Smithfield
Town Council report from Jan. 7 session |
 |
Council members present: David Barbour, John Dunn, Steve Rabil,
Travis Scott, Roger Wood, and Mayor Andy Moore
Absent: Marlon Lee and David Stevens
Annual audit shows town's
General Fund
reserve has grown to $13.8 million
The
council received the contracted auditor's report for
fiscal 2018-19 that shows a General Fund balance of
$13.8 million for the year that ended June 30.
That's up from a balance of $8.9 million in 2014-15
and represents 90.66% of the town's General Fund
revenues for 2018-19.
That percentage is double the average for other North Carolina municipalities of similar size, said Stuart Hill of the auditing firm of Thompson, Price, Adams & Co. based in Whiteville.
Mr. Gill also noted that the town's Water & Sewer Fund balance during the past year was $1.9 million, up from a deficit in 2014-15.
Mayor Moore gave credit for the glowing report to an "outstanding job" by Finance Director Greg Siler and his staff in managing the town's money.
MANAGER
URGES SIGNIFICANT
UPGRADE IN
POLICE PAYThat percentage is double the average for other North Carolina municipalities of similar size, said Stuart Hill of the auditing firm of Thompson, Price, Adams & Co. based in Whiteville.
Mr. Gill also noted that the town's Water & Sewer Fund balance during the past year was $1.9 million, up from a deficit in 2014-15.
Mayor Moore gave credit for the glowing report to an "outstanding job" by Finance Director Greg Siler and his staff in managing the town's money.
Town Manager Mike Scott asked the council to approve a revised salary schedule for Smithfield's police officers that would raise starting pay from $39,600 to $45,540 along with higher pay for all other police positions proportionately.
"These changes will place the Police Department's salary schedule relatively close to Knightdale's Police Department schedule, which has been Smithfield PD's largest competition to date," Mr. Scott noted.
"This is a common problem, not just Smithfield's problem," he said. "Nationwide there is a shortage of police officers."
Mr. Scott said the higher pay scale for Smithfield's officers would cost $95,000 through the end of the current fiscal year, but the year's total expense for police salaries is already $120,000 under budget because of vacancies.
The manager said the Police Department "has continued to lose staff despite the changes made on July 1" when the current budget raising police pay took effect.
Council members expressed support for Mr. Scott's recommendation yet postponed approval because of concerns about its impact on employees in other town departments. "They're not our only employees," Councilman Travis Scott said of police officers. "What is fair for all town employees?"
Mayor Moore pointed out a shortage of electrical lineman as another area of concern.
The council agreed to continue its discussion about salaries at a follow-up session set for 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday (Jan. 15).
TOWNHOUSE PROJECT ON 301 SOUTH REJECTED
By unanimous vote of those present, the council rejected a rezoning request that would have permitted a 17-lot townhouse subdivision on US 301 South just beyond its intersection with Galilee Road. Donnie Adams, the applicant, said it was his understanding that his request had "no opposition from adjacent property owners." But council members expressed concerns about increased traffic on 301 as well as the Planning Department's recommendation for business zoning to allow the project rather than a new residential category that would permit housing units on relatively small lots. "Until 301 is widened, I'm against it," said Councilman Barbour, who made the motion to deny the zoning change.
WATER & SEWER RATES REVIEWED, QUESTIONED
Through a telephone hook-up, the council (and the public) listened for the better part of an hour to a report from Mark Beauchamp, president of Utility Financial Solutions (UFS), regarding financial projections for the town's water and wastewater funds. The only "weaknesses" he cited are current water rates for commercial and industrial customers that produce revenues short of expenses for those particular services. Council members asked about the impact on rates if the town decides not to pursue expansion of the town's water-treatment plant, primarily to serve out-of-town customers on the County of Johnston's system. Mr. Beauchamp called the plant expansion "a good investment" because the town's wholesale customers, including the county, provide revenues exceeding expenses for those services. The UFS projections show no need for increases for several years beyond a 6.8% hike in water rates and a 13.3% hike in sewer rates planned by the town for next fiscal year (2020-21). Those increases are based on the water plant's expansion going forward.
FIRST STEP TAKEN TOWARD ANNEXING NEW JAIL SITE
The council gave tentative approval to a request from the County of Johnston for "noncontiguous" annexation of the site of a new Detention Center to be constructed on the north side of US 70 Business East just beyond Yelverton Grove Road. If annexed, the site would generate no property taxes for the town since it's publicly owned land. County Manager Rick Hester told the Sun the reason for the request is make the new jail complex eligible for in-town water and sewer rates, which are less than what's charged out-of-town customers. A public hearing on the annexation request will be required before the council takes final action on it.
PURCHASE OF NEW $560,500 FIRE TRUCK APPROVED
The council approved purchase of a Spartan/Smeal "custom pumper" from Atlantic Coast Fire Trucks of Denver, N.C. to replace the Smithfield Fire Department's Engine No. 1 --- a 2001 American LaFrance model. Cost of the new truck is $560,500, a price within the $565,000 budgeted for the purchase.
POLICE
TO GET SEVEN
NEW DODGE
CHARGERS
The council approved purchase of seven V-6, rear-wheel-drive Dodge Chargers for the Police Department for $162,246, or $23,178 per vehicle. The purchase is being made through a state contract with Performance Dodge of Clinton.
NEW COPY-MACHINE
CONTRACT CUTS COST
IN HALF
The council approved a 60-month contract with Office Value, Inc. to provide copy machines for all town departments at an annual cost of $17,667 --- about half the cost of a previous contract with Toshiba that averaged $34,000 per year, Finance Director Siler noted.
COUNCIL
MEMBERS ASSIGNED TO BOARDS,
COMMITTEES
The council approved appointment of three of its members to fill ex officio positions as follows:
• John Dunn as alternate delegate to the Triangle J Council of Governments (Mayor Moore is the principal delegate).
• Steve Rabil to the town's new Storm Water Advisory Commission.
• Roger Wood to the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.
NEW
FIREFIGHTER TAKES OATH OF
OFFICE
Carl Chase Gurley was sworn in by Mayor Moore to "permanent status" with the Smithfield Fire Department after completing "all department testing and required probation time to become a Volunteer Firefighter."
FEBRUARY
7-14 PROCLAIMED AS "ALL IN RED WEEK"
The council adopted a resolution proclaiming February 7-14 "All In Red Week" to draw attention to a countywide "heart health" awareness campaign to be presented by Johnston Health, cardiologist Dr. Eric Janis and the Janis Family Fund, and organized by the Johnston Health Foundation. The proclamation invites citizens, business owners, and visitors to wear red clothing items on Friday, Feb. 7, which is "National Wear Red Day."
OTHER BUSINESS
POSTPONED TILL JAN. 15
SESSION
The council recessed Tuesday's meeting until 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday (Jan. 15). The extra session's original purpose was to discuss future plans for town parks. Because this week's meeting ran longer than expected, the council agreed to add unfinished business to the Jan. 15 agenda, including adoption of a new land-use and transportation plan for the town, a proposed new ordinance on dilapidated buildings, as well as continued discussion about police salaries.