Glen Alpine Board of Alderman Budget Hearing/Town Meeting Minutes Clerk Lalonde, Attorney Denton June 14, 2021, at 5:30pm  Members Present: Mayor Benfield, R. Cox, G. Meise, T. Helms, T.Suttles,  2021/2022 Budget Public Hearing Call to Order- Mayor Benfield at 5:30pm Public Comments-Christy Ramsey-see attached.  Hearing closed at 5:40pm  Regular Meeting 6:00pm  CALL - TO ORDER-Mayor Benfield INVOCATION-Moment of Silence PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  APPROVAL OF AGENDA-Motion made by Meise to approve agenda; APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS-Motion made by Cox to  passed 4-0  approve dept reports; passed 4-0  APPROVAL OF MINUTES-Motion made by Suttles to approve minutes;  passed 4-0 PUBLIC COMMENTS-  Reid Scott-Mr. Scott states that things need to be done differently, if someone donates items to the Town they should be used not sold or given back if the Town isn't going to use them. He states that no one  should be parking in the handicapped parking space.  OLD BUSINESS:  PW Dump Trucks Order new/dispose of old    Sewer Surcharge  July 4th details--Parade will start on Pea Ridge St  NEW BUSINESS: Radio purchase- Fire Chief ITEMS FOR DECISION:  21/22Budget-Motion made by Helms to pass 21/22 budget; passed 3-1 Order new dump truck-Motion made by Helms to order the new dump Disposal of old dump truck-Motion made by Suttles to table the Sewer Surcharge-Motion made by Helms to add $1 surcharge to sewer Radio purchase- FD- Motion made by Cox to purchase Kenwood radios  with Cox voting against the budget.  truck; passed 4-0  disposal until after new truck arrives; passed 4-0  customers; passed 4-0  for Fire Department; passed 4-0  Motion made by Cox to adjourn; passed 4-0 Meeting adjourned at 6:40pm    lwanted to touch again on how effectively Glen Alpine ran during the pandemic and encourage You all to rethink the employees raises and give them all the 3%. When someone without a high school diploma can go and get a job with a sign on bonus and be begged to make tacos...surely our small town can afford a3 3 percent raise for our employees who chose to work during a pandemic. With a government that wants to offer people incentives to return to work instead of drawing unemployment we all have to ask ourselves... what is the value of a dedicated employee? Is the 3 % not worth the satisfaction of knowing our town has ran smoothly for the last year and a half in what could be one of if not the craziest of times some of us will see before we die? What is all boils down to is You cannot buy the type of loyalty they provided during a time when our nation was in crises...so what's 3% to help these  people cover the cost of living increase?  This board needs to continue to work hard to make sure the town's best interest is in mind. Let the new board coming in try to lower taxes and know You all had a part in that. We all want to pay less taxes but the tax cut will in affect be minimal to most while the raises being a percent higher will show to these    employees they are valued. I for one want to continue to live in a town where most people can breathe a breath of fresh air knowing they are protected from fire and crime and that their town is maintained well. Itis more than just the bottom line at times. At times, it's the decision to do the right thing instead of the easy thing. Thanks for Your  time!