A "Called Meeting" to discuss the FY 2024-2025 budget was held by the Boydton Town Council on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 5:301 P.M. in the' Town Hall Council Chambers with  Mayor Christopher "Chris" Starke presiding. THOSE PRESENT Christopher "Chris" Starke, Mayor T.G. Gill, Vice Mayor (Absent) Ronny C. Worley W.H. Coleman Paul "Ray" Cherry (Absent) David M. Crowder Bill Thompson Rhita M. Burton, Deputy Clerk Shirley S. Bowen, MMC, Clerk of Council  GUESTS  R. H. Park III, WWTP Operator John Roberts, Maintenance Supervisor  Mayor Starke opened the "called" meeting regarding the FY 2024-2025 budget to order. Mrs. Shirley Bowen, Clerk of Council and Treasurer, provided the councilmen and mayor with new "projected" amounts in each line item of the budget, and explained how the computer calculates those: figures from April through June, and how she carefully calculated the "requested" amounts using those figures in order to show how the new FY 2024-2025 annual budget would look. All of these figures were discussed, as well as, rate increases, new department requests, salary increases, along with the possibility of adding commercial and industrial rates. These "new additional rates" to be added, would still have to be discussed and fair rates decided upon (according to the law) at a later date. Also, an ordinance to establish commercial and industrial rates would need to be drafted and approved first. Afterwards, a public hearing would be held and adopted with these new rates implemented into our books and budget, which would possibly mean having to do an amended budget within the year, if all is agreed upon by the council. The budget meeting continued with the councimen, Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer, and depart- ment heads, looking at each of the town's general ledger fund accounts regarding revenue and expense accounts. Discussion ensued with questions from the council and explanations from Mrs. Bowen being given on some of the accounts. Salaries were also discussed using a 5% increase across the board; however, it was the consensus of the council to make a decision on this at our next town council meeting during a closed session on May 14, 2024. With further discussion of raising our current established rates, Councilman W.H. Coleman moved to increase the current rates. (See attached.) This motion also included giving Mrs. Bowen the council's permission to advertise these rate changes "twice" in a    local newspaper, and it would possibly be in the May 1st and May gth editions of the Mecklenburg Sun newspaper, if agreed upon tonight, with a Public Hearing to bel held at our May 14th meeting, as well, to adopt these new rates. Councilman Bill Thompson  seconded the motion, with all remaining members voting in favor.  Following protocol, the FY 2024-2025 budget, only has to be published "once" in a local newspaper for a "Public Hearing" to be held on the day set by the council, for comments from the public and the new budget's approval. At least seven (7) days after the Public Hearing, (according to the Virginia Code $15.2-2503) the date would be scheduled for adoption of the new FY 2024-2025 budget. This is done in order to be in compliance for the With no further question, comments, or concerns, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.  new Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget, taking effect on July 1,2024.  Shirley S. Bowen, MMC Clerk of Council & Treasurer April 23, 2024  Christopher D. Starke Mayor