TOWN OF STOKESDALE REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 8325 ANGEL PARDUE ROAD STOKESDALE, NC27357 Dsamber12,2019AT7PM  I. II.  Call to Order: Mayor Flynt Invocation: Bruce Angel  III. Pledge of Allegiance: Lead byl Mayor Flynt  IV. Review and Adopt the Agenda: Tim. Jones asked to add Public Comments back to the end of  meetings. Mayor Flynt agreed to add the comments to the end ofr meeting.  VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Deanna Ragan: Yes  Frank Bruno: Yes Tim. Jones: Yes  V.  Public Safety Reports:  Guilford County Sheriff's Dept. Sgt. Marshall District 1 had 59 calls for service in November. 1automobile accident, 2 burglaries, an aggravated assault, and 1 rape among those calls. Deputy reminded everyone to make arrangements for packages delivered tot their homes to be put in a less visible place or asked someone to receive it fori them that porch piratesare Stokesdale Fire Department: Chief Gauldin reported 66 service calls in Stokesdale. 25 were fire calls, 41 medical. His reminder was this is the holiday season. Be mindful of where you place your Christmas trees, be careful to check your outlets and extension cords to make sure they are in good working order and aren'toverloaded. Unplug your lights at night VII. Board & Administrative Report: Frank Bruno thanked the events committee and staff of Town Hall, the Bethel Middle School Band and the Stokesdale Methodist Church Choirs for the wonderful music and Santa for their help in pulling off a successful Christmas Tree VIII. Financials: Budget Officer Kim Thacker reported the Town has total assets of $2,918,6891 in the general fund account, $827,020 in the water enterprise account, and $764,073 in the IX. Citizen's Comments from the Floor (3-minute Limit per Speaker): Terry Hedenskog introduced himself as President ofi the Stokesdale Parks and Recreation Association and said he wants to develop: as stronger relationship with the Town. Basketball Season is underway, and he is inviting Council Members to come and attend some of the games.  becoming a trend.  VI.  before you go to bed.  lighting with the largest crowd we have ever had attend. water-sewer fund account. copies are available at Town Hall.  Book 13  Page 3474    1. Presentation of the 2019-2020 Audit by Rouse, Rouse, Gardnerand Rouse: Rex Rouse of Rouse, Rouse, Rouse & Gardner, presented the annual audit report. As of the fiscal year ending. June 30, the Town'stotal assets exceeded liabilities by $9,746,844; the Town has no outstanding debt. The unassigned (not committed to a budget item) fund balance was $2,944,548, or 694 percent oft total general fund expenses fort the fiscal year. Capital assets total $2,145,050 and consist of land, buildings, improvements other than buildings, equipment andi furniture. It was noted in the audit report that there are six major subdivisions under development in Stokesdale and there wasa significant increase in water customers and infrastructure extensions over the last fiscal year. The Town's general fund actual expenses exceeded budgeted expenses by $56,306, Rouse noted. The utilities franchise taxi for the 2018-19 fiscal year provided $445,600, or 71.3 percent of the Town's annual revenue last fiscal year; beer and wine tax provided: $26,000. Actual operating expenses for thei fiscal year were $424,495, compared to $371,884 budgeted, Rouse noted. About $23,000 oft the unbudgeted expenses was in the Parks and Recreation category, $20,000 additional for capital outlay and about $6,500 additional in the library and education category. "This town in al lot of ways can: serve as a model to other towns," Rouse said. "You have no long-term debt; no bonds and you levy no property tax."T Tim. Jones stated the Town had $56,399. more ina actual expenses than the budget allowed. He asked Mr. Rouse how much the Town was allowed to go over budget? Mr. Rouse answer not anything. Regarding a $75,000 expense the Town incurred to repair a water line after damage from al hurricane in the fall of 2018, Flynt said, "We filed a report with FEMA in December 2018 requesting the reimbursement. They kept telling us it was on the way. We thought it was coming by June 30, but it didn't (it arrived in September) : When yous start talking about budgeting for an emergency, there isn't any way you can plan for that."" "But you understand the importance in going forward?" Rouse asked. "Yes," Flynt responded. "That's my fault and no one else's." A copy oft the approved. Audit by the Local Government Commission 2. Recognition of Outgoing Council Members and Presentation of their Proclamations Mayor Flynt recognized and presented Proclamations to commend the work and dedication that the 3 leaving council members have done for the Town during their  isc on file at Town Halli for anyone who wishes to review it.  tenure. Frank Bruno, Deanna Ragan, and Tim. Jones.  3. Passing the Gavel to the New Incoming Council Members and Swearing in Ceremony Newly elected council members Derek Foy, Jim Rigsbee and. Jimmy Landreth, were sworn into office by Guilford County Superior Court. Judge Stuart Albright. 4. Nomination of Council Member for Mayor Pro-Tem and Swearing in Ceremony: Mayor Flynt and Derek Foy both nominated Thearon Hooks to remain as Mayor Pro Tem  VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Derek Foy: Yes  Jimmy Landreth: Yes Jim Rigsbee: Yes  Book1 13  Page 3475    X.  Old Business:  1. Discussion of Water Feasibility Study findings and Allocation of Funds. Adoption of Resolution. Mayor Flynt read a Resolution that was put together by Sebastian King with oversite from Mayor Flynt of Stokesdale, Mayor Dunham of Summerfield, and Mayor Sullivan of Oak Ridge. Mayor Flynt acknowledged N.C. Rep.. John Faircloth and Sebastian King, a candidate for the state senate, for their work to puta a proposal before the state legislature requesting the remainder of $3.61 million budgeted for a regional water authority be reallocated to the towns of Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Summerfield to each pursue their own water-related goals. After the towns and unincorporated northwest Guilford County participated in a water feasibility study, Mayor Flynt stated that the numbers didn'twork: for any ofthe towns, especially for us who had a water system already. IfStokesdale were to receive $1.13 million back from the state as requested, it could be used to expand and improve its water system. (Acopy oft the Resolution is on file atTown Hall if anyone would like to review it). Mayor Flynt motioned to adopt the  Resolution. Jimmy Landreth seconded the motion.  VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Derek Foy: Yes  Jimmy Landreth: Yes Jim Rigsbee: Yes  After the vote Mayor Flynt ask Sebastian Kingi if he would like to say at few words. Mr. King said the money previously allocated by the General Assembly is "sitting on the sidelines." "A (regional) water authority would cost $50 or $60 million. knew the towns couldn't afford it," he said. "Plus, people wanted to keepi their wells." He explained the next step is for all three towns' resolutions to go to Raleigh, where the legislature will  vote on whether to reallocate the money as requested.  X.  New Business:  1. Adopt Resolution to add Altavista Drive in Stokesdale, in Guilford County asa Mayor Flynt motioned to adopt the resolution as written. Theron Hooks seconded the  Secondary Road toi the State Maintenance System. motion. Mayor Flynt called for a vote to adopt the resolution.  VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Derek Foy: Yes  Jimmy Landreth: Yes Jim Rigsbee: Yes  2. Discussion and Vote on changes in Staff Benefits for 2020: Because the Town Clerk's personal health insurance plan through ObamaCare is projected to double in cost in 2020, Town Clerk/Finance Officer Alisa Houk has requested that in lieu ofar raise, the Town pay her insurance premium with a new company. Alisa researched and has found health benefits for $531.51 per month, beginning. Jan. 1. The deputy clerk, the Town's only other: full-time employee, was also offered insurance, but is covered under her husband's policy so has declined. Councilman Foy said he didn't agree with providing the insurance as a benefit instead ofar raise, and the council agreed to still considera  Book 13  Page 3476    merit raise for Alisa, next year since she has assumed many more responsibilities. since Thearon Hooks motioned to approve One Share Health Plan at $531.51 per month beginning January: 1, 2020 for the Town Clerk/Finance Officer and clarify that Deputy Clerk Priscilla Hunsucker's husband's plan will not delete her ifs she is offered coverage through One Share and declines it. Derek Foy seconded the motion.  she began working with the Town. coverage, effective. Jan. 1.  VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Derek Foy: Yes  Jimmy Landreth: Yes Jim Rigsbee: Yes  3. Discussion of Auditors suggestion of giving the Finance Officer & Budget Officer authority to move money in the Town's Budget between line items within a department within the budget year. Postponed until. January meeting.  4. Discuss and Vote on Park Grant Process and Survey: Mayor Flynt said several years ago the Town applied fora a matching fund park grant and received $250,000. The Town, which spent more than $250,000 on1 the park, is now considering more park additions and wants to pursue another grant. He said anytime you get 50 cents on the dollar, it'sa good thing. Before applying for the grant, the Town must conduct a park survey sent out to the citizens to find out what kinds oft things they would like to see in the park. Mayor Flynt said wel have been talking about an amphitheater and al basketball court, but we'll let! people decide. Frank Bruno had been working on the survey and grant application; NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund which will award $4 million in grant monies this summer and the Town is hoping for $100,000 of that. Derek Foy asked about doinga a web-based survey but was told PARTF highly recommends the survey be mailed. The council discussed a question on the survey about household income, Mayor Flynt explained that the questions about income were an important part oft the surveyi in determining how much grant money we could qualify for. Council agreed to leave it, but citizens are not required to answer. Mayor Flynt motioned to mail out the parks surveys as soon as possible at a mailing cost not to exceed $1500.00. Thearon Hooks seconded  the motion. VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Derek Foy: Yes  Jimmy Landreth: Yes Jim Rigsbee: Yes  5. Vote to approve updates to Resolution Establishing Monetary Limits to Tagged Town  Inventory. Filli in tomorrow  XI. Closing Comments from Council  Jim Rigsbee thanked everyone for coming, for their support of him in the November election, and said he hoped for "some good positive energy going forward." Derek Foy also thanked his supporters and said while campaigning he learned al lot about citizens' concerns and priorities fori the Town. Citizens expressed a desire to make downtown improvements that will attract more consumers to businesses, they want more  Book: 13  Page 3477    community events, and many were disappointed in a previous council's decision to vote down the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, he said. Park improvements, security, enforcing the Town's ordinances and expanding the Town's water system were also important to citizens. While: some are eager to maintain a $0 property tax rate, others wouldn't mind a modest property tax, Foy noted, and then added prohibiting tractor trailers from using their air brakes while driving through the scenic corridor was another priority. Jimmy Landreth said he favored keeping at three-minute period for citizen comments near both the beginning and end of each monthly meeting. Stokesdale is a model town as faras government goes," he said. "We have no tax, a park, at town hall and money in the bank. We can't do everything at one time, but we can do al little this year and next year." Thearon Hooks reminded everyone oft the upcoming Christmas parade and said the weekly Mayor Flynt said the Town would receive a report from Hazen & Sawyer, the engineer firm XII. Adjournment: Mayor Flynt motioned to adjourn at! 9:15pm. Jimmy Landreth seconded the  farmers market would return to the park earlier next year. that conducted al Hydraulic study for the Town in early. January.  motion. XIll. VOTE: Mayor Flynt: Yes Thearon Hooks:Yes Derek Foy: Yes  Jimmy Landreth: Yes Jim Rigsbee: Yes  Minutes approved! in. January9,20201 Town Council meeting.  pA  Mayor  Town Clerk  Didhe  Book: 13  Page 3478