Budget Work Session Meeting Minutes The meeting of the Pocomoke City Mayor and Council was held in Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Present: Mayor: Todd Nock Council Members: Diane Downing, S. Tull Brooke Cottman Interim City Manager: Brandy Matthews City Clerk: Melinda Stafford Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer, Call to Order Mayor Nock performs a roll call. Council member Holland is unable to join. Counciwoman Downing = present, Councilwoman Tull = present, Counciwoman Cottman = present, Council member Marshall is unable to join. Confirm Donations Finance Director Brandy Matthews wanted to go over the list of donations. The first one is two for the high school, one is for the banners for the graduation and then the second one is for the sad, which is for the prom. The consensus was $500 for the SAD and $500 for the high school senior banners. The next is donations for the Samaritan shelter. It is listed at $10,000. The Mayor is perfectly fine with that and asked for comments. Ms. Matthews instructs the Mayor and Council to look at the last two pages of the provided donations budget, department 850. For the Samaritan Shelter, $1500 is what we gave last year and we budgeted $1,500. It is noted that it was a disservice. The next is the Marva Theater. Their request is $10,000 this year. Previous year budget was $5,000 and was given $5,000. It was to for upgrades and repairs. The next is donations for the parade. Christmas parade at $7,000. This year it was close to $8,000. The consensus is the same amount as last year. The Costen House will be came back to. It is expressed that they cannot rely on donations from the city to operate. It is understood that it's an older group of people that have limited volunteers, but they have to do something to get new members and to fundraise. Next is the Sturgis School, they only requested $3,500 this year. The consensus was approved. Pocomoke Little League is budgeted $1,500 for whatever the cost is to sponsor 2 teams. Whatever is left over, push that back into the general ledger. Life Crisis Center was one of the ones that wasn't heard back from. Their request this year was for $5,000. Last year the city budgeted $4,000 and gave a thousand. Everybody has a consensus of the $5,000. The Cricket Center is requesting $2,000 this year, the same from last year. Worcester County Development Center is requesting $1,000. Councilman Marshall asked if there is anyway that this year's donation can be used like last years donation to buy devices. It was clarified that it was going to be the same. The Boat Docking Challenge is asking for $3,000, the same as last year. It is noted that the Mayor and Council needs to see some financials from the association. It is to be budgeted and the donation held until the financials are provided. Della's Closet for $10,000 and the consensus it yes. It is noted that the Mayor would like to see them go into other places and give out the food. The Discovery Center initially requested $30,000. Mayor and Council begin a conversation about the plan for the Center. The Discovery center pays a dollar a year and the city maintains that bill. The Discovery center still owes $20,000. At this point it was what, 2022, that it was supposed to be paid back completely payback. It is now 2025. Brandy has spoken and met with the new executive director. There is a question of if they have a list of repairs? Then it was clarified that what they're asking for is money for operational expenses. Council discusses forbearance or forgiveness of the debt. Council agreed to table for further discussion. Finalize Rates & Fees Ms. Matthews reviews the proposed changes to the rates and fees. They are: - Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits: Increase from $35 to $50 - Annual ousiness license: Increase from $60 to $100, with failure to obtain increasing from $100 to $200 per 30 days of non-compliance - Restaurant grease trap inspection: Increase from $250 to $350 per inspection (required twice yearly) - Grease trap pump out and cleaning: Increase from $500 to $1,000 - Littering fines: Increase from $25 to $100 for first offense, $50 to $200 for subsequent violations The Council discussed and tentatively approved these changes. Begin General Fund Budget The Council agreed to schedule another work session for department heads to present their budgets via Zoom with PowerPoint presentations. Adjourned at 7:15 pm Approved: City Clerk Agenda items may or may not be considered in sequence. This agenda is subject to change to include the addition or deletion of items, including executive/closed. session.