6/13/25, 3:55 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council 1833 MINUTES Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, and Vickie Pait ABSENT: None. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Heather Dowless, City Clerk; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Paul Rockenbach, Police Chief; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Joseph Williams (The News Reporter) 2) CALL TO ORDER Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 6:30 p.m. 3) INVOCATION Invocation provided by Council Member Clarida. 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Tim Collier MOVED to approve the Adoption of the Agenda. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.1) Consideration for Approval for Minutes for May 27, 2025 (Budget Workshop and City Council Meeting) Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Minutes for the Budget Workshop and City Council Meeting (May 27, 2025). Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 7) PUBLIC COMMENT None 8) PRESENTATION 8.1) Proclamation No. 2025-P-37 - North Carolina High School Athletic Association Track and Field 2A State Champion Serenity Harvey https:whiteville. granicus. com.Minueyemerohondp id=315&doc 6-25019805-488e-11D675005056489546 1/4 6/13/25, 3:55 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council Proclamation No. 2025-P-37 - North Carolina High School Athletic Association Track and Field 2A State Champion Serenity Harvey was presented. This Proclamation recognizes Serenity Harvey, Whiteville High School Student Athlete, for earning Gold at the 2025 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Track and Field 2A State Championship held at A & T University in Greensboro, North Carolina. Serenity won Gold in the 100-Meter Race, 200-Meter Race, and 400-Meter Race. Serenity also won Gold in the 55-Meter Race during the Indoor State Championship in December 2024. Serenity is the first female athlete at Whiteville High School to win a State title in a team or individual sport. Serenity is now a 7-Time State Champion. Mayor Mann presented Serenity Harvey with a framed copy of this Proclamation. A round of applause and standing ovation was given by all in attendance. Mayor Mann and Council congratulated Serenity on her many accomplishments and wished her the best of luck. 9) PUBLIC HEARING 9.1) Public Hearing for the City of Whiteville's FY 2025-2026 Budget Mayor Mann opened the Public Hearing for the City of Whiteville's FY 2025-2026 Budget. The City of Whiteville's Proposed Operating Budget for FY 2025-2026 was delivered to the Mayor and Council on May 27, 2025. The purpose of tonight's Public Hearing is for Council to consider comments from the public regarding citizen interests and community priorities, which may determine possible modifications or adjustments to the proposed budget as submitted for FY 2025-2026. Darren Currie, City Manager, stated the tax rate remains constant in this proposed budget. He noted a major change in this proposed budget involves the City's tax collection process. Columbus County has collected taxes for the City and other municipalities within the county since 2010. Columbus County has now changed its method for collecting taxes, which would equate to a 643% increase in cost to the City. The City of Whiteville will now begin billing and collecting for its own taxes again. The City has already purchased the tax software and has been meeting to establish the process. The proposed Operating Budget and Budget Ordinance includes revenue and expenditure information for the various funds. The General Fund has an anticipated revenue of $7,306,152. The General Fund appropriated expenditures total $7,306,152. The Sewer Fund has an anticipated revenue of $3,580,674. The Sewer Fund appropriated expenditures total $3,497,950. In the Sewer Fund, there is an appropriated contribution to Fund Balance in the amount of $82,724. The Sanitation Fund has an anticipated revenue of $1,931,033. The Sanitation Fund appropriated expenditures total $1,926,331. In the Sanitation Fund, there is an appropriated contribution to Fund Balance in the amount of $4,702. The Water Fund has an anticipated revenue of $1,963,413. The Water Fund appropriated expenditures total $1,963,413. The Storm Water Fund has an anticipated revenue of $330,000. The Storm Water Fund appropriated expenditures total $326,124. In the Storm Water Fund, there is an appropriated contribution to Fund Balance in the amount of $3,876. The Powell Bill Fund has an anticipated revenue of $194,000. The Powell Bill Fund appropriated expenditures total $175,000. In the Powell Bill Fund, there is an appropriated contribution to Fund Balance in the amount of $19,000. The WDDC Fund has an anticipated revenue of $211,100. The WDDC Fund appropriated expenditures total $208,776. In the WDDC Fund, thére is an appropriated contribution to Fund Balance in the amount of $2,324. The Vineland Fund has an anticipated revenue of $80,000. The Vineland Fund appropriated expenditures total $80,000. In total Operating Funds, there is anticipated revenue of $15,596,372. The total Operating Funds appropriated expenditures total ttos/whiteville. aranicus.o com/MinutesViewer.Dho7clin id=315&doc id-25019805-488e-110-575-005056289546 2/4 6/13/25, 3:55 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council $15,483,746. In total Operating Funds, there is an appropriated contribution to Fund Balance in the amount of $112,626. There is no change in the Tax Rate, which remains at $0.54 per $100 of valuation of taxable property. The Municipal Tax District tax remains at $0.12 per $100 of taxable property within the Municipal Service District. The proposed Operating Budget includes information regarding Capital Outlay requests, local government contribution to the retirement fund, enterprise purchases, and a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment for employees. The City's proposed Operating Budget includes $15.6 Million in funds. There is an additional $29.7 Million in grants, loans, and project money. This totals $45.3 Million in funds that are being managed by the City's staff. It was noted that the proposed Operating Budget was a balanced budget. Given there were no other individuals that chose to speak, Mayor Mann closed the Public Hearing at this time. 10) BUSINESS 10.1) Consideration for Ordinance No 2025-0-99 FY 2025-26 Fiscal Budget and Schedule of Fees Council was presented with Ordinance No 2025-0-99 FY 2025-26 Fiscal Budget and Schedule of Fees. Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve Ordinance No 2025-0-99 FY 2025- 26 Fiscal Budget and Schedule of Fees. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 10.2) Revised Budget Amendment 5 & 5A, 5B Council was presented with Revised Budget Amendments 5, 5A, and 5B. Mr. Brown stated the Budget Amendments were necessary revisions. He noted Budget Amendment #5 related to the Provalus Building project. The Local Government Commission requires these all be done in the same fiscal year. Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve Budget Amendments 5, 5A, & 5B. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 10.3) First Bank Savings. Account Council was presented with information regarding a First Bank Savings Account. Mr. Brown stated staff was requesting Council to authorize the opening of a First Bank Savings Account. The City has financed several police vehicles through First Bank. This leads to a more advantageous lending rate. A First Bank money market savings account offers competitive rates and also affords more favorable lending terms. If this account is opened, the appropriate signature cards would be required. Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the opening of a First Bank Saving Account. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) httne lhwhi e aville ue com/Minut ntecViewer nhn?clin id=315 58 &doc id-25019805-481 R8e- 11f0-h7 7f5-005056: aR9546 314 6/13/25, 3:55 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 11) COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Mann asked Mr. Currie for an update on Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director. Mr. Currie stated Mr. Lowder is in the hospital. He is currently being treated for an infected gallbladder and is doing well. 12) REPORTS 12.1) Manager's Update for June 10, 2025 Council was presented with the Manager's Update for June 10, 2025. An update was given on the Provalus Project. The roof repairs have started. There will be a walk over the roof deck this week. It was noted water was discovered between the two previous roof layers. The contractor stated the City made the right decision in replacing the roof. The Airport Water and Sewer Lines have been installed. The contractor is currently waiting on the pump station supplies. The City has met with Needom Hughes, Columbus County Tax Administrator, regarding the data needed for the City's Tax Collection. The City will have to use the County's values, which the County will provide. Council was updated on the Canal Street Storm Water Project. Permission will have to be obtained from RJ Corman to run under the railroad track. This project will be the next one up for bid. Mr. Currie stated the City appreciated everyone's assistance with preparing the proposed budget. He noted this was a long process and it is al balancing act. Mr. Currie noted he would be on vacation next week and would be out of the office. Mayor Mann stated there were concerns regarding parking near Vineland Station Depot. John Fisher owns some of the parking area in the lot adjacent to the Depot. The City owns a portion of this parking area as well. It was noted Mr. Fisher wanted the City to rent his portion of the lot for parking at events. This could possibly open up more issues. Renters of the Depot are now being told where they are allowed to park to avoid them parking on Mr. Fisher's property. Mr. Fisher did place signs in the area, but it was noted these signs have been confusing to some. 13) ADJOURNMENT Helen B Holden MOVED to approve the adjournment of tonight's meeting. Kevin Williamson SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 S Terry L. Mann,) MAYOR Voothon Dsuulon Heather Dowless, CITY CLERK s: /V whiteville.a granicus.o comMinutesViewer: php?clip id=315&doc 0-25019805488-110675005056.89546 4/4