MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF Page 7 THE TOWN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN OF WILLIAMSTON, NC April 17, 2025 The Board of Commissioners of the Town of Williamston met in a regular called meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Assembly Room at 102 East Main Street, Williamston, NC. PRESENT Mayor: Dean McCall Commissioners: Alton Moore, Ruth Coffield, David Richmond, Anthony Gianpoalo, and Glinda Fox Town Administrator: Travis Cowan Town Clerk: Jackie Escobar Finance Officer: Mandy Bullock Police Chief: Beth Coltrain Public Works Director: Stacy Stalls Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Brownfield Planning and Downtown Marketing Coordinator: LaShonda Cartwright Fire Chief: Michael Peaks Parks and Recreation Director: Allen Overby Town Attorney: Watsi Sutton ABSENT CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION Mayor Dean McCall called thei meeting to order. First, Commissioner Coffield led thel Pledge of Allegiance, and then Commissioner Moore offered the invocation. AGENDA APPROVED Commissioner Richmondi moved, Commissioner Moore seconded, and the regular agenda was unanimously amended. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Moore moved it, seconded it by Commissioner Coffield, and unanimously approved the consent agenda. Items approved in the Consent Agenda are as follows: 1) Budget Amendment: Lead Line Loan Payment Opening Remarks for Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget The Town Administrator reported it was the first opportunity to discuss the draft budget. Each board member was provided an agenda packet and Non-Profit Funding material. The proposed budget is balanced but will need tweaks. The department heads worked together to compromise and cut from their budgets, while taking into account the town's needs and board requests. For example, when the budget was off by $140,000, department heads strategized to balance the budget. Open Discussion of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Non-Profit Funding Applications The Town Administrator reported that the new dynamic application ensures legal compliance as suggested by the. Attorney. All applicants who submitted in the first round resubmitted their applications. The funding requests are as follows: Commissioner Glinda Fox recused herselffrom the discussion at 2:35 pm due to her involvement with the Martin County. Arts Council. Page 8 Amvets Post 227 $5,000 Martin County Chamber of Commerce $2,500 EJ Hayes Alumni Center $15,731.30 Martin County Arts Council $6,575 Martin County Historical Society $1,500 District 2 Recovery Court $5,000 Boys & Girls Club of the Coastal Plains $30,000 The requests total about $66,306.30, but there is only $36,000 available. After much discussion, the Board agreed to approve the small amounts and divide the remaining amount amongst the larger requestors. Commissioner Richmond moved, Commissioner Coffield seconded to approve $5,000 for the Amvets Post 227, $2,500for the Martin County Chamber ofCommerce, $7,712for the EJ Hayes Alumni Center, $6,575 for the Martin County.Arts Council, $1,500for the Martin County Historical Society, $5,000for. the District 2 Recovery Court, and $7,712 for the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastal Plains. The motion passed with three infavor and Commissioner Gianpoalo opposed. Commissioner Glinda Fox reentered the meeting at 3:26 pm. 2025-2026 Budget Revenues for the General Fund are projected to come primarily from property taxes, local option sales taxes, recreation fees, cemetery lot sales, EMS billing, and investment income. The proposed budget projects property tax revenues based on an 87.9% collection rate, consistent with the most recent rate from the County Tax Collector. Sales tax revenues are projected using guidance from the North Carolina League of Municipalities and account for various sources, including utility sales tax, beer and wine tax, and telecommunications and video franchise fees. Recreation and EMS fees are also expected to remain steady based on historical averages. The Board discussed planned General Fund expenditures, which include personnel services, operating expenses, administrative costs, and capital outlay. The budget proposes a 3% cost-of- living increase for all Town employees. It reflects a 2.57% decrease in medical insurance premiums, a 21% decrease in dental insurance premiums, and a 4% decrease in vision insurance premiums. However, property and liability insurance costs are projected to rise by approximately 11%. Significant departmental highlights include the planned purchase of two police vehicles and a license plate reader system for the Police Department, equipment upgrades for the Fire Department, Parks and Recreation's resurfacing of the tennis courts, and capital improvements such as the replacement of gas pumps at the Public Works Building and partial remodeling ofthe Town Hall kitchen. The Town Administrator noted the Town Board training budget changed from $1,500 to $2,000 each. He requested a consensus or permission to move money from one commissioner to another when possible. The board agreed. The cultural budget included money allotted for Christmas décor. The board agreed to add additional money to the Christmas décor budget. The cultural budget also included an additional $1,000 for the Martin Memorial Library, which the Board agreed not to provide, and instead place in the Christmas décor budget. Page 9 The Enterprise Fund was also reviewed, with projected water and sewer revenues based on current user rates. Planned expenditures include continued investment in professional IT services, the purchase of a replacement vehicle for Sewer operations, completion of the Lead Line Service Project, and continued loan repayments for system improvements, including the SCADA system. The Board also reviewed Powell Bill funds, which are reserved for roadway maintenance and improvements, and stormwater funds, which will be used for debt repayment and setting aside funds for future stormwater projects. Commissioner Richmond questioned if pickleball courts were a possibility. The Town Administrator noted that the Parks and Recreation Director could better answer the question, but that it would most likely be part of the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive plan. The Town Administrator reported that the May agenda packet will include a job description for the Project Manager/Human Resources Assistant position to be added to the Town's pay scale. Town staff have seen the importance of tracking projects in one place. There are $8 million in active grants, and there could be about $20 million in the next five years. The budget includes money for that position. Staff reminded the Board that this workshop was informational only, with no action required at this time. The Board will have additional opportunities to review and discuss the proposed budget during scheduled workshops in May and June prior to its final adoption. The Board thanked department heads, the finance department, and the Town Administrator for the balanced budget. There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Richmond, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously declared the meeting adjourned at 5:18 pm. Submitted By: Approved By: CoNlaD (Town Clerk Qpanlafufe Mayor