TOWN OF PLYMOUTH SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 24, 2024 -VIA COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND ZOOM  7:00 p.m.  .  CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Brian Roth  PRESENT ABSENT X X X X X X  COUNCILMEMBER  Mayor Roth Mayor Pro-Tempore Tharps Counciwoman Byers Councilwoman Davis Councilwoman Nixon Counciwoman Teel Councilman Wobbleton  X  II.  APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA  III. PUBLIC HEARING  1. 2024-2 2025 Fiscal Year Budget  Mayor Roth asked any attendees that would like to speak to come to the podium and state their name. Mayor Roth stated that the purpose of the Mr. Tom Harrison, Director of Washington County Travel and Tourism spoke and thanked Public Works and Law Enforcement for their assistance with the Black Bear Festival. He addressed the removal of $10,000.00 for the Black Bear Festival, listed the reasons for his request and asked that the funds be Mrs. Sarah Baird-Forner voiced that when she looked over the budget, there seemed to be a lot of fluff money. She had issues with some Public Works equipment and Fleet Maintenance items as well as the Police Department. Mrs. Baird-Forner urged the Council toi take a closer look at the budget. There being no other speakers, Mayor Roth declared the Public Hearing  Public Hearing is for the 2024 - 2025 Fiscal Year Budget.  reinstated.  closed.  June. 24, 20247 Town of Plymouth Speciall Meeting Minutes  Page 1    IV. CONSENT AGENDA  1. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2024 - 2025 Discussion then took place between Councilmembers and Town Manager Floyd. Councilwoman Nixon began by stating that she also sees a lot of things that need to be revamped, as well as fluffing. Councilwoman Nixon also stated that she is not going to approve the budget because it needs tob be looked over again and that she is uncomfortable. She named Fleet, Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement. Councilwoman Nixon asked Town Manager Floyd how long the Council has before the budget needs tobe approved. Town Manager Floyd stated until the end of the week. Councilwoman Teel asked what would happen if the budget were not passed by the 1st. Town Manager Floyd stated that everything will have to be frozen as no money can be spent. There was a short discussion Town Manager Floyd explained that the budget is tight in the Departments except for the Police Department due to it being understaffed. She also stated that when the Councilmembers receive the Budget VS. Actual reports in their monthly agenda packages, the percentages are close, and the new budget is based on what was expended in the current year Counciwoman Nixon asked about Planning and Zoning and Code Enforcement. Town Manager Floyd explained that the Albemarle Commission works with the Town for Planning and Zoning. She also explained that Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Brown's salary comes out of the same Department. Counciwoman Nixon also stated that she wants to discuss salaries in that if employees hold the same position they Councilwoman Davis stated she is not comfortable with the budget as well. She questioned the General Fund, Governing Body, Police Department, Street Department, Special Appropriations, and salaries. Town Manager Floyd answered all of Councilwoman Davis' questions including whether or not the Maritime Museum is a non-profit. Counciwoman Nixon asked if the funds for the Black Bear Festival had been put back into the budget. Town Manager Floyd stated that the Council chose not to use the money for the Festival, but to use the funds in other ways. There was an extensive discussion about funding Promotions for the Black Bear Festival as well as promotion the Town in other ways. During the discussion Counciwoman Byers made a motion to keep $10,000 in the Promotions Fund for the Black Bear Festival with a second by Councilman Wobbleton. Town Manager Floyd stated that staff  BUDGET ORDINANCE  about the purchase of vehicles.  budget.  should be paid at the same grade.  June 24, 2024 Town of Plymouth Speciall Meeting Minutes  Page 2    will ask permission for any expenditures that comes out of the Promotion Funds before it is expended. Councilman Wobbleton then withdrew his second to Councilwoman Byers' motion. Counciwoman Nixon suggested that a Marketing Committee be created and asked Mr. Harrison to work Counciwoman Nixon stated for the record, "I have a little note here that states that any changes that are made within this budget that we as Councilwoman Teel asked how the Town will proceed ifi it does not receive the PARTF Grant. Town Manager Floyd stated that Council allocated funds from the ARP Grant and that allocation can be used as well as moving the $5,000.00 Recreation Funds to contingency and use that as Councilwoman Davis spoke about longevity pay VS. funding the Black Bear Festival which led to a short discussion about employee Christmas Councilwoman Byers talked about salaries and suggested % of the 3% be distributed equally across the board and the other % of 3% for COLA, which led to an extensive discussion. Counciwoman Nixon suggested a salary study comparable to the size of the Town. Councilwoman Teel made a motion to accept the 3% COLA salary increase for employees until the salary study is complete and come back to the table to discuss this issue further, with a second by Councilman Wobbleton. The motion Counciwoman Teel made a motion to accept the budget as it is with second by Counciwoman Nixon. The motion passed 4 - 1 with 2. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENT 2024-11 - ATTORNEY FEES, REGIONAL LANDFILL COST AND WASHINGTON Town Manager Floyd explained that there were additional costs for legal fees and staff are asking to transfer the money from professional services to cover those; and, transfer money from Fund Balance to cover the increased cost for landfill in Sanitation. Councilman Wobbleton made a motion to approve Budget Amendment 2024-11 with a second by  with the Town on that Committee.  Council did not agree on is not our responsibility".  well.  bonuses and longevity pay.  passed 4 - 1 with Counciwoman Byers dissenting.  Councilwoman Byers dissenting.  COUNTY LANDFILL AVAILABILITY COST  Councilwoman Teel. The motion passed unanimously.  June 24, 20247 Town of Plymouth Special Meeting Minutes  Page 3    Councilwoman Teel asked for an explanation about the landfill costs in that citizens are being charged on their taxes. Town Manager Floyd  stated that she will investigate this.  V. CLOSED SESSION  1. Counciwoman Teel made a motion to go into closed session per NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged; 2. NCGS 143-318.11(a)6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. General personnel policy issues may not be considered in a closed session with a second by Counciwoman Nixon. The motion  and,  passed unanimously.  VI. ADJOURMMENT  Councilwoman Teel made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second by  Councilwoman Nixon. The motion passed unanimously.  Respectfully submitted,    Brian A. Roth Mayor  Walau Wallace Clerk  A  June 24, 2024 Town of Plymouth. Speciall Meeting Minutes  Page 4