A municipal budget review meeting involves systematic examination of departmental budgets through line-by-line analysis, where council members question department heads about budget allocations, salary structures, outsourcing arrangements, and funding justifications to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency in public spending decisions.
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2027 proposed budget to order. Um before we call the role u councilwoman Katherine Gail, can you please lead us in prayer and invitation?
>> Madame Mayor.
>> Yes, ma'am. Um I would like to make a motion right here that we go into close session pertaining to a personnel matter and conduct of elected official.
>> We can't do that. was not on the agenda for special call meetings.
>> It it does have to be >> if it's not on the agenda and um the attorney says we can never do it. Um I thought the statute said if every member was here then it could be done but either way we won't have every member here. I understand.
>> Okay. be done today. It'll be done.
>> Yeah.
>> Catherine, will you please pray and pledge allegiance, please? Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Let us pray. Father God, it's in the matchless name of Jesus the Christ that we say thank you God for this day. We thank you Lord for life, health, and strength and the activity of our limbs God. Father, we ask right now that you intervene on our behalf, God. Father, we dispatch angels to go forth and make all our crooked places straight, God.
Father, we pray and ask that you will make our rough places smooth. Father, we ask that you'll just bless our minds and hearts, God, that we will be receptive to your leading, God, of what this city need. God, we ask that you bless each and every heart that's represented here tonight. God bless and keep us Lord that we will walk in the path that you have ordained for our lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all council want to welcome everybody here on tonight we are here uh again for our review and discussion madam cler please call the Mr. >> President said she would be a little bit late by Mr. Noel >> here.
>> Mr. Unable to be here tonight. Mr. >> Here >> Miss G >> here. Miss W >> here.
And we have a quorum. Um Mr. And >> thank you, mayor. As council member Paul at our last meeting, I think there was some desire to continue with a budget review and questions and answers and so we open it up to discussion.
>> All right, council Jessica acknowledged so we can move forward with discussions.
if you have questions about the budget.
Absolutely. Go ahead.
>> Good afternoon everyone. Um so my desire this evening is to start over with the budget um from square one um department by department and line by line item to see where we can make additional um budget cuts um uh to go towards our deficit um this year and years going forward. Um so it's my belief that we can make additional budget cuts, salary cuts, um budget and I like to start from scratch.
It's okay.
Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. Good evening, Joey. If we could start with General Okay, thank you. Um starting with non item one this is uh general IT um starting with salary wages and fulltime for physical year 26 is 713 for physical year 27 678 and could you tell me for how many personnel that booth.
>> Well, there there there is uh no budget for salaries for the IT department.
>> There's no budget for salaries for the IT department. If >> you look under manager recommended on the need Let me see information services.
Okay. So if I look on a manager recommended that is zero. So could you explain to us how how does that work with the manager recommended budget for salaries and wages for zero? Could you help me understand that?
>> Well, we don't have a salary person in that department budgeted for 527.
>> Okay.
>> May I want I think that service is uh outsourced. Is that correct?
>> That's correct.
>> Okay. Maybe that's more clear.
>> Okay.
>> But you want to know what that cost?
>> Yes.
>> Outsource.
>> No, no, no. Outsource should there should be a price, >> right? The in in lie of a salary person in uh department or the IT department 10450 uh IT services is outsourced to cyberlex uh technologies that's handling all of our IT uh needs citywide.
>> Okay. And we pay them according to services rendered.
>> It is under contract for an annual contract for a specified amount for those services. Yes.
>> And when you say specified amount, is that just a general figure that is there yearly?
>> It it is. It's for the uh the contracted amount agreed upon between Saddle Plex and the city of Henderson and the contract services line that that expenses housing. It also takes care of other needs that uh the city has as it is it related.
>> Thank you.
>> Um Joey, is that public information?
Could you share what that cost is please?
>> Uh do you think that annual cost budgets or the entire line. Okay. Um yeah, the 250,000 has been budgeted for it. Um and part of that I think includes Harris and time clock plus. We'd have to go back and pull the contract to know the exact amount, but it's based on the number of users user fee for that. Uh and it is a uh a renewable contract on an annual basis.
>> So it's 250,000 annually.
probably a little bit less.
>> Thank correct me if I'm wrong. Is that what you're looking for?
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> That's more than just just me.
>> We don't know the exact amount of the contract, but the 250,000 covers that contract time clock plus um and other IT related issues.
>> Thank you.
Uh the next department I would like to look over is city attorney.
So we have the city attorney budgeted fiscal year for this year at 49953.
And I see for fiscal year 27 to 65 and I was told about the $15,000 uh increase. But um my question is is he hired as a part-time or full-time? And I was trying to get clarity on that and if we are making budget cuts uh our past have our past attorneys been part-time?
>> Well, it's really not classified as a part-time or full-time. That's a a contracted amount for an annual uh service provided to the city.
>> Okay.
>> And that's an annual service. And that is the increases because again um $15,000 increase on >> the comparison to last year's budget as was one where the city attorney was split between city manager and city attorney. The 65,000 represents a full year of uh city attorney service.
>> The last attorney was contracted at $4,000 a month and that would be 60 or 60,000 a year.
I'm sorry.
>> 1,000 a month be 48,000 a year.
>> Right. That's what it was. The last contract I signed was it was 4,000 a month and that total is how much there?
>> You said 48,000 times 12 28,000 12,000 right?
>> I don't have my paper. So you said it was 65.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. So there is an increase because the full year budget line item for the last attorney was >> $4,000 per month.
>> Mr. You may recall that u our previous city attorney was also the city manager >> and so there was a probably some cost savings there for having the two positions combined.
>> No, no, sir. Mr. P, I can tell you for a fact I signed a contract. Um the contract was given to him prior to be him becoming the um city manager. And that contract was $4,000 a month because I signed it. And it had nothing to do with him being a manager at the time because he wasn't the manager.
>> Well, we we put out for public consumption the u the position and received a number of replies and the council picked Mr. Hartz and that was his fee.
>> Okay. And then with um Mr. Edwards, he was here, he was go by his time, right?
>> I'm not sure exactly how that worked out, but a little bit different. Yeah, it was a certain amount an hour. Yeah, correct. Yeah.
>> Okay. Okay. So, >> yes. Is you are you done? I have more she >> I just wanted to ask um so is this the time to include the um um Mr. Sullivan because I would I'd be interested in knowing how much he's getting.
>> He's on contract so he should be in our budget somewhere.
>> Let's see. works for Crawl Lake region.
>> He still gets paid by the city if I'm am I correct pay. He gets paid by contract regional contract.
>> Yeah.
>> Yes. He is being retained by full award.
>> Okay. So is that per meeting or is it a straight fee?
>> But he charges by the hour.
I would like to have a print out of um any and all transactions is up to- date um attorney's fees for the last 12 months.
>> I'm sure you know they're available too.
>> Okay. And um thank you. Are you finished? Yes, ma'am. You need to continue.
I see um travel, schools and meetings or again this may have already been answered but do we also did he include that in his contract as well? Travel, schools and meetings.
You have any idea?
>> Yes, that was all inclusive.
>> There was no special.
>> Okay.
Next department administrative downtown.
Now I do personally know and she travels a lot.
Um but my question is on her particular travel fiscal year funds five and again this is a wish with one person 5500 um questioning just her her travel and schools and meetings to one person. Um you have budgeted next year 5,500 and it was 2600 this year double plus five question.
>> Yes sir was a question. What was the question?
>> Oh, my question is um the increase in her trap or the increase in her trap double dick. It was a recommended the double I'm sorry.
>> Well, the um as I stated in the recommended budget, all travel across the board has been uh eliminated for FY27.
>> Okay. Okay. With the understanding that we know that there are required uh trainings that various departments um uh are a part of or or required to uh to take on and uh those would be accommodated within each budget through other available funds available in other budget lines.
Um if if there is uh additional travel that's needed throughout the course of the year where available funds may have been exhausted but it's required training then at the end of the year we'll do uh journal entries to handle those necess necessities as it was directed.
>> Okay sir. So basically then all the travel on all these reports um are going to say zero >> if you were to give them give them to us again.
>> Yeah the the budget expense report that uh uh you may be looking at it looks like as you're looking at the budget matrix >> um refer to the the expense report.
>> Okay.
>> Uh where it illustrates under the manager's recommended column. Okay. Um where it has been cut. Okay.
No, I'm looking for something if anyone else has a question.
So, um I guess my question is um how many times do um Miss Tracy travel matter? How many times does she have to travel? And what constitutes the different in um required? I mean, I know that with the exception of the police and fire department, what what constitutes the um >> travel to make it a necessity for mandated?
Yes.
>> Madame Mayor, >> um Main Street program requires downtown development directors to attend the n I mean the North Carolina Main Street conference annually. it is required in order to keep your accreditation and we have to attend the annual director's meeting. We have two regional meetings that are not overnight that we go to and um occasionally some workshops that are regional and that's the trap.
Um, if I may, one one of the things that Main Street as we're getting trained, they as part of being on the board and everything, um, they encourage board members to give back to Main Street to, you know, have skin in the game. And I think finance director Bucha can tell you I've been going to these conferences, the regional meetings, the director's meetings for 5 years now.
I've never turned in a travel expense ever. I've paid it out of my pock.
>> Thank you, uh, Tracy M.
Yes, ma'am. Go ahead, Miss Katherine.
>> Um, I have a question on the salaries and wages. Um, that amount is that how many employees is that?
>> Does Miss Maggie is the only employee in the company?
>> One employee.
>> And um I guess I'm not sure what what is dues and subscriptions. That's because and the reason I'm asking is because um the previous year it was no amount there but now we are looking at um putting a $1,000 there. So what's the difference in last year and this year?
Uh, dues and subscriptions covers um publications, memberships, uh, affiliations um that that may exist from one department to another um, for for various reasons that they that they would have to um, enter into those those memberships and get u literature and and uh, as I say establish u those memberships for u forthcoming uh, updates to uh, and I'm just thinking off the top of my head as it as it applies.
But uh all departments do have a dut and subscriptions uh budget line >> for those various things that that that they subscribe to or or may have to pay an annual due to remain in some form of compliance what have you.
>> Um I can miss Madigan speak to what needs to say she has another to come for that. Um, and the reason I'm asking is because it was nothing there, but we're inputting something this year.
>> It's normally been there. Um, so Main Street America and North Carolina Main Street, we have dues that are about $350 a year per um, entity. And then the North Carolina um, NCDDA, which is the North Carolina Downtown Development Association, it's a lobbying group out of Raleigh. I think their dues are 175 here. Okay. So, it's three that we have to pay into. Yes. Dues.
Okay. Yeah.
And yes, ma'am. M Joey. Um on that same same department, the contracted services general.
How does that work you all? How does that work?
>> Well, contracted services is a little bit of a catchall line to accommodate expenses where that there may be some type of uh service that would be needed.
Um, as it would apply to maybe a downtown facade upgrade, uh the the planting of flowers in the flower pot.
kind of a hodgepodge of services that would fall under uh that particular line to take care of those those needs.
I have one question. Um all departments were asked to do to give back 6% of their budget. Can you tell me if every department gave back 6% and do you have that number?
>> That that's a a a calculation that will be revealed as we close out FY uh 26.
>> Okay. um uh that uh that 6% was asked of the directors to um uh facilitate into their current budgets and when we get down to the end of the year, we'll be able to determine um if that 6% was met.
The commitment commitment from the directors was there to do that and we'll we'll know more when we close out the year.
>> Okay, second question and I'm done. Um we back in 2019 agreed to bring on six more firemen because we were anticipating a new fire station. Um those six six firemen were brought on.
Um we don't have a station. So I'm trying to understand is that a necessity at this time because those are six full-time salary positions with no station.
If I may ask you, >> good evening, mayor and council.
>> Good evening.
>> Uh those six positions were a portion of the 12 positions that we were currently under staffed with. So those six positions actually allowed the fire department to apply a a third engine company within our state in within our two departments. So instead of having one engine at one station and one at the other, now we run three. So there are two particular groups of people that operate out of station. One on Davney Drive and one set of firefighters that comes out of station two due to that smaller physical location of that station. So as far as standards go, those positions were only a step of which the city did not continue with their plans to add the additional persons to produce our ISO rate. Uh any reduction in staff at this point in time will consider uh the city more than likely ineligible to retain the ISO classification too that we currently have. And that would mean uh u a tax consequence, not tax consequence, but a >> a change in insurance rates for any particular business inside the city of students more or less um be a detriment to any kind of external growth.
>> Okay. So, thank you Chief Pel for clarifying that. I do know that when we we went through that fire study, >> right, >> um that those six positions were recommended and I know they were fulfilled, but >> the importance of it and if I'm wrong, Mr. Jacy, you were here. Um I I remember that it was because we were emphatically going to build a station on the west end. That was why my question came.
>> Yeah. Currently, as as statistics go, as far as our last two gradings, we are still behind at least one fire station.
And as projected growth is concerned, we're we're actually behind more on the east side and the west side right now.
>> The east side as well.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Any more questions, council?
>> Oh, last question. This for you, Joey.
Um, the airport, we give the airport $30,000 a year. Um, I spoke with the county who doesn't serve anything. I spoke with the city of Oxford. They contributed 33,000 I think 673 and I hadn't gotten back anything from Granville County.
Nobody seems to know why we give the airport $30,000.
So can some I understand it's municipal and it's shared between four two counties, two cities. Even the mayor of Oxford told me that he was totally against it because the airport does absolutely nothing for the city of Oxford, nor does it do anything for the city of Henderson. So why do we give them $30,000 every year? Well, um, really since since I came on board 10 years ago, there there was a an appropriation made for the airport for just for the sole purpose of supporting their efforts to up do updates and um, take care of certain maintenance issues that happened through the year. It has been basically nothing more than just a historical record of supporting the airport ever how they got started.
>> Okay. Thank you. I think you all should consider um that's $30,000 with no return.
>> Thank you, Joe.
>> Can I ask a question? Yeah, >> absolutely. We talked about this before.
I know there's some agreement that you Oxford, Ground, Baines County, and City of Henderson. I don't know if it's a contract anyway support and it was done back for me.
>> It was it was part of economic development working local economic development regional in part had some influence and and talking to us about having an airport that would be you know an entity that would add to the value of local industry and you do have industry on here that use it. They fly in and out and it makes it easy. I know at least one in Henderson and one in Revlon and Ouxion. So, it's used for them to be able to come in and out of the region.
Um, and you can decide whether you think that's valuable or not. I guess that was the reason >> I think it's valuable, but I think Redline and the other entities should probably be paying for that. I mean, in my opinion, >> they think they are through taxes and stuff, >> right?
>> I just >> I just think $30,000 is a lot to just toss out every year. We talking about cutting the budget. talking about, you know, we we got some shortfalls. I just think that we look at it, if to me, to my opinion, the Boys and Girls Club get what, $1,500 a year?
>> Yes.
>> I I would I would rather see some of that 30,000 go towards our future versus an airport that don't have no more than maybe six people working there. They got six.
>> It's not many.
>> I would look at the number of, you know, flight coming in and out of flights. I don't know what revenue they generate from that, but gas being a few of them.
Sure does.
>> And then I also would look at, you know, the usage by local industry to see if it's important to think that was the whole reason it's done. So I would look at that and and you know, >> but you said historically it's been way before you. So what do we >> So what do we know about it? Does anybody on the council know anything about >> I know David Thomas who was the chair of it a few years ago spoke to the council.
You and I were both here then. I don't think anybody else was and you know he gave a history of and why and what they do. So you know I would love to hear from him again.
>> He he came and I also asked him as a segue to allow the youth from our public school system to maybe come through so they can learn about aviation. So I think that was established. I don't know if it went continued. So I I just that's that's a that's a hunk of money going in a space that we really can't say what it's used for.
But anyway, anybody got any more questions?
>> I just um madame mayor, I would like to know more about the airport. Um and it's actually 33,000 and some change that we donate to them a year. So, I would like to know why. What's the purpose of it?
Um what's the benefits from it? Um because if we're looking at cutting and we know we got to cut, we've got to make some cuts somewhere. this budget is no way it can it can go through the way it looks now. Uh we're talking about a deficit. So, it's going to take some tough cuts here and there to make it work. And um from what I'm hearing and maybe he needs to come back and and get with us because I don't see um the purpose of donating that amount of money to something that no one actually knows anything about.
Certainly council's um prerogative to allocate or deallocate funds. Another thing you might do Joy would help if there if there is a I don't know if it's called contract and proposal whatever was we >> it's an agreement. I read it but we agree.
>> Yeah. It's an agreement between >> two municipalities and two counties >> and and what it says about it may say you can only leave by giving on a certain deadline of meeting the dead. I don't know. I'll agree what you're doing.
>> I think we should. an agreement. Does it stipulate a time frame?
>> It has a lot of um it has a lot of verbage in it.
>> Yes. I would rather the castle review it. Um I think it would be beneficial to for everybody to read it because we have been doing that.
>> Gary said you don't remember how long. I know we've been doing it for 11 years cuz that's how long I've been here. It's been the same amount every year.
>> Okay.
May we continue?
>> Absolutely. Okay, thank you. The next part is cemetery from 56.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. And Joey, if you would just um please I see departmental supplies that looks like a very reasonable number and the recommended but could you explain a little bit um this contracted 90k out is that just for routine maintenance and is that contracted? is the line share that is going to be uh the the the long landscaping maintenance of of the the entire cemetery properties. Uh other services that sometimes come into play under that line would be fallen trees or broken tree limbs. Um other types of maybe damages that may occur just from natural reasons. Uh that line covers all of those services to keep the cemeteries up to ask a question here. We always talk at this time about the funds. We have a large amount of money that's in I'm not sure what the fund is called. It was left by family generation ago for upkeep and all it's upkeep maintenance of city cemetery. It's not that. I think it's only for addition and an expansion. You know, to me, it's a 300 some thousand dollars of money. It sits every year since I've been here. I don't think we're going to spend a nickel out of it.
>> Just it's rare. Uh that that fund um has been, as you say, in place for some time and it's u around $300,000 that's that's in there. We did a little bit of a a study on that and got advice from the at the state level that those funds can be used for any purpose that uh benefits the cemetery in terms of upgrades uh repairs, anything that enhances the the quality of that cemetery. those funds could be useful >> and that's why I'm asking is it some of those funds can be moved to this contract fund to man you said not I know you generically talking about get limbs up that sort of thing for trees but used for that funds with the city for >> right long time >> that they have been in there quite a while those funds could be used for those specific purposes >> can we look this year trying to get into those funds I mean the question there was about $90,000 I know I doubt can be used for contracting for the law service would like how baby can be. Yeah. I'd love to get an interpretation of what is the this width of our ability to use >> right um as I say that the state advised uh some years ago when we looked into that and it was pretty broad it any service that enhances the the appearance or repair or quality of the cemetery those funds could be used for that purpose. We haven't used that yet. I I don't recall the last time that we used their >> What was that?
>> The tree trimming.
>> The tree trimming. Yes, we did use some of that for tree.
>> Maybe. Yes.
>> Um y'all say you say it's been sitting there a long time. Is it in some type of account that it interest?
>> Right. It's it's in a what we call special revenue account. It's just a basically a placeholder that we we transfer funds out of as needed.
>> Do you remember the family? Can you remember the name of the family? I I don't remember.
>> It was an incredible gift.
>> Yeah.
>> But a gift unused to me is a gift I've given them.
>> Yeah.
>> And um I remember Councilwoman Champion speaking about uh cemetery upkeep and maintenance and different things. when you first came on board and you had specifically given information about this um fund, was it that the cemetery that you were speaking about was not ran by the city?
>> It was they're talking about the one in the >> wood.
But the woman is talking about opposite.
>> This is cemetery.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Just understand understand that you're saying Amwood and Blackwood.
>> It's just Amwood is the city.
>> Okay. So who who um takes care of the one that comes in on 85?
Black law is one that the council asked us to investigate as to who owned it, who would be responsible for it and that's uh something that we have looked into. The title on that cemetery is very vague and there are some plots that have been sold and actually have a a deed before it, but most of it does not. and the original founding company, if you will, is long since gone out of business and there is no successor.
So, right now, Black Doll is kind of in a in a limbo. Uh, the city uh has done some maintenance and I can ask Miss Libson to come up and speak to that.
Um, madam ch um miss champion um didn't you question about that cemetery before by it being the viewpoint of people coming into the quite a few times.
>> Okay. I mean, >> I I had a concern because coming off of 85, >> coming up 39, um cuz at one time I understood that the county was supposed to be responsible and then it's like it changed.
Um so my concern was you don't want the cemetery to look like it looks.
>> Mhm. and um I never got a clear answer about what exactly need to be done as far as that cemetery.
>> Okay, Mr. P.
>> Hey, hey, council mayor. So, the public works department, we do have a landscaping company that cuts the grass there, but that is the extent of what the city does. um for black gnome being that it is not the cities. We do keep the grass cut. Um it does need a good tree trimming and some stuff cleaned up, but unless those funds are allocated for that, there's not funding that available for um the account that Joey was talking about is strictly for Mwood. And we did utilize part of that this year to trim the trees and all over there.
And you're saying that it's in limbo. We don't you don't know who own it. We don't know what avenues.
>> It probably would require going before a judge and having a a receiver or a trustee appointed to be able to deal with it.
>> Even then, we're going to have to get into some fairly, in my opinion, expensive legal bills in order to find out who we have to deal with and to resolve the issues.
Since we're in the process of cutting the budget, I don't recommend we go there now.
>> Okay. And you said we're we're if we would run into extensive legal fees, but on this sheet, you're saying we pay an attorney an annual salary, would that not include >> No, this this would be over and above what he is expected to do. And >> so what is expected to do? Well, he prov he's intended to provide legal advice to be here at our regular meetings and to provide well, he does come to the regular meetings and we have had quite a few special call meetings, but uh in fairness, I I would say he is he has tried to to cover those as best he possibly could. Uh he is not local, so that that does have some bearing on it.
>> Okay. So, I guess my next question is, I mean, even though we're on the cemetery, we ended up talking about the attorneys, I would like to know how many attorneys do we have that other than the two that we do that we know of?
>> Well, we're we're engaged in some unusual situations right now. So, we have Mr. Sullivan, as you're aware, is the partnerships public regional partnerships attorney. So he represents that entity as opposed to just the city of Henderson. Uh, of course we have Arthog who helps us on the day-to-day activities as well as filings that we might have from employees for EOC proceedings, those types of things. Uh, and you may have I guess >> is also that's right one that we have on on available to us to provide some consultation as well.
>> Okay. So, we got three attorneys is it have we have we even considered looking for an attorney that can do what the city needs to do without having three different attorneys?
Well, I I can tell you that the law is a a complicated animal and it's rare that you find an attorney nowadays who practices in a wide variety of disciplines. Most of them specialize.
>> So, do we have a real estate attorney?
And if so, who is it?
>> That's part of what Mr. Hicks is providing some assistance for.
But if it were a complicated issue, I would probably go look for somebody else and black and all is a complicated issue.
>> Um, absolutely.
>> And I do know, you know, our citizens uh take care of that cemetery >> on their own. Um, boys, uh, is it Lady Bad Boys and Bad Girls? Jamal E J Williams that his crew rolls out and they clean that that space regularly. So we are thankful for that because it is different I'm sorry >> days >> and the days. Yes ma'am. So thank you for that.
>> Some questions. Anybody know there still additional burials being done there?
>> Yes it is.
>> So any of those homes that utilize that?
Do they do any help with that up?
Because >> I'm not aware they do and I think it would take some research on what resolutions or ordinances we might need to be able to enforce anything out there. That's part of the problem of this being in the window. The city doesn't have authority to go out there and say you can't do this. Plus, there's not really a I'll call it a map. I don't know what it is of exactly who's burying it buries.
>> I know there's been burials that started but stopped because they end up digging up graves. I mean it's horrible.
>> Um but it's it's a not knowing all the way back. It was the county there was a cemetery which left it was and he said the county to the county to maintain it. We had some negotiations county years ago. They said no. And they said, "We'll just go do legal action and see." And that's when the city said, "Well, the county says we cared about it enough. We'll at least go through their own." But that's when the city took on that when was not and it was not advised at the time any legal action because it was plenty of it. Anyway, I just gave you that history of I was never happy about any of it.
I was there still people are still using it. I think it still creates some issues and and not being maintained totally and nobody has ownership.
>> Yes, Christie.
>> I am >> I'm sorry.
>> With the uh attorney Sullivan and coming out of your budget call region award system >> and I know there's been a lot of u just a lot of activity with Mr. Sullivan lately.
>> Yes, ma'am. uh I would say maybe within the last 60 days. Can you give us a projected amount of what has what's been spent for that attorney fees or is it like is it an hourly fee? I'm just >> I can't I can give you an a total amount but I can't give you a breakdown. I don't have that in front of me.
>> Okay.
>> Um right now it's around $100,000 that we have spent $100,000 in the last 60 days. Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay, that's a lot of my life.
>> Lawyers ain't cheap.
>> Thank you. And we received one letter and a couple of meetings of participation.
>> Okay.
>> So, Madame May, I have a question.
>> Go ahead.
>> Um, so if we doing I mean, if if that's the case and she said the last 60 days, how many meetings do um y'all have?
cuz he's normally at those meetings, right?
>> We've had quite a few because he's conferencing with a number of people as well. We have two partners. He represents the entire partnership and that's where where the name is coming from. So, and essentially the city of Henderson is paying 60% Oxford 20 and Warren County.
So that is that $100,000 included in what the partners are paying or is that just the city of Hampton?
>> That's so >> so when it's regional paying it that regional's money comes from the three partners when they pay their water, >> but that's still a 60/40 split.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay.
All right. Any more questions?
>> Okay.
Do we like to move?
>> Yes ma'am.
>> No ma'am. Would you like to do that?
>> You want to do the next question? Okay. Yes, ma'am. We can do the administration.
Um we can go back some and that is administration for finance members. Is that department 440 420?
Okay.
Make sure um Joey Where's your microphone?
>> Yes, right.
>> I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Anyway, but um I'm sorry. Um for Joey, um the administrative 420 um question on the salaries and wages the I know the previous year we're showing 35 $352,899.85 85 and the manager recommended for this year is 1925.
Um, how many employees is that? That's for two employees. The two the previous year that included uh two other individuals. Uh you had the city manager, you had the public information officer, u assistant city manager and the uh executive assistant.
And this for proposed for FY27 it's the city manager and executive system.
>> So going forward it would be two inputs to employee um and a question the it says cell phones Verizon um 2500. How many cell phones is that?
two cell phones and I got >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Yes, ma'am. I'm falling right behind you.
>> Okay. And um I guess my other question would be for dues and subscriptions. Um it was 8,569 the last year, previous year, and I see it's down to 2,000.
So what type of dues and subscriptions do they pay into various um as I said before v various affiliations that is subscribed to for uh association with memberships um like period periodical literature it's a wide range of of uh subscriptions that might come into play for the city manager's news.
>> Okay. I And that's just me, y'all. This is just me. Um I'm seeing a lot of departments are all the departments, most of them are here in this building.
>> Well, for the general fund, that's that's correct.
>> The general fund. And I'm sorry, Kelly.
Let me just throw this out there because I did not get my um tour. So, I'm I don't know all of the departments and stuff.
Happy to do.
>> Okay. I I do need one. I I would like to have one. And the reason I asked is because if we are all in this building and we need to cut cost, can we not share some subscriptions, you know, that's geared toward majority instead of a select department? I mean, is it some way we can cut some of that?
>> I I I don't see uh any of those being shared. done. Usually those those dues and subscriptions are catered to the the function of that department.
>> Yeah, dues is a totally different thing.
But um you know apples and oranges here.
So subscriptions is you're saying periodicals and that type of thing.
>> So >> yeah, as it might apply apply to uh that that particular department. um you know the just for example the fire department has their own um affiliations and memberships just like the police does but >> they're separate they're off in another site. Yeah.
>> You know I'm talking basically here in house.
>> It really doesn't matter where they're at. They those those uh subscription services are catered to the needs of the function of each department.
>> Okay. Yeah, >> but I still see that we cut it from over 8,000 to 2,000.
>> Yeah, I think with the previous city manager there there was a a a high number of um uh subscription uh purchases that that he saw fit to to take up on that's not part of this budget.
>> Thank you.
Okay. And um you So could we move on along now to public works? If we could go over public works, please. Thank you.
I don't have any questions on sanitation.
Anyone have any questions on sanitation?
Could you tell me how many um employees on sanitation please Then I asked while was just still waiting to see council Kitty has a question. How um Taylor pay could help me with this. Uh, is there a structured chart for holiday pay, holiday bonuses, staff bonuses?
>> I believe we have a set policy for that and Mr. Feeles and West equation for >> Yes, sir. Yes, it the city uh does recognize a number of um holidays throughout the year that's paid for by the city and that is um within our our budget matrix and it's captured under uh those that particular number uh as it relates to each salary total Sure.
>> Um I have a question. Um waste industries motors that has been paid tonight up and we spent almost 41,000 on that book. What's that? That's that feed out.
Um page 17.
>> Yeah. The waste industries is is under its own singular contract. So it's a one contract price to cover every every all those expenses that come into play.
Does that contract go up every year based on consumer price index? Sounds good.
>> Um they they do impose a annual increase um based on their cost matrix that is spread out across those customers. So I don't know if you get anything more than that.
>> Typically four or five%.
>> Yeah. Yeah. It's just kind of a blanket percent that that they levy against the city. I suppose there all other customers when we initiated that contract years ago. I mean we were just we were trying to find money doing away with us picking up garbage and doing away with employees employees home. worked at the contract that still if I don't know if they're actually getting their gas from from usually >> they don't come to public works and get gas there but the gas is bought and sent and delivered to them >> cheap >> at our cost which is tax state and federal tax that which So that was to help keep the contract rolling. I just wonder whether that's the only >> they combined that into the contract.
Was it end of last year leave?
>> They've combined it so that it's not two line items now. It used to be a line item for gas and a line item for the contract and that's been rolled into one now.
>> Are we able to see the benefit now that it's rolled into one? Now that we're not seeing no tip for tat honestly. It's just not encumbered in two line items.
The billing is simpler.
>> Yes, the billing is much simpler.
>> Well, I again I just wonder if we're still getting the benefit of the contract then we're allowed them to buy gas at much cheaper product. Anyway, I just throw that out that'll be looked at. Make sure we we know that's the that's the case.
We trying to say >> we can't.
>> Yeah.
with the gas going with them being able to purchase the gas lower it doesn't increase our cost as much.
>> That was absolutely the idea.
>> It was >> I think if you have providing one cost center now are we able to see what that benefit is of them and what the benefit is into the contract for us?
>> I don't know. I never seen a contract but that's what I would think we would need. We we saw when we went through it cuz Lee was involved in it also. When we went through it with them, we saw the difference. It makes it simpler on the billing side for us to combine it.
>> And I just said that too just other council members know as we did these contracts and did these things, we were always looking how to save money.
>> Yes. uh to us we didn't like you know give up garbage collection as a city service but at that year I remember we were about had to buy a truck or two time truck for half million and then probably much more than that then and we didn't have the money to build it >> so we had to find out and we had back garbage picked up which was great service we found out that 90 plus% of the people the state did not have background >> yes sir it was easy to go to a cheaper contracted service street side and we did the gasoline thing as benefit and cost. But I see like VCPI after the first or second year it would go up based on consumer prices.
Haven't seen that contract.
>> Think the GFL contract is about 67,000 a month, isn't it?
>> GFL. Let's see.
>> Everybody's >> I don't know off the top of my head. I'd have to look.
>> Yes, sir.
Go ahead. He raised his >> head somewhere around 70,000.
>> 70. I knew it was close to 67 the last time I looked at it.
>> Yeah.
>> Come on.
>> And I know Gary, you said the truck was what, half million dollars a couple years ago?
>> Probably a million.
Okay. We can look at public works street.
Thank you.
Sorry. Thank you. I'm actually on page starting on page 60 here. Um, we're free. And I first wanted to ask about the sidewalks that we have many as listed here many many sidewalks that are in need of repairing within the city limits and um manager recommended amount is $40,000 um for the year and even though department requested 60,000 and with the way street project We have Montgomery Street project um on the horizon and there being a lot of walking traffic um in the city um in the next couple of years um repairing sidewalks is pretty much been a priority of mine.
Well, my question is, is there any way we could take advantage of some of the resources uh we have in the city, concrete companies, Sunrock, whatever, uh to take better um advantage of the resources that we have here or are we just um can you tell me how we're paying for sidewalk repairs? Thank you.
Well, certainly when the city does apply in that um that regard the services funds out of that budget, um there there may be an association with other outside resources that could possibly become part of that that process. Uh I don't know if that's something that >> stand.
Um so we do we do try to utilize whatever we can in the community with the fixing that. I can tell you concrete is not cheap but the biggest part is the people who have to do the sidewalks. We do not have people who lay concrete in the street department. We do not have people that lay asphalt. We can do potholes, but we don't lay asphalt in the street department. And those services come in a huge cost. Um, we just did or we're fixing to do a sidewalk.
How many feet is that leaf?
>> I don't know. 80 feet on the feet. Not far.
>> Yeah. And it's costing us >> 13,000.
So the the problem is not the materials so much. It's the people who are qualified to do sidewalks and asphalt.
So >> wouldn't it just be a training though?
Like I they teach the students at JobCore that and I'm not sure exactly what the curriculum is at Vance Gr. I'm a teacher.
>> I'm not sure either >> but I think that there we could benefit and um Dr. Dvarius is great as it relates to city employees. I just think that if there's an opportunity for our workforce to expand their u skill set, right?
>> I think that um well, I don't think I know that the um city could benefit um from that. So, I I think maybe it's something we should look at.
>> I am all for people expanding their knowledge. You You're not going to find nobody in the city that as far as cross trainining and learning new things. I'm I'm right there with you. It's the the time, >> okay, >> for the employees to put it in. Not so much as on work time, but sometimes it takes their time. So, they've got to be willing to put that in. Plus, they've got to be willing to stand by their work when they do that. Um, it's it's not as easy as going out there, putting up a frame, throwing in some concrete.
>> Okay. So, so Okay, that's great. So, what if um we could maybe garner a partnership with Vance Granville Community College? I thought we should take advantage of them being in our community. And I do know that um Dr. Dearyius again is very open. So, this may not take someone away from workforce hours. Um this is probably something they can do online. Um they have instructors that teach online. Again, I'm one of them. And >> most of my Let me finish. Most of my students, >> they're they're companies. most of the students that come to my class are all paid for by their employers. So, that's why I'm saying it's it's a it's a possibility of uh of our workforce expanding their skill set, >> right?
>> Not really at the city's expense because there are lots and lots of money. I'm on the foundation board as well.
>> Okay.
>> Foundation board has money for people that want to learn new skills. And I don't think this would be like a six to nine month type thing. I don't I I think we should maybe look at that to to like you said cross trainin.
>> Is it a hands-on class? Because you said most of it's online.
>> No, no, no. They have brick that you can do hybrid. Okay.
>> So, so part of the class could be online like the book instruction and then you can show up and do like the hands-on.
>> Okay.
>> So, I think maybe something we should look at.
>> All right. We can do that if you can put me in touch.
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay.
>> Gotcha.
>> Okay.
>> So, we could fix put some concrete down and make some sidewalks. Sounds good to me.
>> Thank you. A lot of other municipalities are taking advantage of their local resources.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. And thank you. If we could move over to um 60, page 61 at the top. Um the utility patching.
Okay. And again, we're talking about potholes. One of our favorite things, Miss Christie. But I know. So you're saying, Miss Christie, >> um, for the repairs for the year, >> you requested 50,000 and the manager recommended 25 and >> that's utility cuts. Is that what you're looking at?
>> Uh, potholes utility patching. Um, >> okay. So utility patching is if we have a water line break or sewer line break, okay, >> and we have to cut up the asphalt, that's what the utility patching is. So we try to keep that separate from the other um so that we know what actually it's costing us.
>> So why why does the but why does it say DR for potholes and repairs right under that number?
>> So up under that >> yeah it says like an explanation for MR utility patch and it says DR for path holes and repairs throughout the city 327 2026.
>> Yes, Miss Christie. Go ahead. So, so for the utility passion uh in this in the street budget that is for potholes and if we have to do any utility cuts for like storm drain repairs and stuff like that, that's where this pulls from.
>> So, it's like a dual type thing. So, so in our water and sewer budgets, we also have a line item for utility patching and and we can utilize funds from our water and sewer um budgets to to patch those utility cuts. But um this this is from the street department for any like a pothole.
Thank you. Thank you.
Okay. Um, for the item on auto supplies, I'm just going to take it that supplies went up.
Um, 18,879 to 39,000 supplies went up.
This isn't to make repairs at the street department level.
Everything everything has gone up.
with that fields supplies, departmental supplies, everything goes up.
Storm drain materials to to fix storm drains.
We must be really getting the work in now. We're trying >> and in and anticipating in the upcoming year. Okay. For that request and and recommended ma'am.
>> Yes. is um I see that y'all are like you say you're trying to make improvements cuz you know our citizens are harling about different things. Um have you um employed more employees or is it just this 15 that's covering all of that?
>> They're covering. So Mr. Sproul, city manager allowed us two additional employees just to work on potholes.
Okay.
>> Um, so we did replace those two positions. We replaced them already, right? I know we did.
>> Yeah, we added two positions. So, >> so that's included in the 15.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Yes, ma'am. Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you, ma'am.
>> For the storm drain materials.
>> Um, and just getting a little education here. Thank you. Um, to fix storm drains within the city. And then we have the storm drain improvements for the storm drains that need repairs.
And I know they're one um you know looking at 10k for the materials and then you have we're paying for the materials and we're paying for the 20k uh recommended by the manager um for the improvement. So our storm drains do anything over with debris sometimes but the materials um looks like last year that's correct $1,935 >> right the that that was uh the budget that budget was spent um and so you know with that with the focus on improving um storm drains as that's kind of been on the city's radar over the last few years is is storm storm drain improvement. Um so the the current budget is 25,000 and this year uh for storm storm drain materials and as of the budget presentation the the work session that we did a week ago we have about 14,000 still available on the table for this year. So it was basically just a judgment call to establish that for next year at 10,000 and and and see how that works out. We again last year Milan spent 1300 um and we still got 14,000 on tape. So we that that's a workable range that that budget would probably work um funds can be moved from other lines that are doing uh better throughout the course of the year to add to that if need be.
>> Okay.
>> And okay and um that's good. That explains the the recommended amount of 20k for the improvements for the year.
Um um yes, madam may I have asked Chris and we both a question. I'm still concerned about the um lights in the because I'm looking at overhead lights and um traffic lights and stuff. Have have have we made the necessary have we done what was necessary to make sure the lighting in those communities are okay?
I'm looking at a list of um traffic which that not necessarily includes that but the overhead lights pinch street lights on and all that. I'm I'm looking at all that and I just wanted to know if necessary repairs because um in the ward four district and the ward three district >> um is not to me in my opinion adequate lighting. So to that to to that um the police department is doing a really good job of going around on the weekends and then submitting on Mondays. I believe it's Mondays, right Marcus?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. On Mondays, everything that they find lights out, not working properly, broken, whatever to do for them to go out and check it. If there is a section where there is not that someone feels that there is not adequate lighting, they need to send it to me.
That way we can do what we call a light study because there are certain regulations and spacing and all of that that we have to do with the engineering department to be able to say yes, we can put lights there. Just because someone thinks it's too dark, it may not be somewhere we can place a light.
Now remember, when we do that, that becomes a city light, which means the city pays for that each month.
I I think that's great information, Christie. But I want to talk about Mr. Dicki in war three. I think that's been a situation probably for the last 10 years um that the citizens have always complained in W three for sure and war because my mom lives in war four um that the lights they don't have enough light and we also know that statistically proven that there's no light there is crime. And so um I know Gary we've done a couple of sessions at the churches and it is very dark. Um, >> can you send me those areas so we can take a look?
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay.
>> And I have sent some to you. They have been building.
>> Yep.
>> We try when we get when I get them, we take a look at it.
>> Okay. Cuz that the last time I had a discussion couple years ago, they everybody kept saying it was Dukes, but Duke had to do it. So, the city can actually put up lights.
>> When we do the study, Duke puts the lights up.
>> Okay.
>> And then we pay for the lights. The city has to pay for it. Okay. Okay. Thank you.
>> All right. Next.
>> Um Julie, I have was Christie and one of y'all. I have one question.
>> I see here on page 64 um the capital outlay um the amounts that were spent there and it's been zeroed out. Is that >> Can you explain some of that?
>> Yes. um through the course of um arriving at a balance in this budget as I illustrated during the recommended budget all travel and all capital outlay has been eliminated >> okay for um baits capital outlays what do what do that say when you say cap out to me what are you telling me >> it's it's basically equipment type of items it could be a dump truck it could be a service truck it could be a bulldozer a back hook So um it anything along that that heavy equipment line uh falls into that.
>> Okay. So that Okay.
>> Okay. Thank move slowly to public works garage.
It's me.
Thank you Joey and Chrissy. You guys are being super patient.
Thank you very Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry.
Well, I think while Mayor Co and U Councilman Gail, Councilwoman Gail is reviewing, are there any any adjustments that the council see in the budget? Um cuz I do think we are supposed to adopt it by a certain date. So, is there are there any adjustments that anyone wants to talk about? uh maybe putting more in one place and less in another or this question is there are there any adjustments that anyone should I just pretty much want to know um is some of the physicians is it really necessary to have an assistant if it's a small department. Yeah, >> I think it depends on which department we're talking about, Mr. >> So, you waiting for the city department?
>> Yes.
>> Um, resources.
I believe given the number of employees that we have uh back in I think it would be difficult for one person to do.
>> So another city of our of our size um what kind of study actually has been done to say that um it's necessary or is that just a just your personal opinion?
Well, it's my organization based on and and in fact I've been here for a number of years. At one time we had only one person in that department and it was all she could do to hold the health.
um question. Um would a one full-time and a part-time would that cover the needed um work for that department?
Miss Gil, I think we do what we have to do that it's my belief that a part-time person would not be skilled enough to be able to handle what >> I mean on that I disagree because you you would um a part-time person can be just as skilled as a full-time person >> but there's a knowledge that goes with HR though that that >> that's true but you would interview for an HR person, a person with those um what's needed to work in HR.
So, that's doable. A part-time position is doable.
>> I can't say it's not.
>> Yeah. I mean, I've worked part-time and I I know it's doable.
So, >> I mean, I I guess the reason why I'm asking because a lot of times um Never mind.
>> Madam Mayor, may I ask a question?
>> Absolutely.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. Uh good evening everyone, and I'm so sorry for being late. I had a little hiccup at work, but I'm so happy to be here. Um Council Member Champion offered me a a perfect segue. I have here in front of me both the budget and also an article that was published by our local media um where it states that we have two employees in the HR office. Is that correct?
>> U each making $164,000.
Is that correct?
>> That's incorrect.
>> Could you please describe what those if this is?
>> Yeah, I think that's the same question you asked the last time. But >> no information last time I asked about 192 for the administrative department. I did not ask about HR and I would like to or get clarity on that.
>> Sure.
>> Yeah. The the budgeted salary uh for both of those individuals is uh 162,300.
That covers both individual.
>> There's two employees, two full-time.
>> Although that's not in our Although that's not in our purview.
So hate that word. But although that's not in our purview, I just feel like it's important. The reason why I asked about a part the reason why I agree with the part-time part is because a lot of times um the doors are closed.
>> Council Ch we can't do that.
>> I I just I just feel like a part-time I just feel like a part-time position saving money. I mean, we're talking about the budget. We're talking about money saving things that need to be done.
So, I question the full-time and the part-time.
Okay, this this question is for you, Joey. Um, and please help me understand because this is an astronomical number.
Um, in our finance department, our salary and wages are $43,000.
Well, last year was $43,336.39.
This year was $46,000379.
Well, $79.75.
If I do the math right, that means that two employees inside of finance is making over six figures and four are making at least 70,000.
Is that correct?
>> That's correct. So, we have four people in finance making $70,000 plus full-time benefits. Correct.
>> That's correct.
>> Okay. What would that number look like with the benefits added?
>> That's that's kind of a lot of money.
So, can you tell me exactly what those positions are like? Are they payroll specialists?
>> Yeah, it's a of course finance director myself uh assistant finance director.
>> Okay. I said you those are the two six figure salaries, >> correct? Okay, got it.
>> And then um we have the of course the uh the payroll specialist.
>> Okay.
>> Um the accounts payable um accountant and the backup uh uh accounts payable and accountable.
>> So I'm just trying to understand that's a lot. That's a lot of money. So four people make $70,000 a year.
>> Correct. and one of them are in accounting.
>> Correct.
>> Well, we have we have two that that are uh payroll um specialist accounts payable. In other words, we have one one of our staff is was the former uh payroll specialist. She's now the backup for that payroll specialist and also the accounts payable uh specialist. So, she's the backup a doable backup. We have about what 250 employees.
>> Yes, ma'am. And you've been there.
>> Is that a normal finance department for the size of our city?
>> Well, it's um we actually had one more person than that in years ago. Um that's the current uh number that we have now.
Um which believe me comes in very handy if our payroll specialist is is uh is out. um uh Chrissy Gandon who was the former one steps right into that role and we don't miss a beat um with with getting payroll out on time.
>> So it sounds like most of the people in your department are kind of cross trainin and can step right in.
>> Absolutely. We have to we have to to have that for that very purpose because if you do have a a payroll specialist that is out for extended sickness and you can't get payroll out, you also can't report to the IRS uh those those uh income taxes and if you don't do that then we get fined by the IRS and it's a lengthy process to get that squared away.
>> Okay. So, and during the market study um during the marketable study for employees, is that a regular salary for someone that works in finance?
>> Those were salaries that were established by the study.
>> By the study.
>> Okay. Okay. Thank you.
>> Um generally, you say um reported to IRS. Do you do it quarterly or monthly?
>> Um per payroll.
>> Per payroll.
>> Okay.
and and you have software that kind of >> Yeah, it's it is tied into the the the payroll software and the calculations that fill out the the report that's done online.
>> Joey, if I can ask, who is responsible for helping and retrieve the templates and all that we lost in the cyber attack? Is there any particular person in the finance department that's assigned to retrieve those or try to um build our ours back up?
>> Um you mean the the the material that was lost? Well, each one of us in finance um has our our own set of templates, our own um use uh of software as it might relate to the module that that we go into. Accounts payable will go will have their own individual module. Accounts payable same thing. Um the assistant finance director and myself we have our own um various modules within the finance uh software makeup that we utilize daily. Now when the cyber attack occurred, we were able to go back to our software provider and they were backed up. They they keep a backup of our system. They had to go back to a date that was clean and then forward that to us and we had to manually build back all the files from that clean date up to present. A massive amount of work and um to took a great deal of time to do that. All of the spreadsheets and other forms that we do had to be totally recreated >> I think. Um so um if I may ask a question, it was seen it was seen that the finance department could operate on a small approval.
It seems it could be revamped.
And it also seems that it is what we sometimes call topheavy.
Um with everyone crossraining and everyone knowing everyone's position and you are saying that one role is there basically in case but one person can't be there.
Well, that that that person has their daily duties, which is a full-time job, but when the uh the payroll specialist is out, they shift into that position and has been has previously been in that position for a number of years. So, we don't miss a be um that backup role. If you're talking about being a uh or it making a decision to downsize finance, it would likely be a backup rule. But therefore, you don't have a backup and you do run the risk of of not getting pay out and missing your high.
>> Anybody else?
>> Madame Mayor, may I please ask a question?
>> One second. Um, I'm doing I'm looking at the North Carolina market data, right?
This it's a reputable space where we get salaries from for a senior account specialist.
I can understand that sound at 70,000.
But for an accounts payable specialist in the state of North Carolina, it's it is the range is from 48,000 to 56,000.
So would that be the I'm just trying to understand is that $70,000 salary plus benefits or is that the benefits included into the 70s because according to the North Carolina market data which is a credible website that salary for an accounts payable specialist only ranges highest at 563.
Well, um I can I can only speak to uh the study that was done for us. Um that's where those that's the that's the level that those sellers were approved.
>> Okay. Okay. Um Okay. That's I'm I'm just, you know, no, not facitiously, Joey. I just I'm just trying to understand that's that's a really high salary for four people >> in the same space, two doing the same thing, one doing something different, and then the two executives in that department, you know, and of course I expect I expect the executives to make six figures because you got a lot of work. But I'm just looking at the highest pay in North Carolina and I don't know who did the study. I don't remember. But according to the North Carolina market data, the highest salary for that position is 563 at the high level. So I'm just And then a senior one now as a senior one is it goes to 69.
That's why I'm wondering like have they been in like a long time?
>> They have been um the assistant finance director just for example has been closing in on 30 years. Okay. Um, our accounts payable, uh, uh, Kelly has been there.
>> You don't have to call names.
>> Yeah, I I believe I mean it's 16 17 years.
>> Okay.
>> Um, uh, >> so they're pretty much they all are seniors.
>> Yeah, the backup has been there 10 years.
>> Okay.
>> Um, and our newest uh, accounts, our payroll specialists um, that was working in a different county came over with a number of years of experience.
>> Okay. Thank you so much. Um, go ahead and say my name.
>> Fantastic. Segueing from what um, the mayor just asked you, Joey, and again, this is just me simply being a new council member wanting perspective um because I believe previous um actions and decisions certainly u tell the story of how we're here today. Uh, that being said, was the study done by someone who is wellversed in municipal salary studies and whatnot? Can you give me more backstory if that is possible?
>> Right. Um the the HR department sourced out uh the the the company that provided the the pay study. Um and and I believe there was a number of applicants for that role before the city made its decision to go with the the the outfit that actually performed the services. Um so there's a lot of criteria that went on with the selection of that. The HR director could probably speak more to that, but that was the process.
>> Thank you so much.
So I guess my question I want to >> I guess my question I want to ask is um not not picking at Asia but was she able to figure what the study figured out? I mean is it anything that that's in place to figure out what um George should make?
uh the criteria was based on the the demographics of other municipalities that were similar to this the size uh of Henderson and other factors that made us a good match to compared to other cities. Um do you remember how many cities it was that it was >> four different cities that that matched us closely in in a variety of demographics?
Were they were they tier one counties or were they just population related?
>> They were population related in our area.
>> All right. So that may not have been tier one county >> potentially.
>> More questions. Council, >> I have a question um to you actually um what you just explained um the study was done on population and not according to tier one and is that how the salaries were increased or no that has to do with >> No, I think they just did the study based on size. But you have to also I think any any firm that did the study a reputable firm would have definitely included fact that we that we are an underserved >> tier one um marginalized under uh economically disadvantaged community and I think that would have made a difference because of our fund balance and we are not a very rich city.
So I think that should have been taken into consideration. I don't remember. I think the study was done maybe what four years ago, Gary, during the pandmic, >> four years, five years, two years ago.
>> Okay. Yeah. So, um I think all of those factors and I don't know if that was their formula because normally they use a formula kind of like Joey uses in finance to come up with it. I don't know if that was put in, but I think that should have been considered um because of our population and the our financially our financial situation. Like we're not a rich community. So, I think that should have been looked at. I don't know if it was or not. And I don't know if it was the raises that took them to the end.
I'm just not sure. That would be something Joey could explain. But I think moving forward, we need to understand that this is a tier one county, which means that we are underserved and we are economically disadvantaged. And we also the median income for this city completely is around $56,000. That's not a lot of money. So, I think that all of that should be taken into consideration. Um I I can see Raleigh paying uh payroll specialists $70,000 a year. I just can't see the city of Henderson um even with the study that was at again I don't know what company it was and I don't know you know what they actually delve into because everybody used different formulas for different things and I will call the HR director because she would know that. So do you know exactly what was given to them for a formula for our community other than population?
>> So they have a presentation which I would be happy to share with anyone who wants to see that. um as well as they would be more than happy to come and talk with you about numbers, what they looked at figures. Um they did have our annual budget >> um figures. They looked at our staffing.
They looked at all the different variables that we have here. Um, >> when you say variables, explain >> as far as our um, hiring needs, our retention issues that we had at the time, still do continue to have at the time with public safety, all of those issues. Um, they took all of that into consideration.
uh they did meet with all of the directors uh on multiple occasions discussing the needs of the departments how they need to meet the levels to retain staff here instead of them going elsewhere to another neighboring community. Um and those things are all looked at but and again that's all detailed in the report. I'd be more than happy to share.
>> Okay. What's the name of the company?
>> It's called AIM. A >> A I M.
And that was that's put out on the RFP, I'm sure. And they were vetted from three other >> at least.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any more questions?
Council on finance.
>> Okay.
>> General question.
>> This is for the city manager. Uh, as we're talking about trying to find ways to save money and we're talking about positions that may be unnecessary, have you identified any positions that you feel as a city manager that may be redundant or unnecessary?
Well, I will point out that uh ones that we did identify have been removed from the budget.
Um fact I believe Joey if I'm right that uh the assistant to the mayor was not included in the budget script uh as in collabor.
>> Thank you.
>> And the assistant to the mayor for public record was making 2250 an hour at a 20our work week um and with no benefits. So, I just wanted that to be recorded, you know, that people would know that um the mayor is the mayor of the entire city of 15,000 plus people.
And so, um I can make it without an assistant, but I think that was um something should have been discussed, but it's okay for us to have higher salaries in other places. But I mean, he was working very hard for $400 a week with no benefits. I just want that to be publicly stated. So, thank you.
>> Um, >> just to kind of piggy back off, um, Mr. Noel, um, in doing a study, you only came up with one position that could be eliminated.
>> That's the only one that was actually eliminated. We have frozen other positions.
uh some of them quite sizable because also director positions. Um I have a some very capable assistants that are handling a lot of those responsibilities right now. And I might add that they are contributing far beyond what they're being compensated when he is saving the city.
>> And the reason I I ask that is because I mean we have to be realistic here. We've given out raises that um we could not afford. Um we can't go back and take them back. So what we're looking at now is making the hard decisions. Um we're going to have to cut the fat somewhere.
I mean, no one wants to, but we have to be realistic with this budget here. The money that we have and the shortfall that we have, some cuts are going to have to be made somewhere. So we need to realistically look at the salaries. We need to look at departments. We need to see um who is cross trainined who can cover um positions and not being funny or facitious. Um but if we're giving out you're making the top dollars, then you're going to have to work to that pay.
>> Yeah. you know, um, I looked at one department had 15 employees and that came nowhere near to some of the other departments. So, you know, I mean, that's that's my thing. We're looking at making cuts. We we've got to do something to get this budget passed. And I know people not going to like it. Um, you know, but somebody's got to make the hard decision. So we got to come up with some other departments that can do without the number that they are working with.
>> I don't think one one job is going to help the budget one part-time position is going to make it anything.
just don't let me clarify that the current budget proposed for the F FY27 fiscal year, it's balanced as is, um there's not a deficit or or or a shortfall. However, if council does so um determine that you'd like to take some of the uh expense lines further down, certainly that's that's your your decision. But we we are balanced across the board as we stand behind.
>> So are we balanced with the ear mark or we just balanced?
>> Well, the the earmark is in there.
That's what >> I was balancing. That's right.
>> So So balance.
>> I'd like to add something here. Just a thought. This this is going forward.
It's not going to solve now, but it may solve in the future. And we haven't had a line item discussion whatsoever about county city dy funded programs and that's tore me up for years. I know some of you tired of hearing but we u we fund some programs with the county and um I think we get the short end and sick of it on every single one of them and and I'll give you just a quick history. I know you're tired of it but you know the money was in the city for years. The meals were here, the families were here, the money was here, and when programs came up to be done, the city would move forward and off the programs and either ask the county to come in or let them come in later or co-und, but it's always been that way. My my belief is, of course, our budget's awful, and I don't think it's going to change quickly, but I think the counties will. I'll just go ahead and say I think they're going to site a data center. I think it's going to happen, and they're going to bring in a lot of money. I think we should start a process of discussing with the county the process for them to look at how much the city has carried them on programs over 50 years and they can begin the process of helping rectify that since they may have revenue that we may not have and I and I've specifically be looking at 911 library uh parks and wrecks that probably be the three biggest ones. Um just for those you know you think about it you know I live in the city but I'm a tax county I mean I'm advanced county taxpayer as we all are.
Um so you pay to the county and you pay to the city so we have a 50/50 program and it's coming out of general fund city taxpayers paying his out of the city's budget half of it and then we're paying our share out of the county and we're about a third of the county's general fund about 15,000 to 40 plus thousand.
So you can look at unless these 50/50 programs they are truly that we're paying 65 to 70% of the program through our our contributions as a county taxpayer and a city taxpayer. So there was never made any justification in the beginning why those should have been balanced in terms of how much people paying. They just threw 50% city on 50% county and that truly puts the burden on city taxpayer who's also county taxpayer. So, I would like to look at those. Again, the wreck is 45 county.
It's not even 50/50. That's 50 city. Um, so we're paying, I don't know, close to 70% of that out of our two pots of taxes. Um, library system, we move that where we're not paying as much. Won't get into why, but you know, library systems around us are run by counties.
Most counties run library system. Cities don't. We had a private library. The Perry family put into the city years ago. The city took on responsibility for it. the county came in later, but you know, I would like to see the county have a library system for a matter of fact people with the southern bar county to have a branch like they do in Granville County, Franklin County, but we have one large library which is wonderful, but cost a lot of money and we're still paying into that. And I tell you what bothers me most is we own it. I don't want to own it because the maintenance on that getting ready to come to us. It's going to be painting, it's electrical, it's going to be mechanical. We're seeing heating and air now. It's all going to fall on the city.
Um, I think the county should have a library system. I think they should have a library. I think she should do 100%.
But I think if we can sit and start talking some of these things July one set a committee to talk with the county manager and our manager and others and see if we can lay out a plan over the next three to five years. They take 911 drives me crazy. What is our what are we paying for 911 this year? Plus $900,000.
911's always run by city or combination.
There's a lot of models out there. We need to look at who does what in terms of these services. It's not necessarily city service. It's getting to the cost now. We also run our own system.
Although I'm not suggesting we do that, but I would suggest that the county comes in with the actual revenue conversation with them to take on more on the department. Their role and the cost where they saved over time by us paying more could now be the benefactor to the city as we try to think we need to start a conversation with people.
this this this situation we have here won't be fixed overnight. That is one way we might could begin to fix. We certainly got to start thinking outside the box and think it's important.
Yes, I I think that that is a very eval.
And I might add, Miss Gil, that it probably also makes sense for us to take a look at the the number of folks that we have that are coming very close to retirement.
And it may be possible to improve to take a look at that opportunity as opposed to actually having to cut that across compensation across the board. But um we're happy to pursue whatever avenues and council relations to.
>> So So with with what you just said, you said about cutting staff. Now, most of y'all know I don't care how nobody feel about me, so I'm going to say what I got to say, whether you like it or not. I just find it ironic that the conversation was about one position that needed to be cut. Makes me think there was a conversation behind behind the scenes. But Pella, you said you don't want to cut staff, but you want to cut that young man's staff. I mean that that young man. So I'm asking this question.
What who else do you feel or do you recommend since you like to do recommendations? Who else do you feel who else do you feel needs to be cut? Cuz clearly that one position >> I don't think that's >> I I still I still want to know. Madam Mayor, >> I understand and it's okay. Um but I I don't think that's appropriate. It's okay.
>> But if we talking about doing a budget >> now, if you want to name departments, that's fine.
>> That's what I'm saying. If we talking about doing a budget and having to have cut somebody, >> then clearly I agree with um Councilwoman Gil. There gots to be somebody else. Yes, I said gots to.
That's what I meant. There gots to be somebody else that you need to find a cut.
That can't be the only one you want to recommend.
>> You think that was done purposely? I know it was.
>> It's all good >> and I know why.
>> But I still want I still want to know the answer to that question.
>> Thanks. And thank you. I I think he would need to give us an opportunity to talk with the directors and see what might be the best uh recommendation to continue if that is council's mandate going forward that you want us to start having position balance would wouldn't it have been appropriate uh and I'm not a department head I'm just the mayor of the city wouldn't it have been appropriate that I would have known or you would have told me so I could prepare my uh my you know my assistant. Not that he's going to not be okay, but don't you think it would have been a great conversation to have with me that hey, we're not going to fund him this year.
I I'm just wondering.
>> Well, mayor, I I I apologize that being the case, but I thought that we were talking about the budget in general and uh Noel pointed out there, which one did you see >> like he already do and then you commented and gave it to him. So, I'm just wondering, wouldn't it have been would it have been nice to just say, "Hey, mayor, you know, George is a great person, excuse everybody know who my assistant is and you know, but this is not what we can do this year." I think it would have been a common courtesy and it's all about communication. Um, I don't know if that was supposed to be a sucker punch, but I don't feel sucker punch because you're a sucker. But at the end of the day, >> at the end of the day, at the end of the day, we cannot have >> position >> biases.
We cannot have biases and we need to be very transparent of what's going on. So moving forward, I'm just asking please for communication. That's all I'm asking for. Brave. Thank you.
>> Hey, one more thing. I was to bring those forward thinking process. I don't think we're going to do a whole lot of changes to this budget um as it stands.
I mean, it's as tight as it can be. But I would say we know this is going to be where we are next year. We'll be and we'll be talking about cutting people or services, that sort of thing. We don't want to do that. Would it be wise, and this is for the manager to decide, not I, to begin July 1 meeting with staff in a special meeting that's going to be held. We all got to cut 5 to 10% of our budgets for next year. And I I know you asked me to return 6% this year. I I think that would be the same process that needs to begin eight, nine months ahead this year. We're moving forward to say we know we'll have this situation next year unless we have some incredible revenue coming in year. it won't happen a year. How do we run the city and with the idea being we're not cutting positions if we can, but we will find ways to get jobs done dually or we will try to get not only cut services, but I do think and sometimes there's ways to uh get the economics out of departments a little better, knowing that we're just not going to have the money, knowing that we're not going to accept best service. that yes, we want to get assistance and all the service we need, but we've got to find a way to do it a little better. Um I, you know, I was been reading a lot about data centers and AI and I'm looking at one of the first things companies are doing there, corporations, stock markets going crazy because they're cutting staff because AI is helping them um find ways to use less people. And one of the thing I read about all the different ways that's happening a bunch of ways. One of them though was customer service. when you call in and I know we have customer service people at all different departments. I know they do different things, but if you could find ways to have those services done within the department with other staff, it could be one customer service person that calls in. It gets one person who answers the phone for everything in the city and gets them the information they want or gets their phone call to the department.
Um I I do think there's ways now that we can use technology and find some savings without losing um service and I think we need to start working that into our mindset July one this year but then every department that your department may not have the money you have this year next year yet we expect to provide the same service and that's asking a lot but if work on it a long time I just think we got to start early this year we can't wait in three months before the budget but say we need $4 million out of fund balance or we're going to cut staff or we're going to raise taxes and it's not the ways we'd like to do it. Let's start now, prepare not to do that and then see where we get it. But we'd have to start early. I'd like to offer those whatever move forward in terms of next year and Oh, thank you.
>> I'm sorry. We're moving forward. You're okay. Um one question um >> um Joey on the information services 450 um it says for a fulltime staff and of one employee but it's been zeroed out.
Is this a empty position?
Yeah, that position was eliminated due to the fact that we were outsourcing all of our school.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Okay. And I was uh we were looking at I'm sorry. We were looking at garage 555 and I I don't have any questions unless someone sent for the Lord.
Um Tracy, Madam Clerk, could note um I have received a numerous outstanding amount of taxes concerning this article in the paper and according to general statute 168-71, I call it an emergency meeting using my mayoral authority. I need 6 hours. So, can since you have a porum here, I'm calling an emergency meeting concerning an employee matter because my phone is off the meter about what happened in the newspaper.
>> Yeah, >> I have no idea what happened and think I don't know what you're >> It's okay. Everybody else is texting me.
It's just not good. But it's an employee matter. I'm calling an emergency meeting for an employee for a personnel.
>> For when?
>> Um I need six hours. So you can plan the time. We have counsel here now. Find out when they available.
>> I mean or tomorrow.
>> Oh no, not tonight. Just ask this >> tomorrow.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> Yeah. Right.
>> Thank you.
>> We can get a consensus of time from everyone while we're here. I'm available on flexible time after 11.
after 1:00 anytime.
Flexible.
Flexible talking >> after 5 p.m. Yes, ma'am.
>> After 5:00 p.m.
>> That's good.
Okay. So, it looks like Tracy, it's um Well, I know it's only one person saying, Mr. Noel, >> not available.
>> Not available. Okay. 2 4 5 5:00.
>> Well, 5:30. I guess it gives people time. Thank you. That's the emergency call meeting concerning the personnel matter under the general stat.
>> All right. Go ahead, Mayor Pro 10.
>> Okay. Thank you.
She's not talking.
Okay. If we're moving along publicly buildings and brushes.
>> All right, council. How would you like to see the budget if there?
>> Um, we're not finished. I'm sorry. We still don't have questions.
>> Okay.
>> I'm sorry. I I heard you say you had any more questions.
>> Oh, I have no more questions on >> Yes, ma'am. General public buildings.
>> Okay.
>> I don't have any. Moving along. Okay.
And the next one is development services.
Uh 4 98.
Wait, how many employees is development services?
Uh, see both >> three ass.
>> Okay. And is the fourth one going to included in this u recommended budget category next year?
>> Yes.
>> Four.
So that's 55 * 4 89 right there. Thank you Kevin.
What is what is this stipen planning division? What does that entail?
>> Um the development services department utilizes outside individuals who are part of uh land planning and other committees where uh they they serve in that role to assist the city with various initiatives, decision- making, what have you. So the city does provide a stipen for those individuals.
If I may ask about uh professional services, just explain it to me. I'm sure it's definitely there's a good cause.
>> Okay. Uh professional services could capture a variety of ranges of expenses um and to include um the the need for attorneys uh that that may apply for the various uh zoning or or planning ever.
how that might apply. Um it's it's there for that purpose. Um any other outside professional service for consultant and again that's something that our attorney that would not be able to handle. Is that correct? Thank you.
When you walk out, we um staff emergency tomorrow at 5:30.
or crying for those in how Okay.
and Joy, when you have um different departments that have different hardware and software servers, um please can you explain that a little bit because that's not that they're not on on the same system. Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
You know, the hardware and software line is usually for peripherals that might need to be addressed, whether it be a monitor, a printer, um other um minor level types of things that may come into need uh for that department. On the server basis, that's going to be handled by our contractor uh because those are a lot more sophisticated and integrated um on a technical level that would not involve departments.
Thank you.
And so our our server um a routine server that's something well grass cutting and demolishing of homes.
>> Yeah, I think you're you're looking at contracted services. Okay. Contracting services covers those types of those those types of services as needed for part of you know property initiative.
>> I have questions on development services.
I do um with the new position um with the new position and how much is that um salary?
I believe, if I'm not mistaken, I believe that that is in the 50s >> with that new position. Um, never mind.
I ask time.
>> Thank you. U like to move to public works administration.
How many of our employees is there? Joey two I was um I'm on page 47 and I was asking about in the buildings and I see you have for the repairs on the building for public works and 30% would also come out of the water and sewer and that's just another way how you're able to um work on the cost by grabbing funds from other places. Thank you.
>> You paid a lot of money for service.
We've got a lot of money for 13 >> contract services.
>> Contract service.
That's anything from grass cutting to fixing the building that host a whole slew of things.
>> Grass cutting the lots in the city.
>> Is that under that particular >> We do. Yes.
>> How many lots do we now own? We have taken down house that we have to cut.
>> Uh I can't tell you. I I don't know off the top of my head. There is a list though that is five pages long of property the city owns. It's quite >> Yes, sir.
>> We had a map out earlier today. I wish I'd have brought it back with me, >> but we can go over that at a council meeting if y'all like.
I have no more questions for you in the budget.
We can move to human resources.
uh let's see question is I guess I just want to know what professional services on the department >> um on page eight, >> right?
>> Okay.
>> There may there may come a time or two where that the HR department would need some legal advice or anything that's primary that would be just for me.
I'm on page nine. I just had a question.
Um, physical year for employee events current budget to what work the manager is recommended. What does employee events?
>> That would be um city events that would uh cover health fair um holiday um types of uh incentives for staff um v various activities for um staff motivation um morale.
Has that happened in the last year? I know we've been trying. What have we uh what have we done for our employees in the last year as far as any type of health fair or >> mental health training or holiday incentives? Um I see the budget has 172 and the department requested 172 this year.
Could you explain what that will be used for next year? So, how y'all doing mayor?
>> So, um human resources did health fair brought in vendors to come in. We also did little trinkets um for the staff to show their appreciation. Um just like each department have their own special events for their time of the year or um month, what this year what the city did was or the um HR did was they did it throughout the whole department for every department. So, donuts one day, a meal. We sort of went away from the traditional um have a big meal because a lot of people wasn't showing up because of different time. So they actually did a marvelous job of going to the sites to um deliver or have a portion from the department to pick up. Um also little things such as the award ceremonies we have one time was ordering over a $50 plaque but they get to keep the plaque instead of rotating the brand. Um so little trinket such as that again we are almost two 200 plus 250 plus in bullying part time is this is opportunity for to give shirts out recognizing what we're doing in the community so they can see it. So that was one of the items that was >> I don't have any more questions for human resources. Excuse me.
>> Oh question data data services and internet joy on page nine. Um they budgeted the actual and the budget amount was $80.75 and it was increased to 500. What was the reasoning for that?
See data services and internet um for human resources.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. They the uh the current budget is 500. The department of request was 500 and the manager recommended is 500.
>> Well, it was increased from $80.75.
What why are they? Well, $80.75 was uh the actual budget from the previous year, >> but um through the through through the course of uh uh internet connection and Wi-Fi fees and so forth, the overruns that take place really across the board through the course of the year, u the the establishment of $500 was deemed to be adequate to cover those costs.
>> Thank you.
Thank you. If we could move to governing governing body 410.
Okay, I guess I'll start off with the board stipen.
Um current budget is 102,200 and the department requested um 88,300 and the manager recommended that amount as well. Could you just tell us how you arrived at that number? Joy to give you some clarity. Thank you.
>> Um I that being a department request it it was not altered. Um, I I would defer to the the clerk to weigh in on >> As far as I know, nothing was changed.
Nothing should be changed on that.
>> All right. Thank you.
>> Okay. And so with as discretionary for mayors Elliot, it was in the budget for 5,000 and the department requested 5,000. The manager recommended 2,000.
Correct.
>> Okay.
>> Stipen for the council.
>> For the council that I if I'll interject there that 14,300 is restated.
>> It's it's in there as as requested.
have no more questions. suburban embodiment. Thank you.
And Joey, as I look through the other departments, uh, youth services, APOP, and second as we look at recreation and parks, we could just go over that quickly because I know um, initially you said that because uh, I'm not Vance County also contributes to these these funds. Um could you explain that to me so I don't have to guess? Thank you.
>> Mayor, city council. So, uh we have an cooperative agreement with um countyou where for recreation is 55% 45% of the total bill. So this one of the sheriff thing that councilman um dicky was explaining earlier. Well for ACOT it's 50/50. Um with youth service 100% them.
Um we manage it, we oversee it. Um and that's basically what who they are. Um one of the things like you mentioned earlier, Mr. Bacon, and we've been working with um city um attorney with is looking over their contract and make sure we get what's due to the city for that. So that's one good thing that came from the meetings with the the city attorney. But most but I can tell you our budget is flat except for the increase in material. um it's always been flat for the past four or five years because some of the fact that what I've learned at the um main street conference being traced to city and a couple other um city um citizens was when you things downtown open spaces and parks and recreation places downtown it draws businesses here and that's one of the main points we tried to accomplish when we did that the park there. So it going to be the focal point for a lot of things. Um, but we've got a shared use and everything and I don't think I would go before said no question.
>> Can I question?
>> Yes. When uh if we raised if we gave $200,000 to recreation, does county match its percentage of the increase for if you got an increase to budget from the city?
>> Whatever the percentage is. And but it's also you got to say I'm managing three buses in recreation. So it's 620 then it's ACOT center then it's ACOT aquatic center then it's youth services.
>> If we you have a reduction you just have to cross the board take 10% reduction with the county participate has a reduction.
>> Yes.
>> Yes. Yes. I don't want to hear about my fears and and again it's one of those situations where again we talk I talk to my staff about what we need to settle with and what we need to accomplish. Um like other department we have gaps in um in full-time services and we manage those as well as um well as possible but whatever the 45% traditionally the county pays with um whatever the percentage is.
>> Thank you.
>> But again they they check and tease and out just like we are.
>> Mr. top of you too. I understand your sentence.
>> Um I do have one question.
>> Um why so many cell phones >> for us?
>> Mhm.
>> So we're in a technology world. Um we got to show what we're doing. At one time when I first started, we we didn't have no cell phone, but the department head, an administrative assistant. Well, we want to post things. If you notice, our social media is is really really up to date and we showing things in real time. We have again under the recreation you have aquatics swim lesson you have um programming senior programming you have uh special Olympics you have um youth programming athletics you have outreach you have you have so many um leisure services special events well we want everybody to know what we're doing we trying to show what we are accomplishing in our department and I can't do it with one cell phone or one person but also say we are we're not just sitting in in the office. We are out and about. We at different parts of the city with different partnership. So I I want us to be able when we capture that moment when we're doing events and that's the best way to do sir. Thank you.
Thank you ma'am. The next departments are police. I do not have any questions and fire. I do not have any questions.
Again, when we look into other forms that are part of our advance worksheet, regional water system, the sewer and the water fund.
I trust the expert. I trust the expert.
She's there.
Vans County Sheriff Program.
It's page 98.
Thank you.
And I can see the budget cuts that were recommended. I don't have any questions for sure programs and contributions to local agencies.
Page 101.
The first item is the airport.
So, the airport does have a a current budget of 33,750.
The department requested that amount and the manager recommended that amount.
I would like to make cuts to that, but I would like to hear from my colleagues.
>> Um, no, >> mayor. Um we we kind of went over that before and and my um insight into that was that um I don't feel that at this point in time that we unless it is in a contract or um we're going to look at the paperwork. I don't feel that we need to support that.
I would love before we pass the budget to have them come and speak to us and tell us what goes on the airport, what the money is useful and what they can tell us the important is to us. I think I have an idea of it, but I'd like to hear it from them.
I think all of us could probably be a benefit that >> I would mind hearing from them as well, but I think if we cut McGregor Hall to 30,000 to 5,000, I don't see a purpose of not cutting the airport. McGregor Hall sits in the heart of our city and I think McGregor Hall really needs that money. They came and told us exactly if they didn't get revenue, they was going to shut the place down. So I rather give McGregor Hall the money than to give it to D for it.
>> Um I do not think that they need that money as well. I mean, I feel like there are other services including McGregor Hall, boys and girls, girls club, and maybe some other um entities that may need it. So, I would agree to cut it this way.
Okay, Joey, could I ask about the appearance commission?
Even though there's no there are no funds allocated. I'm just curious. Is that something that's supposed to make our city look pretty?
>> We said two Saturdays ago. So, >> okay.
>> We it was part of recreation appearance committee when I first started. It was government the mayor's wife aged out. We couldn't we couldn't get no members when we started from day one. Um, so they took the budget away from the committee because we couldn't find anybody for and again it's just one of those situations since it was known as being on the recreation. I took over my part-time staff and the youth to um take on a lot of those tasks. U majority of the interest waste in the city the signs the rehab of the city of Hisan maintenance department took over those things and maintain those. Um we have a couple community people um utilize community service who have that skill update on weekends and things of that nature upkeep it on the weekend but um it was a committee that we used to oversee it disbanded because of um attendance um following Robert's new rule order and what the council said and just haven't been able to find anyone to take it back on.
Okay. And as far as Boys and Girls Club, we increased that. Um, department reports was $750.
Uh, manager recommended $0 and I think we came to an agreement of $1,500.
>> That's been included.
And no more questions on contributions to local agencies.
Okay. Again with our departmental, our debt service and our audit. I have no questions. I leave that to the professionals.
And lastly, with the general front, I have no questions. I'll leave that to the professionals. Thank you, Joey. Let me leave council with this. You know, through the budget process, um the 10 years that I've been here, this has certainly been a budget that involved the deepest cuts that that that I've ever imposed across the board. um to make up the the amount of uh ground that we had to do in order to not spend a dollar more than 5 million. Um Mr. David mentioned a um an early start to the savings u process that that's certainly going to come into play. I've u shared that uh this budget year coming up for FY27 will be a savings effort on steroids. Um I've informed the staff um about a week ago that the month of June would be a total shutdown other than our normal uh utilities, contracted expenses, what have you. But everything else has got to go do absolutely uh generate as much savings as we can as we close out the year to funnel that back into fund balance.
as I've stated into council during the the number of budget presentations that um taking out all the travel taking out the capital outlay is our starting point. That's what allowed us to um given what we're on the hook for in terms of what we've marked out of fund balance. Hopefully, we can mitigate the use of that down uh to the most extent practical through the course of the year. staff do know through those presentations that anything uh that is absolutely needed that's been cut out.
their challenge is to go to their other budget lines and find that money where practical.
If if it if it turns into a situation, as I repeated this over and over, at the end of the year, if you do have those needs that do surpass what you're able to have in a reduced budget or what you're able to transfer out of other lines, we'll figure out how that we can cover that through our collective savings that we do every year where we put all the surplus surpluses into our reserve line and we'll backfill uh those those uh deficiencies.
Um there are other um uh techniques uh through the budget process as as you've seen through these illustrations. Um the department asked may have been cut down.
That's taking into account what was last year's budget, what did we actually spend, how much we've left over, what is the current budget, how much do we still have on the table through a collection of of all that data and then coming up with a reasonable budget that we could probably get by with with with those variables um helping to guide the the final number. Um I think that this budget is balanced as as it being balanced as is. I think it's a a budget that we can go into uh FY27 and u and manage it there thereafter. There are other cushions that are in there. Um, our our benefit lines have extra percents in there that will come in handy at the end of the year when we get down to the bottom line and we need some additional funds to backfill some of these areas that may have gone over more than we expected with inflationary um variables that come into play or special needs that may have cropped up or unexpected things. We've got some cushions in there that can help us get through this. But absolutely savings will be paramount and hopefully through the course of the year u things will develop to uh bring u more revenue uh through some of these big ticket items that are on the table. Hopefully they can come on board as soon as possible and maybe there's some caveats to help us get through some of those gaps. So I'll leave you with the FY27 budget balance as is. Um if there are adjustments as as you say from uh the reduction to the airport uh the increase to uh McGregor Hall uh we'll work that out before we get to the uh June uh regular council meeting for adoption.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> All right.
I have no question.
I just want to know if we are in current police.
As I mentioned before, there are positions that we have closing that we have filled. Mainly there are supervisor positions. Uh there are some part-time uh staff for ACOT recreation that are seasonal that we are filling those but that's about where we are the same.
And are they uh contributed to the voted positions? Well, they do because they're a pay little expense, but uh has a somewhat unique position of being also the uh has the ability to collect fees and revenue that helps solve mayor may please.
>> Sure.
>> Thank you so much.
>> Helpful. Joey, our finance director and our city manager, as I've stated before, thank you so much for your efforts in just giving us a budget that although not ideal, meets the city where we're at right now financially. Um, I think I echo the sentiments of my colleagues, but I will only speak personally for myself. One of the biggest things that we should strive for is going back to good governance. And that's not a a a comment on this council. rather as a city we need to go back to an environment that fosters stability and I really love that word and I hope and pray that we can protect that stability so that we can create and foster an environment where development and growth want to come. So thank you so much for your hard work.
>> Do we have a motion to make >> motion by council member second by council and have a good night.
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