting at the Mayor Pro Tem Foy spoke on the importance oft the baseball field for our citizens and the need to improve the lighting that has been discussed at previous meetings. He spoke ofthe grant money the Town has received and that the money is to be spent for a public purpose which this request falls within. He presented statistics on the number ofk kids that use these fields, the fund-raising efforts by the organization and his desire to support this community organization. He noted the much higher cost to the Town if the Town were to operate these fields and commended Stokesdale Parks and Recreation for the excellent service they provide to the Town. Councilman Landreth also commended the Stokesdale Parks and Recreation and spoke on thei importance oft the baseball field for this community. This is grant money being spent here and not Town funds. Mayor Pro Tem Foy made al Motion that the Town of Stokesdale participate in ai fundraising campaign the Stokesdale Parks and Recreation, a 501 3C organization, located within the Town of Stokesdale by matching by $2 for every $1 raised by Stokesdale Parks and Recreations specific to this fundraising initiative up to $50,0001 from the Town. That the Town of Stokesdale money be used only for lighting or light poles at the Community Park for baseball and softball games. That Stokesdale Parks and Recreation fundraising initiative conclude by June 1$,2024 to align with the Town's fiscal year budget and that Stokesdale Parks and Recreation provide evidence that funds raised during this time period are specific to this purpose and disbursement oft the grant is contingent upon Stokesdale Parks and Recreation recording the organization's new bylaws and presented to Stokesdale  Town Council on June 14, 2023. Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  Motion carried, vote 4-0.  7. Consideration ofa 3% Cost ofLiving increase for Town Staff.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy and Mrs. Thacker confirmed that the budget allowed for this increase and that it was Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to give all staffr members a 3%1 raise effective. July 1,2023, excluding any staff member who has received aj promotion int the last 3 months. Councilman Rigsbee seconded the motion.  included in the proposed budget.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  Motion carried, vote 4-0.  112    8. Citizen Comments from the Floor (3-Minute Limit per Speaker).  None present. 9. Council Comments.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy thanked everyone for coming out to1 the meeting. Hei thanked staff for preparing this Councilman Rigsbee also thanked everyone for coming out. He asked everyone to pray for the folks in the Councilman Landreth thanked everyone also. He thanked Stokesdale Parks and Recreation for their refforts and thanked staff for their work on the budget. He is happy to live in a town without aj property tax. Councilman Jones thanked thet three citizens at meeting this evening. He hopes the Town will get its share of sales tax distribution back from the county. He remains opposed to charging a property tax. He expressed  budget. submarine.  gratitude to Stokesdale Parks and Recreation Board.  10. Adjournment.  Councilman Jones made a Motion to adjourn at 8:05pm. Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth Aye Councilman Rigsbee Aye  Absent  Mayor Pro' Tem Foy Aye Councilman Jones  Aye  Motion carried, vote 4-0.  Being no further business to come before Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.  Approved: January 11,2024.  ZAELIL Michael E. Crawford, Mayor  ATTEST: Robbie -  ,Town Clerk  ALGE  113