STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF MCDOWELL CITY OF MARION The City Council fori the City ofMarion met in Regular Session on Tuesday evening, June 3, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at the Marion Community Building, located at 191 North Main Street in Marion. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Stephen Little, Council Members Billy Martin, Chet Effler, and Ann Harkey. Mayor Pro Tem Ramsey was absent due to vacation, OTHERS PRESENT: Woody Ayers, City Manager; Brant Sikes, Public Works Director; Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton; Jason Cochran, IT Director; Allen Lawrence, Police Chief; Crystal Young, Finance Director; Kathleen Nolan, Human Resources Director; Katelyn Stinson, Assistant to Manager/City Clerk; Mike Conley, Reporter, McDowell News. GUESTS PRESENT: Family and friends ofCrystal and Allen Ledbetter; Candice Workman; and Marlin Brinkley, McDowell Public Library. CONSENTAGENDA: Upon a motion by Council Member Effler, seconded by CouncilMember Martin, all Council Members voted unanimously to approve Consent Agenda Items as follows: A. Approval of July 4th Celebration Fireworks B. Approval of the 2024-2025 Contract for Independent Auditing Services 1 LGC-205 CONTRACT TO AUDIT ACCOUNTS Rev. 12/2024 FEES FOR AUDIT SERVICES 1. For all non-attest services, the Auditor shall adhere to the independence rules of the AICPA Professlonal Code of Conduct (as applicable) and Govemment Auditing Slandards.,2018 Revision. Refer fo ttem 27 of this contract for spocific raqulrements. The following information must bo providod by the Auditor; contracis prosonted toi the LGC without this information will be not be approved. Financial statemenis were prapared by: Auditor JGovernmental Unlt Third Party If applicable: individual at Governmental Unit designated to have the sultable sklls, knowledge, andior exparience (SKE) necessary to oversee the non-attest services and accept responsibility for tho results of these services: Neme: Tide and Unt/Company: Email Ackross: CRYSTAL YOUNG FINANCE DIRECTOR gyoung@matiommeors ORI NotApplioablo (Idontificalion of SKE indivickuate an the LGC-205 Contract ist not appcabko for GAAS-any auiis or audie with FYES prforto. June 30. 2020.) 2.1 Fees may not be included in this contract for work perfommed on Annual Financial information Reports (AFIRS). Form 990s, or other services not assoclaled vith audit fees and costs. Such fees may bei inpluded In the engagement letter but may not bo includod in this contract or In any invoices requiring approval of tho LGG, See itoms 8 and 13 for dotalls on other allowable and excluded fees. 3. The audit fes Information Included in the table below for both the Primary Goverment Fees and the DPCU Fees (F applicable) should be reported as a specifiç dollar amount of audit fees for the year under this contract. If any language other than an amount is Included here, the contract will be returned to the audit fomm for correction. 4, Prior to the submission of the complated audited financial report and applicable compliance reports subject to this contract, arto an amendment to this contract (If required) the Auditor may submit interim Invoices for approval for services rendored under this contract to the Secretary of the LGC, not to exceed 75% of the bilings for the unit's last annusl audit that was submitted to the Secretary of the LGC. AIl invoices for services fendered in an audit engagement as defined In 201 NCAC .0503 shall be submitted to the Commission for approval before any payment Is made. Payment bafore approval is a violation of law. (This paragraph not applicable to confracis and invoices associated wilh audits of hospltals). Primary Goverment Unit CITY OP MARION Audit Fes (fnanclal and compllance Ife applicable) Is 24,093.75 Foo por Mojor Program (ifr not! included above) $ Additional Feos Not! Included Above (Ita applicable): Financial Statement Preparation (ncl notos andi RSU s 8,031.25 All Other Non-Attest Services s TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED s 32,125 Diacretely Presented Component Unit Audit Fon (financiaf and complance f applicable) $ Foa per Major Program (f not included above) $ Additional Foes Not Included Above (If applicable): Financla! Statement Proparation (nol. notes and RSD S All Other Non-Altost Sorvloos $ TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $ Page7 2 LGC-205 CONTRACT TO AUDIT ACCOUNTS Rev. 12/2024 SIGNATURE PAGE AUDIT FIRM Audit Firm* S, GILLESPIE, PA Authorized Firm Representative (lyped or printed) Signature" SHARON GILIBSPIE Date" Emall Address" 04/29/25 hamgllay.@walyuant GOVERNMENTAL UNIT Govornmontal Unit" CITY OP MARION Date Governing Board Apptoved Audit Contract (Enter date In hox to right) Mayor/Chalmparson (typed or printed) Sigpaturey STEVBLITTLE Date EmalAddross" ahitiemarionne.arg Chair of Audit Committee (lyped or printed. or "NA) Signature NA Date Emall Address GOVERNMENTAL UNIT - PRE-AUDIT CERTIFICATE Required by G.S. 159-28(a1) or G.S. 115C-441(a1), Not applicable to hospital contracts. This Astrmment has beon pre-auditedh in the mamerrequired. by The Local Govemment Budget and Fiscal Control Act ark by the School Budget and Fiscal Contol Act. Sum Obligated by This Transaction: $ 32,125 Primary Govemmental Unit Flnance Olficer* drecpand Signature" CRYSTAL YOUNG Date aff Pre-Audit Certificate* Emaill Address" cyoung@marionc.org Page 8 3 4.GC-205 CONTRACT TO AUDIT ACCOUNTS Rev. 122024 SIGNATURE PAGE DPCU (complete only If appliçable) DISCRETELY PRESENTED COMPONENT UNIT DPCU" Dato DPCU Goveming Board Approvod Audit Contract" (Entor dato in box to right) DPCU Chalrperson (lyped or printed)" Signalure" Date"" Email Addross" Chair of Audit Committes (fyped ar printed, or "NA") Signature Date Email Address DPCU - PRE-AUDIT CERTIFICATE Required by G,S. 169-28(a1) or G.S. 115C-441(a1).Not: applicable to hospltal contracts. This instrumont! has boen pro-auditedk In the mamer required by The Local Govemment Buiget and Fiscal Control Act or by the Schoo! Budget and Fiscal ContulA Act. Sum Obligated by this Transaction: $ DPCU Finance Officer (typed or printed)" Signalure" Date of Pre-Audit Certificate" Email Address" Remember to print ths form, and obtain all required signatures prior to submission, PRINT Page 9 CITIZEN OF THE MONTH Council Member Harkey gave the following presentation: 4 Jinesns aAllen Ledhefer. EbI Properties MayprLti, Membersof PAEIEEN ity, Crysstaland. Allen Adbetfer, familly nDembers.and. insited gues sts Weare ga4lo onor.Ceystal aod AUeb Ledselier.as bur.CHizcns ofthe Mooth. We all Kwataland Allen, : Led beter. 2023 MaACmmppna Madon. Puisiness Aspcigton.boaid, Member. Eveofs, Commitict, Eyeeutatiye. Commitre. Mouptayp Glary Eestiva Commiflee, and JA5 t recently thevy. Maluntcered ith. Mc Dowell Emergehcy Srsices ta belpceliter meals Lo Deiny hbors inagdground McDowe Dounty sucina Hurricant Helune. are Supp artersof their fenants a adyocates, for shaplacal. According o locals," Dositive amaigs Dunof, Dey sive theic mpst precious ESOMC C tihe and. Ser4 Y le sioh. was who arethey recal Ay B na Couple Duying, 6 Liotahe DuL 19H9 built o 1900 found.out. 5 2) Aceurding to Crystal,"In 2018 Allen, wo is +he entpiehcur.and me who i5 how are, W e to do this met in. the middle. Bie9 caysT. tbink. would li Keto. buy abold Duilding io qoutepaNpes would be investment and prnject gere The Bo bbi-H A.3E9 Qame, P e oae on November ZB. Aceording. to. Crystal, we were Doth.on ouf compufers in. oeperate roomsI clicked. on,properities in Mario Aand the Bobbit Duilding poppedap walked into -the cobo here. Alien. was ond - Said, Look. what foundHe. arned, bis.conputes aroun d. andsaid OK NE called, and.went. to. lookatit, We pought the bulldipg in ZozL Asthis. the process. of e2 up pn Der bui gEs lcy wishes' whitebogrd afhe Jook at W Dendays gre s Enao bard. read, Making3 this uilding bock info.sarhething &er andMarion. pan be proud of I IDe Secpag flool was full - oftrash.We spe at Fel bruary and March removing. alL. the debcis We look. H4,000 pouoels totbe lound. filt, accocciog to Crystal. SDe continues, bis. eld buil Igling 1s geingtege C brough a majer-Imasfumhtic. We 6 WEgre . ng phimelain the light agoir rehoen. ber whafa handsome y be. Aluayys has been: We.. Could G6 ds * past peeking ptfron. ehtod plaster walls and brickdp, windows Doorwypys thect once. were. bricked. up and paltgrmsewy emember me I waS DDcE ERIg DRre E Continues, As worki on. pything the-sever. EEEAkeS 3 windouos could almost Deaz. the buildigg RYC decp bryath. ike it WOS sturting to wakep from. lonb DA i "Ihe ebristhas trge. that ca. DEsSeen. in. athe newly nsfgrdw.ngees a the Second. floer ot this histopic WOs Allens idea e waots.t o. d.e gKStass fron, the Le btfers.saying 1 E * E Merr, Cbeisstoas, Day yor. be Alled wih.appibess aod. outsisle ibe BbpHt uu LDG hod ooto 1e Stree s E the Socia Distcict. lpy of Happipes, calls t. puré maai alou Tapanese 3 repi Lrs / bles aert work, oitec S. Corobo le games. A - 6 LE EL) Ase 7 Tope andenjeytng timc ARtAPRga gnd Allen Coptioue tu bok ho 7 fature cf their 124. years. "We nhat ELA9 his fo. Carry 6. 1t5 Tradition DP small Lus/0655 quonens.who are AEAAALLn aaphur friends busipess A123 fothg Raturt Crystgl. ixe aartmosen 1 IAA3 fhe Second Fopty 5.4 qupte bums, up theirfutur We ArK bul flevible Slubborh.. oA gurgoal, aboutoar 1 Datl h Conpratyations Crystalapd AtlcA Ledbetter, Cizchs. af tbe Month PRESENTATION OF RECOMMENDED FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 CITY BUDGET City Manager Ayers briefly summarized the recommended City Budget for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026. Council Member Harkey thanked all staffi involved with the budget creation. Mayor Little stated his first year on City Council was 1985 and they had a graded system where you got discounts the larger amount of water you use, mayor Little explained he is proud of the reversal happening to where conservation is encouraged with lower rates. Mayor Little then explained our water and sewer rates are still significantly lower than surrounding cities and counties. Mayor Little then noted that FEMA has awarded $24,261,000 in individual assistance to McDowell County for Hurricane Helene. 8 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Little asked Mrs. Stinson ifthere were any guests signed up for the Public Comment Period. Having two, Mrs. Stinson called forward the first citizen, Marlin Brinkley, to speak under Public Comment. Marlin Brinkley from the McDowell Public Library announced that the Summer Reading Program will kick off on Monday, June 9th at 2:00 p.m. with the theme "Color Your World.' " Mr. Brinkley shared that the kickoff celebration will feature a magician and expressed gratitude to the City for its continued support of the library through Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Mrs. Stinson then called forward Candice Workman to speak under Public Comment, Ms. Workman, also with the McDowell Public Library, shared an update on the McDowell Strong Community Archive project. Ms. Workman reiterated the importance of collecting information and photos related to Hurricane Helene for archival purposes. Ms. Workman stated the goal is to create an online database to preserve and share this history with the community. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WITH COMMUNITY FORUMS Upon a motion by Council Member Effler, seconded by Council Member Harkey, all Council Members voted unanimously to approve the scheduling oft the annual City Council Meetings with Community Forums. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Ayers gave the following report to council: Mr. Ayers stated that McDowell High School Graduation will take place this Friday, followed by the Livermush Festival and the City of Marion Ribbon Cutting on Saturday. Mr. Ayers announced that Corbin, an intern from NC State, began on May 27th, and that Lead for NC Fellow Joseph Veja will be joining the City in August. Mr. Ayers noted that retail sales remained positive for March, though not at the same level as earlier in the year, and he expects April sales to be down again due to several contributing tactors. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS Council Member Martin had nothing further to share. Council Member Effler announced he would see City Staff at the upcoming Livermush Festival. Council Member Harkey had nothing further to share. Mayor Little noted the Trails and Trains Festival will be running from 10am-4pm on Saturday in Old Fort. 9 MEETING ADJOURNMENT Mayor Little thanked everyone in attendance. Upon a motion by Council Member Martin, seconded by Council Member Effler, the meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m. A K STEPHEN R. LITTLE, MAYOR ATTEST: - N a alik Slaon KATELYN R. STISON, ASSISTANT TO MANAGER/CITY CLERK SeL ROLINA 10