521/24,11:02AM  City Council Special Meeting  HITE  1833  MINUTES  City Council Special Meeting 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2024 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472  The City Council Special Meeting of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472.  1)  ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, and Vickie Pait  None.  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Heather Dowless, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Travis Faulk, Public Works Director; Nathan Guyton, Wastewater Treatment Director; Allen High, Revenue Assurance Supervisor; Douglas Ipock, Police Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency  Services Director; CALLTOORDER BUDGETI WORKSHOP  2) 3)  Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 4:30 p.m.  Mr. Brown introduced Allen High, Revenue Assurance Supervisor, to Council. Mr. Brown stated Mr. High was new to the Finance Department and was helping both Mr. Brown and Michelle Hoffman, Assistant Finance Director. 3.1) Public Works Presentation by Travis Faulk, Public Works Director  Travis Faulk, Public Works Director, presented Council with the Public Works Department's requests for the FY 2024-2025 Budget. Mr. Faulk reviewed projects involving street repairs, paving, and patching. The Powell Bill funds will be utilized for these projects. Council Member Holden asked Mr. Faulk how many streets were in Whiteville, to which Mr. Faulk replied there were 128 named streets. It was noted some of the projects would include more than one street. Capital Outlay needs were noted. These items included a jet truck and a pull-behind unit. There was further discussion regarding the Powell Bill. Mr. Currie stated the North Carolina Department of Transportation had changed its formulary, with specific stipulations on jurisdictions with over 5,000 residents. It was stated that during the 2020 Census, Whiteville had around 4,600-4,700 residents. Mr. Currie noted that the last census took place during COVID and that no door-to-door was done during that time. These last census results showed a drop below 5,000 residents for Whiteville; however, it was noted this may not be accurate. If the Powell Bill money can be saved, the City can pave more at one time. This would help with special mobilization costs, which are the same for Mr. Faulk stated the first six months an employee is with the Department, that employee is in training. A two-year contract is then signed. However, after that time, many of these employees move on to  The last unit was bought in 2012.  both small and large projects.  companies that offer more pay per hour.  httns-/lwhiteville aranicus com/MinutasVinwar: nhn?clin id=251Rdoc  1/3    5/21/24, 11:02AM  City Council SpecialN Meeting  3.2) Wastewater Treatment Presentation by Nathan Guyton, Wastewater  Treatment Director  Nathan Guyton, Wastewater Treatment Director, presented Council with the Wastewater Treatment Department's requests for the FY 2024-2025 Budget. Mr. Guyton stated there was a need for back-up mixers, as well as back-up effluent pumps. Both of these needs are critical. It was noted the pumps themselves are around $55,000 each. Mr. Currie stated the City was required to have these back-ups. Mayor Mann asked Mr. Guyton about the price of chemicals. Mr. Guyton responded these prices have been steady, but would be increasing at some point. Mr. Brown presented Council with information regarding the FYE2025 Requested Budget. The upcoming budget year is the 5th year of the Property Tax Valuation Cycle. Mr. Brown reviewed the General Fund Revenue andi its projected increases. The requested budget information for Sanitation was reviewed, as well as the Mollies Branch II Construction Project completion. A possible 3-percent increase was discussed for Sanitation. Mr. Brown noted the City's expenditures for the Mollie Branch project came in around $469K under cost, which is a When reviewing the requested budget for Sewer, Council was shown how the City's rates compared with other areas within a 50-mile radius. This comparison was done utilizing the North Carolina Water and Wastewater Rates Dashboard. It was noted the information contained in this dashboard was current information. A possible 4.5-percent increase was discussed for Sewer. When reviewing the budget for Water, a possible 7.5-percent increase was discussed. When reviewing the budget for Stormwater, a possible 8-percent increase was discussed. Mayor Mann inquired about Columbus County's software, and asked whether this information could be used to determine impervious surface and stormwater fees to commercial locations. It was responded that this may be a possibility. The requested budget for the Powell Bill was discussed as well. These funds have to be dispersed every five years. It was noted these funds are used for paving projects. The requested budget for WDDC was discussed. Council Member Holden inquired about the $4,000 noted for Schools and Training. It was responded this training is required for the City's Main Street Accreditation. Both Madison Ward, Economic Development Director, and Robert Lewis, Planning Director, must attend these trainings. This was placed in Ms. Ward's budget this year, as it was placed in Mr. Lewis' The requested budget for Vineland was discussed. Mr. Brown noted the $40,000 requested in this Capital Outlay Fund is for painting of the facility. Council Member Holden inquired about the number of staff for Economic Development, WDDC, and Vineland. Mr. Brown clarified there are two staff members that work together to complete the work for these areas. These individuals are Madison Ward, Economic Development Director, and Emily Cross, Event and Rental Coordinator. Mr. Brown stated Vineland would not reflect the full benefit of the new booking rates until 2026. After an inquiry by Mayor Pro Tem Williamson, itwas clarified that there is roughly $10K spent on group insurance per Mr. Brown reviewed the Capital Expenditure Requests for all Mayor Mann inquired if a Cost of Living Adjustment - COLA was built into the upcoming budget, to which Mr. Brown responded it was. Mr. Currie stated there had been more development along the bypass and an increase in housing. Itwas noted it would take a year or more to affect the tax base. Inflationary factors have hit the City hard. It was noted that with Mr. High now on board, the City is working to capture every dime it can capture. There are no ARP funds available this year. Mr. Currie stated the last area tol be cut would be employees.  savings to the citizens.  budget last year.  employee.  departments within the City of Whiteville.  4) nranicus  ADJOURNMENT  httns:/  nhn?clin id=251Rdoc -AMATOT-1774114th9A1-A0SASRIANA  2/3    5/21/24, 11:02AM  City Council Special Meeting  Mayor Mann adjourned the Budget Workshop.  Taplor  Terryl L. Mann, MAYOR  AenthrSuCn Heather Dowless, CITY CLERK  nranirne  3/3