05232002845
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUNN HELD A SPECIAL CALL BUDGET
WORKSESSION ON THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE DUNN MUNICIPAL
BUILDING. PRESENT WAS MAYOR ABRAHAM OUDEH, MAYOR PRO -TEM MIKE
WOMBLE, COUNCILMEMBERS GEORGE ROBINSON, JOEY TART, TOBY SUMNER, AND
PAUL BASS. ALSO PRESENT WAS INTERIM CITY MANAGER RONNIE AUTRY, INTERIM
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER MOSES GALLION, FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE'
DAUGHTRY, CAPTAIN MORRY DENNING, CAPTAIN RONNIE RADCLIFFE, RECREATION
DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON, PUBLIC UTILITIES DIRECTOR JOE CAMPBELL, CHIEF
BUILDING INSPECTOR SHANE HUDSON, FIRE CHIEF AUSTIN TEW, CITY ATTORNEY P.
TILGHMAN POPE, DEPUTY CLERK DEBRA WEST, AND DAILY RECORD REPORTER LISA
FARMER.
INVOCATION
MAYOR OUDEH OPENED THE MEETING AT 6:07 P.M. AND ASKED CAPTAIN MORRY
DENNING TO GIVE THE INVOCATION. AFTERWARDS, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS
REPEATED.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WERE GIVEN
INFORMATION FROM THE LAST BUDGET MEETING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE TO REDUCE
THE FUND BALANCE TO BE UTILIZED TO BALANCE THE FY 2002 -2003 BUDGET. HE ADDED
AT THAT TIME THEY WERE LOOKING AT USING A LITTLE OVER 1M FROM THE FUND
BALANCE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE' DAUGHTRY HAD
WORKED ON THE CALCULATIONS THAT WERE PROPOSED BY THE COUNCIL AND HAD
DERIVED AT SUGGESTED REDUCTION GOALS BY EACH DEPARTMENT. HE STATED IF
EACH DEPARTMENT MET THEIR REDUCTION GOAL, IT WOULD TOTAL $265,600.00
UTILIZING THE 60/40 PERCENT RANGE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND ENDING WITH
THE FUND BALANCE GOAL OF 1.625M ON JUNE 30, 2004.
MR. AUTRY STATED WITH THE SEVERITY OF CUTS ALREADY MADE IN EACH
DEPARTMENT, SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS COULD NOT REACH THEIR GOALS TO
EFFECTIVELY CONTINUE THEIR OPERATIONS. HE ADDED THAT $140,948.00 WAS THE
TOTAL REDUCED AMOUNT PROPOSED BY ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS WHICH IS
APPROXIMATELY $125,000.00 LESS THAN THE $265,600.00 GOAL THAT WAS INITIALLY
PROPOSED TO CUT. HE FURTHER STATED THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WERE PRESENT FOR
QUESTIONS.
MR. AUTRY STATED SOME NEW INFORMATION ABOUT REVENUES HAS DEVELOPED THIS
WEEK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTIES TO ADOPT A
LOCAL ONE -HALF CENT SALES TAX EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002. HE ADDED THE LEAGUE IS
PUSHING THIS ISSUE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO IMPOSE THIS TAX THROUGH OUT
THE STATE SO EACH COUNTY WOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS. HE FURTHER STATED THIS
WOULD PUT A 7% SALES TAX IN PLACE FOR ONE YEAR UNTIL THEIR ONE -HALF CENT
SALES TAX IS REMOVED JUNE 30, 2003.
MR. AUTRY STATED THAT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT PROPOSING TO TAKE AWAY THE
REIMBURSEMENT FOR UTILITY FRANCHISE TAX OR BEER AND WINE TAX. HE ADDED IF
THESE REVENUES ARE NOT TOUCHED, THEN THERE COULD BE APPROXIMATELY
$500,000.00 COMING TO THE CITY OF DUNN. HE FURTHER STATED IF THE ONE -HALF CENT
SALES TAX TOOK PLACE, THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER $200,000.00 PROJECTED TO COME TO
THE CITY OF DUNN.
MR. AUTRY STATED THE BUDGET HAS BEEN CUT EXTREMELY TIGHT AND A BALANCED
BUDGET MUST BE IN PLACE BY JUNE 1, 2002. HE ADDED DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE,
CHANGES CAN BE MADE. HE FURTHER STATED DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, THEY MAY
HAVE A FIRM COMMITMENT FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BODY ABOUT THE UTILITY
FRANCHISE TAX AND HALF -CENT SALES TAX. HE STATED HE WOULD HATE TO STRIP THE
BUDGET COMPLETELY TO BRING A PROPOSED BALANCED BUDGET FOR JUNE I, 2002 BUT
RATHER TO LOOK OPTIMISTIC AT WHAT ADJUSTMENTS COULD BE MADE DURING THE
MONTH OF JUNE.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. AUTRY WHAT PORTION OF THE $500,000.00 WOULD
BE THE ONE -HALF CENT SALES TAX. MR. AUTRY RESPONDED THAT $500,000.00 IS ONLY
THE UTILITY FRANCHISE TAX AND BEER AND WINE TAX AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE
$200,000.00 HALF -CENT SALES TAX.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED MR. AUTRY IF THEY WOULD GAIN APPROXIMATELY
$700,000.00. MR. AUTRY RESPONDED YES, IF IT FEEL IN PLACE.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. AUTRY IF THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE DEFICIT
BEING REDUCED FROM $750,000.00 TO $250,000.00. MR. AUTRY RESPONDED THERE WOULD
BE A $50,000.00 DEFICIT IF THESE REVENUES ARE RECEIVED.
Im
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THIS IS STILL YET TO BE DECIDED BY THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, HE ADDED THIS BUDGET HAS NO CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND EVEN WITH
THE CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO ADD THESE ITEMS BACK IF
UNEXPECTED REVENUES WERE RECEIVED. HE FURTHER STATED IF THIS APPROACH WAS
TAKEN AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A BUDGET IN PLACE AND THESE REVENUES WERE NOT
RECEIVED, THEN THEY WOULD BE SCRAMBLING AT THE LAST MINUTE TO MAKE SOME
VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS.
MR. WOMBLE STATED IF SOMETHING POSITIVE HAPPENS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
THEY COULD DEAL WITH EXTRA REVENUE LATER.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED FOR THE COUNCIL TO KEEP IN MIND THEIR
GOAL WAS $265,600.00 AND RIGHT NOW THE PROPOSED CUTS ARE $140,948.00 CREATING A
DIFFERENCE OF $124, 652.00 THAT WILL NEED TO BE CUT TO REACH THAT GOAL. HE
✓ ADDED IT WILL BE UP TO THE COUNCIL TO HANDLE THIS DIFFERENCE.
911 DISPATCH MERGER
DISCUSSION
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED MR. AUTRY IF HE WOULD GIVE THE COUNCIL A
SUMMARY OF THE 911 MEETING WITH THE COUNTY.
MR. AUTRY STATED ALONG WITH HIMSELF AND THE COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF THE
MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBER WOMBLE, AND COUNCILMEMBER BASS MET WITH HARNETT
COUNTY MANAGER NEIL EMORY, SHERIFF LARRY KNOTT AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER
WALT TITCHENER ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2002 TO RECEIVE REVENUE NUMBERS FOR
PROJECTED COST TO CONSOLIDATE OUR DISPATCH SERVICE WITH HARNETT COUNTY.
HE ADDED THE PROPOSED EXPENSE FOR AIRTIME SERVICE COST WOULD BE
APPROXIMATELY $58,000.00 AND THE RECURRING COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY
$40,000.00 RESULTING IN A TOTAL COST TO THE CITY OF APPROXIMATELY $98,000.00.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THE MAXIMUM COST TO THE CITY WOULD BE
APPROXIMATELY $100,000.00 AND THE LOWEST COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY
$60,000.00.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THIS WOULD BE A ONE TIME CHARGE.
MR. AUTRY STATED THEY ARE PROPOSING TO SET UP TWO CAD WORKSTATIONS FOR
PROPOSING TWO DISPATCHERS TO BE ADDED TO THE DEPARTMENT AT A ONE TIME COST
OF $86,000.00 TO SET THIS UP. HE ADDED THEY ARE STARTING AN EXPANSION OF THE
�- FACILITY AND IT WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE EXTRA TWO DISPATCHERS.
HE FURTHER STATED IT WAS DISCUSSED THE TIME FRAME TO IMPLEMENT THIS MERGER
WOULD BE JANUARY, 2003. MR. AUTRY STATED THIS WOULD MEAN THE DOORS WOULD
LOCK HERE AT 5:00 P.M. AND IF THE CITY NEEDED SOMEONE AFTER 5:00 P.M., THIS
WOULD BE AN EXTRA COST TO THE CITY. HE STATED THERE WERE OTHER FACTORS TO
CONSIDER AND THEY WOULD WANT INPUT FROM ALL THE SAFETY PEOPLE AND THE
PUBLIC BY HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.
MR. WOMBLE STATED TO PUT ALL THIS IN PERSPECTIVE, BETWEEN OUR BUDGET AND
BOTH OUR E911 FUND AND GENERAL FUND COMBINED, IT IS APPROXIMATELY $400,000.00
PER YEAR. HE ADDED THEY ARE LOOKING AT GOING FROM $400,000.00 DOWN TO EITHER
$60,000.00 OR $100.000.00. HE FURTHER STATED $270,000.00 IS SPENT OUT OF THE GENERAL
FUND SO IF YOU IGNORE THE EXPENDITURES IN THE E911 FUND, THE WORST CASE
SCENARIO IT LOOKS LIKE WE WOULD SAVE $170,000.00 A YEAR FOREVER.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY'S 911 BILL WILL INCREASE
FROM $1.00 TO $1.50. MR. WOMBLE STATED THIS WAS ALREADY GOING TO HAPPEN. MR.
BASS STATED IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN IF THE CITY DID NOT MERGE.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED WITH HIS EXPERIENCE AS AN OFFICER
RESPONDING TO A CALL AT 2:00 A.M. OR IF A CIVILIAN DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO
AND CAN'T FILE A COMPLAINT LOCALLY, HE CAN'T SUPPORT THIS. HE ADDED HE KNEW
THEY NEEDED TO SAVE EVERY DOLLAR THEY COULD, BUT THEY MUST THINK ABOUT
THE SAFETY AND SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS. HE FURTHER STATED HE CAN'T SEE GIVING
THIS SERVICE AWAY AND HE DIDN'T FEEL THAT THE SERVICE CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS
IT IS NOW.
MR. WOMBLE STATED HE READ WHERE THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD HAD MERGED THEIR
DISPATCH WITH JOHNSTON COUNTY AND ONE QUESTION HE ASKED IN THE 911 MEETING
WAS WHAT OTHER TOWNS OUR SIZE PROVIDE THEIR OWN DISPATCH. HE ADDED THEY
COULD NOT NAME ONE AND HE THINKS FOR THE SAME REASON WE DON'T NEED TO AND
SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD IT.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SAVING APPROXIMATELY
$100,000.00 PER YEAR, IS IT WORTH NOT HAVING THIS SERVICE FOR OUR CITIZENS.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED HE DOESN'T SEE ANYTHING THIS COUNCIL HAS
DONE FOR THE CITY OF DUNN AND NOW THEY WANT TO DO AWAY WITH THIS SERVICE.
Z54 /
HE ADDED THAT THE PEOPLE WORKING HERE ARE PAYING TAXES TO THE CITY OF DUNN.
HE FURTHER STATED THEY HAVE NOT BROUGHT IN ANY NEW JOBS AND THE ONES THEY
HAVE THEY ARE SENDING AWAY.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER ASKED MR. AUTRY WHAT IMPACT WOULD THIS HAVE
ON THE DISPATCH EMPLOYEES AND THE MAGISTRATE. MR. AUTRY RESPONDED NO ONE
WAS PRESENT AT THE MEETING TO GIVE THEM AN ANSWER ABOUT THIS. HE FURTHER
STATED THE COUNTY WOULD PROBABLY PROPOSE TO OFFER EMPLOYMENT TO DUNN'S
DISPATCHERS.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON GAVE AN EXAMPLE OF A CALL THAT WAS RECEIVED IN
ERWIN AND THEN DISPATCHED TO THE COUNTY THAT TOOK A TWENTY MINUTE ELAPSE
TIME. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE RESPONDED THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHY IT
WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE ONE SYSTEM TO AVOID THE ROUTING OF 911 CALLS TO
DIFFERENT PLACES.
MR. WOMBLE STATED IT HAS BEEN SAID THEY ARE CUTTING SERVICE BY DOING THIS
AND HE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS. HE ADDED WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR PHONE
AND DIAL 911, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER IF THOSE FOLKS ARE IN DUNN. LILLINGTON,
CHARLOTTE OR TEXAS AS LONG AS THE PHONE CALL IS ANSWERED AND DISPATCHED
PROPERLY. HE FURTHER STATED THERE ARE 85,000 PEOPLE IN HARNETT COUNTY AND
9,000 IN THE CITY OF DUNN SO THEREFORE 74,000 PEOPLE ARE USING THIS SYSTEM
SUCCESSFULLY EVERYDAY.
MR. WOMBLE STATED FOR THE COUNTY TO ABSORB OUR VOLUME, IT WOULD BE
APPROXIMATELY 9% ADDITIONAL WORK ON THEIR PART TO DO OUR DISPATCHING
BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY INVOLVED IN THE EMS PART. HE ADDED THEY ARE NOT
REDUCING SERVICES BUT REARRANGING WHERE THEY ARE TO DO IT MORE COST
EFFICIENTLY. HE FURTHER STATED THE MAGISTRATE COULD BE GIVEN A KEY AND
DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE WHERE THE DISPATCHERS ARE. HE STATED THERE
ARE SOLUTIONS TO THE OTHER PERIPHERAL ISSUES SURROUNDING THIS AND REALLY
THINKS THEY NEED TO LOOK AT WHY OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE FOUND OUT THAT
THEY'RE BEST NOT DOING IT THE WAY DUNN IS DOING IT.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THE COUNTY IS NOT
PUSHING 911 ON THE CITY BUT THE CITY IS ASKING THE COUNTY ABOUT THIS MERGER
AND THE COUNTY MADE THIS VERY CLEAR IN THEIR MEETING.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED DUNN IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY AND ^
WHY DOES DUNN HAVE TO BE A FOLLOWER AND NOT STAND FOR THEMSELVES.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED WHY DOES DUNN HAVE TO BE LAST. HE ADDED WHY
DOES DUNN HAVE TO BE THE LAST ONE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN SAVE THIS
MONEY WHEN EVERYONE ELSE HAS ALREADY FIGURED IT OUT.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED IN TALKING ABOUT THE DISPATCH ISSUE, ANYTIME
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY, THEY NEED TO LOOK AT IT
CLOSELY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. HE ADDED IF THEY CAN DO IT WITHOUT CUTTING
SERVICE AND ENDANGERING LIVES, THEY NEED TO BE OPEN - MINDED TO SAVE MONEY.
HE FURTHER STATED THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE DISCUSSED THE AMOUNT THAT
COULD BE SAVED AND NOW THEY KNOW IF THEY SHOULD SPEND $100,000.00 OR SAVE
$100,000.00.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THIS MERGER WILL AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE AND
THE CITIZENS SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED IF THEY DECIDE TO GO FORWARD, A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE
HELD.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED IT BOTHERS HIM THEY HAVEN'T BROUGHT ANY
JOBS IN AND THE ONES THEY HAVE THEY ARE GIVING AWAY.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER STATED HIS MAJOR CONCERN WAS THAT HE DIDN'T WANT
TO SEE ANYONE LOSE THEIR JOB. -�
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT IN THE 911 MEETING, IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT NO
ONE WILL LOSE THEIR JOB AND THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO
WORK WITH THE COUNTY.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON QUESTIONED IF THE COUNTY WOULD HIRE ALL THE
DISPATCHERS.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED THEY WOULD PROPOSE SIX POSITIONS AND
THERE ARE OPENINGS WITH THE COUNTY NOW. HE ADDED THE CITY HAD SEVEN FULL -
TIME DISPATCHERS.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER ASKED IF THE COUNTY IS WILLING TO MERGE WITH THE
MEE
CITY'S 911 DISPATCH AND WILL IT COST THE COUNTY MONEY TO ACCEPT DUNN INTO
THEIR SYSTEM.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THE COUNTY IS WILLING BUT THEY ARE NOT PUSHING
THE MERGER.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THIS IS BEING DONE ON THE CITY'S INITIATIVE AND
THE COUNTY HAS NOT MADE ANY REQUEST OF THE CITY AND THIS ALL CAME ABOUT AS
A RESULT OF THIS COUNCIL VOTING TO WRITE A LETTER TO OUR COUNTY
COMMISSIONER ASKING THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER THIS MERGER AND UNDER WHAT
TERMS. HE ADDED THE COUNTY IS WILLING TO HAVE THE CITY JOIN THEM AND HE
THINKS IF THE CITY DID, IT WOULD ALLOW US ALL TO BE MORE EFFICIENT BECAUSE
NOT ONLY ARE WE TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY OF DUNN BUT ALSO TAXPAYERS IN
HARNETT COUNTY AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO THAT DIRECTLY EFFECTS OUR CITIZENS
WHICH WOULD BE AS DUNN TAXPAYERS OR IF WE CAN INDIRECTLY HELP THEM BY
VIRTUE OF THEM ALSO BEING HARNETT COUNTY TAXPAYERS, IT IS VERY HELPFUL. HE
FURTHER STATED THEY NEED TO REMEMBER EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY IN HARNETT
COUNTY HAS THIS AND NO OTHER COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY PAYING FOR IT SO THE
CITIZENS OF DUNN ARE PAYING FOR THEIR OWN DISPATCH SERVICES PLUS PAYING A
PRO -RATIO SHARE OF EVERYBODY ELSE'S DISPATCH AND IF WE CONSOLIDATE, IT
WOULD MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE FAIR ACROSS THE COUNTY.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THE CITIZENS OF DUNN ARE PAYING FOR COUNTY AND
CITY SERVICES.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND IF THEY GO FURTHER, A
PUBLIC HEARING WOULD BE CALLED.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED IF THERE IS ANY INTEREST AND IF IT MOVES
FORWARD, THEY NEED TO HAVE AN INFORMAL QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND INTERESTED CITIZENS AND IF THEY FACTOR THAT
CONSOLIDATION INTO THE BUDGET, THEN AT THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BUDGET,
THEY COULD LET THE CITIZENS VOICE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY CALLED FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE' DAUGHTRY TO
STEP FORWARD TO PRESENT HER PROPOSED BUDGET.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED WHILE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO DECREASE EXPENSES IN HER
DEPARTMENT, SHE LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT ITEMS. SHE ADDED THAT SHE LOOKED
AT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY AND DUPLICATED BY THE CITY; THOSE BEING
TAX BILLING AND COLLECTION. SHE FURTHER STATED THE COUNCIL HAD BEFORE
THEM AN ATTACHED ANALYSIS.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THEY WOULD SEE THE TOTAL SALARY AND BENEFITS OF THE
TAX COLLECTOR.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THE COUNCIL WOULD SEE ON THIS SHEET THE SALARY AND
DUTIES OF THE TAX COLLECTOR. SHE ADDED THE TAX COLLECTORS DUTIES & TIME
ALLOCATIONS ARE:
♦ BILLS AND COLLECTS CURRENT AND DELINQUENT
TAXES- ISSUES GARNISHMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS
♦ BILLS AND COLLECTS PRIVILEGE LICENSES
♦ BILLS AND COLLECTS ASSESSMENTS
♦ COLLECTS WATER BILLS AND ASSISTS WATER CUSTOMERS
70% _ $24,764.39
12 % =$ 4,245.32
8 % =$ 2,830.22
10 % =$ 3,537.77
$35,377.70
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THE ANNUAL EXPENSES FOR TAX BILLING AND COLLECTION
ARE:
♦
SALARY
$24,764.39
♦
TAX FORMS
320.00
♦
POSTAGE
1,160.00
♦
ADVERTISING
1.775.00
i ♦
SOFTWARE
1,200.00
♦
TOTAL EXPENSE
$29,219.39
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THAT THEY WILL SEE THE AUDITS FROM ANGIER, COATS AND
HARNETT COUNTY. SHE ADDED THAT DUNN HAD THE HIGHEST COLLECTION
PERCENTAGE COMPARED TO ANGIER, COATS, AND HARNETT COUNTY. SHE FURTHER
STATED THAT HARNETT COUNTY COLLECTS THE TAXES FOR ANGIER AND COATS.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THEY WOULD SEE A COMPARISON USING DUNN'S LEVY FOR THE
PAST THREE YEARS AND THE COLLECTION PERCENTAGE FOR EACH OF THESE CITIES AND
THE COUNTY. SHE ADDED WHEN YOU COMPARE DUNN'S COLLECTION RATE WITH
OTHER COLLECTION RATES, USING ANGIER AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE YEAR ENDED
849
6/30/01, THE CITY OF DUNN WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED $45,557.71 IN COLLECTIONS
DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. SHE FURTHER STATED THE COUNTY ALSO CHARGES AN
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO COLLECT TAXES(ONE -HALF CENT NOW) WHICH WOULD HAVE
TOTALED $9,048.74.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THEY WOULD SEE ON THIS LIST FURTHER COLLECTION
COMPARISONS AND ADMINISTRATION FEES. SHE ADDED THAT HER OPINION IS THIS
WOULD NOT BE A GOOD MOVE FOR THE CITY.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY WHAT IS THE NET RESULT OF THIS
FOR POTENTIAL SAVINGS. MS. DAUGHTRY STATED SHE WAS LOOKING FOR SAVINGS BUT
FOUND NONE. SHE ADDED THAT BASED ON THE CALCULATIONS, IF THE TAX BILLING
AND COLLECTION WAS ELIMINATED, THERE WOULD BE AN EXPENSE OF $29,219.39. SHE -,
FURTHER STATED ADMINISTRATIVE FEES WOULD BE CHARGED BY THE COUNTY AND
DUNN'S COLLECTION RATE WOULD GO DOWN RESULTING IN AN DECREASE OF MONEY
COLLECTED EACH YEAR.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY WHY WOULD DUNN'S COLLECTION
RATE GO DOWN. MS. DAUGHTRY RESPONDED BECAUSE DUNN'S COLLECTION RATE IS SO
MUCH HIGHER. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT DUNN IS MORE FORCEFUL IN COLLECTION
EFFORTS AND THE ONLY THING SHE CAN GO ON IS DUNN'S HISTORY OF COLLECTION
WHICH SHE HAS PROVIDED.
MR. WOMBLE ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY IF THE CITY'S TAX LEVY WOULD BE INCLUDED ON
THE HARNETT COUNTY TAX BILL LIKE THE OTHER COMMUNITIES, CAN DUNN STILL
ENFORCE COLLECTIONS OF LATE TAXPAYERS.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THE OTHER THING TO CONSIDER 1S THE TAX COLLECTOR HAS
OTHER DUTIES THAT WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN ON BY SOME OTHER PERSONNEL. SHE
ADDED YOU WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ONE OF THE PART -TIME POSITIONS FULL TIME
WHICH WOULD NOT ELIMINATE A LOT. SHE FURTHER STATED TO ENFORCE THEIR OWN
COLLECTIONS, IT WOULD REQUIRE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS PROPERTY TAX LAW.
MR. WOMBLE ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY WHAT CAUSES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2001
COLLECTION RATE OF 98.96% AND THE LOWEST COLLECTION RATE OF 94.86% AND IF IT IS
A RESULT OF OTHER COMMUNITIES NOT PURSUING THE COLLECTION OF PAST DUE
TAXES LIKE DUNN.
MS. DAUGHTRY RESPONDED THAT ANGIER AND COATS TAXES ARE COLLECTED BY
HARNETT COUNTY AND SHE DID NOT KNOW WHY THEIR COLLECTION RATE WAS LOWER.
SHE ADDED OUR TAX COLLECTOR ALWAYS SEARCHES FOR WAYS TO COLLECT TAXES
AND IS VERY FORCEFUL IN COLLECTING.
MR. WOMBLE ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY IF DUNN WAS ABLE TO COLLECT THE COST OF THE
COLLECTION TO THAT. MS. DAUGHTRY RESPONDED THERE IS A $10.00 LEVY FEE FOR HER
EFFORTS. MR. WOMBLE ASKED ATTORNEY POPE IN BEING AGGRESSIVE IN COLLECTING
UNPAID TAXES, COULD THE CITY IMPOSE A FEE LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THE CITY'S
COST TO MAINTAIN THEIR HIGH COLLECTION PERCENTAGE. MR. POPE RESPONDED HIS
GUESS WOULD BE NO. HE ADDED YOU CAN IMPOSE COST ON A DELINQUENT TAX PAYER
IN A COURT PROCEEDING BUT ABSENT A COURT PROCEEDING, THERE IS PROBABLY A
LIMIT ON WHAT YOU CAN CHARGE IN COLLECTION EFFORTS JUST AS THERE IS ON A
PRIVATE COLLECTION AGENCIES.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THERE WOULD BASICALLY BE NO COST SAVINGS IF THIS WAS
TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY. SHE ADDED THAT IF THIS POSITION WAS ELIMINATED,
THE CITY WOULD STILL HAVE TO HIRE SOMEONE IN A FULL -TIME POSITION TO ASSUME
THE OTHER DUTIES AND KEEP TRACK OF TAX COLLECTION.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED MR. WOMBLE WHY WOULD THE CITY GIVE THEIR TAX
COLLECTION OVER TO THE COUNTY AND LOSE FOUR OR FIVE PERCENT.
MR. WOMBLE RESPONDED HIS QUESTIONING WAS TO ASCERTAIN WHY YOU ARE LOSING
FOUR PERCENT. MR. WOMBLE ADDED YOU ARE NOT GIVING ANYTHING TO THE COUNTY
AND IF THIS WAS DONE, YOU WOULD RECEIVE ONLY ONE PROPERTY TAX BILL PAYABLE
TO THE COUNTY. HE FURTHER STATED THEN THE COUNTY WOULD REMIT PAYMENT
BACK TO THE TOWN AS OPPOSED TO THE CITY GETTING THIS SAME INFORMATION AND
MAILING OUT BILLS SEPARATELY.
MR. WOMBLE STATED IT APPEARS THAT THE CITY'S COST OF DOING THIS IS
APPROXIMATELY $30,000.00. HE ADDED TIIE CITY WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COUNTY AN
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE OF APPROXIMATELY $10,000.00 RESULTING IN A $20,000.00
SAVINGS. HE FURTHER STATED THE REDUCTION IN THE COLLECTION PERCENTAGE IS
PRIMARILY FROM THE EFFORTS OF THE TOWN TO FOLLOW UP ON UNPAID TAXES AS
OPPOSED TO THE FACT THAT THE CITY'S TAX BILL IS INCLUDED WITH THE COUNTY.
MR. WOMBLE STATED THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO POSSIBLY SAVE THIS $20,000.00 BUT
STILL AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE THE COLLECTION OF THE UNPAID TAXES TO MAINTAIN
OUR PERCENTAGE ESPECIALLY IF WE CAN CHANGE THE FEES CHARGED ON THE
ME
COLLECTION SIDE, WHETHER IT BE BY PAYING AN ATTORNEY TO SUB THIS OUT AND
ONLY BE COMPENSATED BY THE FEES THE CITY CHARGES OR ENOUGH TO PAY
SOMEONE IN HOUSE TO DO IT. HE ADDED THAT EITHER WAY, IT LOOKS LIKE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE $20,000.00 PER YEAR.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY IF THE CITIZENS RECEIVED A
PERCENTAGE DISCOUNT IF THEIR TAXES ARE PAID ON TIME. MS. DAUGHTRY
RESPONDED THAT THE CITY DOES OFFER A DISCOUNT AND IF COLLECTION WERE
TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY, THIS OPTION WOULD BE ELIMINATED BECAUSE THE
COUNTY DOESN'T OFFER THE DISCOUNT.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED IF THE CITY GIVES EVERYTHING TO THE COUNTY, THEN
THE COUNTY MIGHT AS WELL RUN THE CITY.
`. COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THE CITY MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THE CITY OF
DUNN SIGN DOWN AND CHANGE IT TO HARNETT COUNTY. HE ADDED WHAT WILL THE
CITIZENS HAVE.
MAYOR OUDEH STATED THE CITY OF DUNN DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB WITH TAX
COLLECTION, AND HE DOESN'T THINK THE CITY NEEDS TO TALK TO THE COUNTY AT
ALL.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED SHE IS FOR THINGS THAT SAVE MONEY. SHE ADDED IF THE CITY
OF DUNN HAD COLLECTED AT THE COUNTY'S RATE FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, THE
CITY OF DUNN WOULD NOT HAVE HAD $76,866.00. SHE FURTHER STATED IF THE COUNCIL
TAKES THIS POSITION AWAY, SHE DOESN'T SEE ANY SAVINGS. SHE STATED THAT ANY
ENFORCEMENT MADE BY THE COUNTY THEN THE COUNTY WOULD COLLECT THE FEE
AND NOT THE CITY OF DUNN.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED HE WAS AGAINST THIS 100% AND HE WILL VOTE
AGAINST IT.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THEY WERE STILL COLLECTING INFORMATION. HE
ADDED IT WAS A LEGITIMATE QUESTION OF WHY THE CITY OF DUNN COLLECTS A
HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAN THE COUNTY AND NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER.
MR. WOMBLE STATED THIS IS SOMETHING BUSINESSES DO ALL THE TIME. HE ADDED
THEY LOOK AT WAYS THEY CAN SAVE MONEY, PARTNERSHIP AND SUB - CONTRACT WITH
OTHER PEOPLE. HE FURTHER STATED THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF A SYSTEM ALREADY IN PLACE THAT WE ALREADY PAY FOR AND GET THIS SERVICE
FOR LESS MONEY THAN DOING IT OURSELVES. HE STATED THIS IS SOMETHING THEY
ALREADY PAY AS TAXPAYERS OF THE COUNTY AND IT SEEMS SILLY TO PAY EXTRA FOR
THE SAME THING.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED SHE WILL LOOK INTO ENFORCING THEIR OWN COLLECTIONS
BUT YOU STILL HAVE THE ISSUE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES. SHE ADDED IF SHE
THOUGHT THIS WOULD SAVE THE CITY MONEY SHE WOULD BE FOR IT BUT NO ONE
SEEMS TO BE HEARING THAT SHE WOULD STILL NEED PERSONNEL TO TAKE ON OTHER
DUTIES IF THIS POSITION WAS ELIMINATED.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED THAT THE COUNTY DOES NOT ALLOW DISCOUNTS FOR PAYING
TAXES ON TIME. SHE ADDED ANOTHER OPTION AT ELIMINATING EXPENSES WAS TO
RESCIND THE DISCOUNT FOR EARLY PAYMENT OF TAXES. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT
IN ORDER FOR THE DISCOUNT TO BE RESCINDED, THE NC GENERAL STATUTE REQUIRES
THAT A RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED BY MAY 1 ST FOR TAXES DUE SEPTEMBER 1sT
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT NEEDS TO BE ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT YEAR.
MS. DAUGHTRY STATED SHE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE TAX COLLECTOR
SITUATION, BUT SHE BUDGETED VERY CONSERVATIVELY AND DOESN'T FEEL ANYTHING
ELSE COULD BE ELIMINATED.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY HOW MANY MUNICIPALITIES STILL
OFFERED DISCOUNTS FOR PAYING TAXES EARLY. MS. DAUGHTRY RESPONDED THERE
WERE VERY FEW.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY IF THE CITY'S MONEY FLOW WAS
AFFECTED BY CITIZENS PAYING THEIR TAXES EARLY. MS. DAUGHTRY RESPONDED YES.
SHE STATED THE CITY COLLECTS ONE -THIRD OF THEIR TAX REVENUE DURING AUGUST
AND THE DISCOUNT IS GOOD THROUGH THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST. SHE ADDED THE
MAIN PEOPLE WHO UTILIZE THIS OPTION ARE MAJOR BUSINESSES THAT HAVE HEFTY
TAX BILLS AND SENIOR CITIZENS.
851
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF AUSTIN TEW STEPPED FORWARD TO PRESENT HIS PROPOSAL FOR THE FY2002 -2003
BUDGET.
MR. TEW STATED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO CUT THEIR BUDGET BY AN
ADDITIONAL $17,970.26. HE ADDED THESE CUTS WILL STRETCH THEIR BUDGET TO THE
MAX BUT BELIEVES THAT THEY CAN WORK WITHIN THESE CONSTRAINTS. HE FURTHER
STATED THE ONLY UNCONTROLLABLE FACTOR IN THEIR BUDGET IS THE NUMBER OF
FIRE CALLS THEY HAVE NEXT YEAR AND IF THEY EXCEED LAST YEARS NUMBER OF
CALLS FOR SERVICE, THIS BUDGET WILL MORE THAN LIKELY NOT BE SUFFICIENT.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF THIS KEEPS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS /" 1
AS THEY ARE NOW.
MR. TEW RESPONDED YES. HE STATED AS THE BUDGET IS PROPOSED, IF THEY PULL ALL
THEIR SALARY RELATED EXPENSES SUCH AS RETIREMENT, HOSPITALIZATION, TAXES,
ETC. FROM THE BUDGET, IT WOULD LEAVE $83,960.00 TO MAINTAIN TWO STATIONS AND
TWELVE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYWAY TO ELIMINATE OR REDUCE
OVERTIME AND WHAT CAUSES OVER TIME.
MR. TEW RESPONDED THERE ARE FOUR PAID STAFF MEMBERS. HE ADDED HE IS EXEMPT
FROM OVERTIME BUT IF THE OTHER THREE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO COME BACK AFTER
HOURS (FOR FIRE CALLS BETWEEN 5:00 PM & 8:00 AM & TO TEST GENERATORS AT CITY
HALL), THEY ARE PAID OVERTIME.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED IF THESE EMPLOYEES COULD BE GIVEN COMP TIME IN
PLACE OF OVERTIME. MR. TEW RESPONDED IT WOULD BE HARD TO GIVE TIME OFF
WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE FOUR EMPLOYEES AND FULL TIME FIREFIGHTERS CANNOT
VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME BACK TO THE CITY FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING PER THE
FEDERAL WAGE AND HOUR BOARD.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. TEW IF HE COULD RESTRUCTURE THE OVERTIME.
MR. TEW RESPONDED YES BUT SERVICE WOULD BE CUT.
COUNCILMEMBER WOMBLE ASKED MR. TEW WHAT WERE THE DUTIES OF THE FOUR
FULL TIME STAFF MEMBERS. MR. TEW RESPONDED HIS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDED \,
ADMINISTRATIVE AS WELL AS FIGHTING FIRES. HE STATED THE STATION CAPTAIN IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDULING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND SUPERVISES THE OTHER
FULL TIME POSITION. HE ADDED THE OTHER POSITION WAS A FULL TIME/PART TIME
POSITION THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDULING OTHER PART TIME EMPLOYEES AND
ALSO RESPONSIBLE TO THE STATION CAPTAIN AND RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING PRE -FIRE
PLANS. HE FURTHER STATED THE FOURTH EMPLOYEE WAS A FIRE PROTECTION
SPECIALIST WHO IS A DAY -TIME FIREMAN AND HE ALSO CHECKS TRUCKS DAILY. HE
STATED THEY HOPE TO FILL THE FIRE INSPECTOR'S JOB IN JULY AND HIS JOB CONSISTED
OF FIRE INSPECTIONS OF ALL BUILDINGS AND FIRE PREVENTION FOR ALL THE SCHOOLS
AS WELL AS FIGHT FIRES WHEN CALLED.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER ASKED CHIEF TEW WHO MAINTAINED THE FIRE HYDRANTS.
CHIEF TEW STATED THEIR PART TIME PEOPLE PERFORM HYDRANT MAINTENANCE.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON STEPPED FORWARD TO PRESENT HIS PROPOSAL
FOR THE FY 2002 -2003 BUDGET.
MR. HUDSON STATED IN THIS CRISIS, THE ONLY WAY THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT
WAS ABLE TO CUT THEIR BUDGET WAS BY CUTTING OUT SOME PROGRAMS. HE ADDED
THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AND YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE PUT FIRST AND
FOREMOST. HE FURTHER STATED THEY OPERATED ON A BUDGET OF $480,000.00 LAST
YEAR.
MR. HUDSON STATED WITH AN ADDITIONAL $24,000.00 CUT, HE WILL BE OPERATING
WITH A BUDGET THAT HE OPERATED WITH IN 1999. HE ADDED THAT THE TWO THINGS
HE DID NOT WANT TO DO WAS CUT PERSONNEL OR YOUTH PROGRAMS. HE FURTHER
STATED THE $24,000 OPERATIONAL CUT CONSISTED OF CUTTING OUT ADULT ATHLETIC
PROGRAMS AND THAT BASICALLY RESULTED FROM DWINDLING NUMBERS OF ADULT
TEAMS PARTICIPATING OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
MR. HUDSON STATED THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY FIFTY YOUTH TEAMS THIS YEAR.
HE ADDED THE $24,000.00 WILL BE SAVED BY CUTTING BACK IN USE OF PART TIME HELP,
CONTRACT LABOR TO PAY OFFICIALS, SCOREKEEPERS, ETC. TO OVERSEE ADULT
ATHLETICS. HE FURTHER STATED THEY WILL RAISE SPONSORSHIPS FOR YOUTH TEAMS
BY $25.00 AND WILL ALSO FIND SPONSORSHIPS FOR YOUTH SOCCER TEAMS AND YOUTH
BASKETBALL TEAMS, SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT DONE IN THE PAST TEN YEARS. HE
852
STATED THIS WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY IN OFF SETTING THE LOST REVENUE FROM
ADULT ENTRY FEES.
MR. HUDSON STATED IF ADULT LEAGUES ARE CUT OUT, IT WILL SAVE IN UTILITY BILLS
FOR THE CIVIC CENTER.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. HUDSON WHAT MAKES UP THE OVERTIME THAT IS
PAID.
MR. HUDSON RESPONDED THEY HAVE A STAFF OF SIX. HE ADDED HE WORKS 60 TO 70
HOURS A WEEK BUT IS EXEMPT FROM OVERTIME PAY. HE FURTHER STATED WHEN YOU
HAVE FOUR BALLFIELDS WITH THAT MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER, YOU CANNOT HIRE
SOMEONE OFF THE STREET TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE DURING GAMES.
i HE STATED THE BULK OF OVERTIME IS MADE DURING APRIL, MAY AND NNE. HE ADDED
YOU CANNOT LET SOMEONE OFF DURING THE DAY WHEN YOU HAVE SIXTY ACRES TO
CUT, FIELDS TO PREPARE, MAINTAINING A CIVIC CENTER, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND
OTHER FACILITIES. HE FURTHER STATED THAT MOST OF THE OVERTIME PAY GOES
TOWARD THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, THOSE THAT WORK AT NIGHT, WEEK END
TOURNAMENTS, AND PERSONNEL TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE COMMUNITY BUILDING.
MR. HUDSON STATED THE PART -TIME MONEY IS USED TO PAY ONE PART -TIME POSITION
AND LIFEGUARDS. HE ADDED THE PARKS ARE USED HEAVY DURING THIS THREE MONTH
PERIOD. HE FURTHER STATED BY DOING AWAY WITH FREE PLAY ON SATURDAY HELPED
ELIMINATE SOME OVERTIME PAY.
MR. HUDSON STATED THAT HE TRIES TO GIVE THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TIME OFF BUT
ITS HARD WHEN THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WORKS UNTIL 11:00 P.M. AT THE PARK AND
THEN HE HAS TO REPORT SCORES FROM SIX DIFFERENT BALLFIELDS BY 8:00 A.M. THE
NEXT MORNING IN ADDITION TO CUTTING GRASS, ETC. HE ADDED THE RECREATION
DEPARTMENT IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THESE WERE THE ONLY CUTS IN
HIS ESTIMATION THAT COULD BE MADE.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CAPTAINS MORRY DENNING AND RONNIE RADCLIFFE STEPPED FORWARD TO PRESENT
THEIR PROPOSAL FOR THE FY 2002 -2003 BUDGET.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET WAS ALREADY TIGHT
AND THEY LOOKED AT WAYS OF SAVING THROUGH OPEN PERSONNEL POSITIONS. HE
+' ADDED THAT A COPS VACANCY AND SERGEANT VACANCY WERE OPEN SO THEY TOOK
THE COPS UNIT AND MADE IT INTO ONE UNIT INSTEAD OF TWO. HE FURTHER STATED
THIS GAVE THEM AN EXTRA SERGEANT THEY COULD TRANSFER TO CID, WHICH SAVED
APPROXIMATELY $36,000.00.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT OFFICER POSITION WAS PUT
BACK ON PATROL AND ONE SERGEANT FROM COPS WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE OPEN
SERGEANT POSITION IN CID. HE ADDED BY NNE 30, 2002 ANOTHER COPS OFFICER WILL
BE MOVED BACK TO PATROL AND THIS WILL BE ANOTHER POSITION. HE FURTHER
STATED THEY WERE CONTEMPLATING MOVING AN SRO (SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER)
FROM HARNETT PRIMARY AND PUT BACK ON PATROL DIVISION WHICH WOULD GIVE
THEM FOUR POSITIONS.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THIS IS AS MUCH AS THEY CAN CUT THEIR PATROL DIVISION.
HE ADDED THEY ELIMINATED A PART -TIME DATA ENTRY POSITION AND THEIR DUTIES
WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO FULL TIME PERSONNEL. HE FURTHER STATED HOLIDAY PAY
WHICH IS GIVEN YEARLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS WAS ELIMINATED THIS YEAR AND
INSTEAD WILL RECEIVE DAYS OFF.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THAT $68,336.00 WOULD BE SAVED BY THESE CUTS FOR THE
NEXT FISCAL YEAR NOT COUNTING APPROXIMATELY $110,000.00 SAVED BY THE OTHER
THREE POSITIONS FILLED WITH OPEN SLOTS ALREADY.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. DENNING HOW DOES THE HOLIDAY PAY WORK.
l CAPTAIN DENNING RESPONDED THAT THE TWELVE HOUR PEOPLE HAVE THE OPTION TO
EITHER TAKE THREE DAYS OFF OR GET PAID FOR THREE DAYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS THEY
RECEIVE YEARLY. HE ADDED SOME ARE PAID WHILE OTHERS OPT TO TAKE TIME OFF.
CAPTAIN RADCLIFFE STATED A LOT OF THE OFFICERS LIKE TO SAVE THESE THREE
HOLIDAYS AND GET PAID FOR THEM AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHICH HELPS THEM BUY
CHRISTMAS AND IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF THE COUNCIL DID NOT CUT THIS OPTION.
HE ADDED FOUR FULL TIME POSITIONS HAVE BEEN LOST IN FOUR MONTHS WHICH IS A
SAVINGS OF OVER $130,000.00. HE FURTHER STATED SIX PART -TIME POSITIONS WERE
ELIMINATED.
CAPTAIN RADCLIFFE STATED THAT THERE IS AN SRO OFFICER AT BOTH HARNETT
PRIMARY AND WAYNE AVENUE SCHOOL AND WITH BOTH SCHOOLS BEING SIDE BY SIDE,
853
THEY COULD ELIMINATE ONE OF THESE OFFICERS. HE ADDED ONE OFFICER COULD
COVER BOTH SCHOOLS WITH NO PROBLEM. HE FURTHER STATED THIS WAS DONE FOR
THREE YEARS BEFORE ANOTHER SRO OFFICER WAS BROUGHT IN.
CAPTAIN RADCLIFFE STATED ONE OF THESE POSITIONS IS A GRANT POSITION AND IS
FUNDED FOR ONE MORE YEAR. CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THE SRO OFFICER AT
HARNETT PRIMARY IS FUNDED BY THE CITY. HE FURTHER STATED THE OFFICER FROM
HARNETT PRIMARY WOULD BE PULLED OUT LEAVING THE OFFICER AT WAYNE AVENUE
WORKING AT BOTH SCHOOLS.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THAT THE DUNN MIDDLE SRO OFFICER IS FUNDED BY
HARNETT COUNTY.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED HE TALKED WITH THE COUNTY AND THEY DO
NOT FURNISH AN SRO OFFICER FOR GRADES K -3 THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. HE ADDED
THE COUNTY STATED THEY ONLY FURNISHED SRO OFFICERS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL,
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. AUTRY IF THE COUNTY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE
CITY COMBINING THIS ONE OFFICER TO WORK AT HARNETT PRIMARY AND WAYNE
AVENUE SCHOOL. MR. AUTRY RESPONDED NO BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ALLOCATE AN
OFFICER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AT ANY OF THE SCHOOLS AT THAT GRADE LEVEL.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THEY HAD LOOKED AT EVERY OPTION TO SAVE WITH
PERSONNEL AND THIS WOULD CUT THEM VERY TIGHT.
CAPTAIN RADCLIFFE STATED IF THEY MADE ANY ADDITIONAL CUTS, THIS BUDGET
WOULD BE TOO LOW. HE ADDED THEIR DRUG UNIT HAS BEEN CUT TREMENDOUSLY AND
DOESN'T LIKE DOING THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES GETTING DRUG DEALERS.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED THE CAPTAINS HOW DOES DUNN COMPARE TO OTHER
TOWNS THE SAME SIZE IN TERMS OF MANPOWER.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THE CITY OF DUNN HAS MORE THAN SOME BUT THE CRIME
RATE JUSTIFIES IT. HE GAVE EXAMPLES OF OTHER TOWNS AND THEIR CRIME RATES. HE
ADDED AFTER THESE CUTS, THEY WOULD HAVE 37 PEOPLE. HE FURTHER STATED WITH
TOWNS THE SIZE OF DUNN, THE CRIME RATE AND POPULATION, THEY ARE EQUAL.
CAPTAIN DENNING EXPLAINED HOW THE CRIME RATE IS DERIVED.
MAYOR OUDEH ASKED CAPTAIN DENNING IF THEY CUT THE DEPARTMENT TO 37 PEOPLE,
WOULD IT COMPROMISE THE DRUG PROBLEMS.
CAPTAIN DENNING RESPONDED THEY COULD LIVE WITH IT RIGHT NOW BUT NEEDS TO
BE RE- EVALUATED IN THE FUTURE.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED WHAT DO THE COPS DO.
CAPTAIN RADCLIFFE RESPONDED THAT THE DRUG UNIT IS CONSIDERED THE COPS UNIT.
HE STATED THAT THE COPS UNIT ALSO CONSIST OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OFFICER,
SRO, PAL PROGRAM, THE DRUG OFFICERS AND CANINE OFFICER AND ARE THE ONES
DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC MORE. HE ADDED THE PATROL OFFICERS ARE MORE
REACTIVE IN TAKING REPORTS AND WORKING TRAFFIC.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF THEY HAVE MAINTAINED THE PATROL OFFICERS.
CAPTAIN DENNING RESPONDED YES, THEY ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS TO REPORT.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THEY HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE PAL PROGRAM.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THE PAL PROGRAM OPERATES MOSTLY WITH DONATIONS
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED THE PAL REQUEST FOR UNIFORMS, ETC. WERE
ELIMINATED AND THEY CUT ONE PART -TIME SALARY. HE ADDED THERE WAS NOTHING
THERE BUT SALARY. r' a
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED THE CAPTAINS TO EXPLAIN OVERTIME PAY.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED OVERTIME IS MADE BY CID CALL OUTS, OFFICERS CALLED
IN TO WORK OR ANYONE CALLED TO EXTRA DUTY. CAPTAIN RADCLIFFE STATED
EVENTS HELD SUCH AS THE COTTON FESTIVAL AND GENERAL LEE ACCOUNTED FOR
OVERTIME. HE ADDED SOME OF THESE EVENTS MAY HAVE TO FUND OVERTIME FOR
SECURITY INSTEAD OF THE CITY PAYING FOR IT.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED HOW MUCH OVERTIME WAS BUDGETED.
CAPTAIN DENNING RESPONDED $20,000.00 FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
854
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED IF THE AUXILIARY OFFICERS CAME IN TO HELP.
CAPTAIN DENNING STATED THEY WOULD PROBABLY START UTILIZING AUXILIARY
OFFICERS MORE NEXT YEAR.
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
INTERIM CITY MANAGER STATED LIBRARY DIRECTOR, DEBORAH MELVIN WORKED ON
THE LIBRARY BUDGET. HE ADDED THAT SHE IS LOOKING AT ELIMINATING TWO PART
TIME POSITIONS WHICH WOULD SAVE $18,946.00. HE FURTHER STATED BY THIS CUT, THE
LIBRARY WOULD CLOSE AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY NIGHTS INSTEAD OF 8:00 P.M,
RESULTING IN A CHANGE OF ONLY TWO HOURS LESS PER WEEK.
MR. AUTRY STATED MS. MELVIN WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER BOOK BUDGET BEING
m REDUCED BY $5,000.00 AND REQUESTED THIS TO BE PUT BACK IN PLACE. HE ADDED BY
DOING THIS HER CUTS PROPOSED WOULD BE $13, 946.00 AND SHE DID EXCEPTIONALLY
WELL WITH HER SMALL BUDGET AND CONSIDERING THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A
$9,000.00 CUT.
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED THIS CONSISTED OF THE GOVERNING BODY,
MANAGER'S OFFICE, INSPECTION DEPARTMENT AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE
DEPARTMENT THAT PAYS UTILITY BILLS FOR CITY HALL. HE ADDED THE GOAL FOR
ADMINISTRATION WAS $23,436.22. HE FURTHER STATED IN PREPARING THE ORIGINAL
BUDGET, THE LINE ITEMS WERE REDUCED DRASTICALLY BUT INSTEAD OF FURTHER
CUTS, HE HAD TO INCREASE THE BUDGET BY $6,000.00 TO COVER RETIREES INSURANCE.
MR. AUTRY STATED $5,000.00 WAS CUT FROM THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE WHICH
INCLUDED UPDATING THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. HE ADDED THE INSPECTION
DEPARTMENT HAS TWO EMPLOYEES CONSISTING OF THE INSPECTOR AND
PLANNER/CODE OFFICER. HE FURTHER STATED WHEN THE INSPECTOR IS OUT, A PART -
TIME INDIVIDUAL FROM SAMPSON COUNTY WILL HAVE TO BE UTILIZED. HE STATED THIS
INSPECTOR IS ALSO USED FOR INSPECTING THE HOSPITAL ADDITION AND OTHER MAJOR
JOBS THAT REQUIRES AN INSPECTOR CERTIFIED FOR THESE TYPE OF INSPECTIONS.
MR. AUTRY STATED HE HAS TALKED WITH THE COUNTY IN ASSISTING THE CITY WITH AN
INSPECTOR WHEN NEEDED. HE ADDED AFTER EVALUATING SEVERAL ACCOUNTS, THERE
IS A $5,385.00 INCREASE IN THE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET.
MR. AUTRY STATED THEY ARE WAITING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COST INCREASES. HE
ADDED YEARS. AGO THEY WERE LOOKING AT CHANGING CARRIERS, RESULTING IN A
LATE START GETTING QUOTES FROM COMPANIES AND CAUSING OUR CYCLE TO RUN
FROM OCTOBER TO SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR. HE FURTHER STATED COMPANIES DO
NOT WANT TO QUOTE PRICES THIS EARLY BECAUSE OUR CYCLE ENDS IN SEPTEMBER.
MR. AUTRY STATED INTERIM HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER MOSES GALLION HAS
CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND REQUESTED THEY START A NEW CONTRACT RUNNING
FROM JULY TO JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. HE ADDED THIS PROPOSAL SHOULD ARRIVE IN THE
NEXT TWO WEEKS. HE FURTHER STATED THEY ARE HOPING TO FALL BELOW THE 20 TO
30 PERCENT INCREASE RANGE THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS RECEIVING.
MR. AUTRY STATED THE INSURANCE NUMBERS WILL HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED IN JUNE
AND SNIPES INSURANCE AGENCY IS PROPOSING OUR NUMBERS FOR THAT INCREASE.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF THEY HAD PROJECTED ANY INSURANCE INCREASES
IN THE BUDGET.
MR. AUTRY RESPONDED YES.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THEY PROBABLY NEED TO ESTIMATE EMPLOYEE
INSURANCE AT $300.00 PER MONTH.
MR. AUTRY STATED THEY NEEDED TO LOOK AT THE PERSONNEL CODE WITH RETIREE
PERCENTAGES MAXIMUM PAY OUT IS STATED TO BE $250.00. HE ADDED THE CITY PAID A
4 PERCENTAGE OF INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES THAT RETIRED WITH OVER 15 YEARS OF
SERVICE. HE FURTHER STATED SOME OF THESE PERCENTAGES ARE NOT IN THE
PERSONNEL POLICY AND NEEDS TO BE DETERMINED.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. AUTRY IF THERE HAS BEEN A POLICY WHERE THE
CITY DID NOT PAY OVER $250.00 PER MONTH FOR RETIREES. MR. AUTRY STATED IT WAS
IN THE PERSONNEL POLICY.
MR. TART ASKED WHY WAS THE CITY PAYING MORE THAN THE $250.00 STATED IN THE
PERSONNEL POLICY FOR RETIREES.
855
FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE' DAUGHTRY RESPONDED THIS ISSUE CAME UP DURING THE
BUDGET RETREAT LAST YEAR AND FAILED TO BE ADDRESSED. SHE ADDED THEY COULD
NOT TERMINATE COVERAGE ON THE RETIREES.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED MS. DAUGHTRY IF SHE COULD GET THEM A LIST OF
ALL THOSE EMPLOYEES RETIRED WITH OVER FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE AND AGE 62.
MS. DAUGHTRY RESPONDED THERE WERE A TOTAL OF TWENTY. SHE ADDED SOME FALL
IN THE 25% RANGE, SOME IN THE 50% RANGE AND ONLY 6 FALL IN THE 100% RANGE.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED IF THE POLICY IS IN PLACE AND IT STATES THE CITY
DOESN'T PAY OVER $250.00 THEN THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AND THAT IN ITSELF
WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION PREVIOUSLY AND THEY
WOULD HAVE HANDLED IT. l
FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE' DAUGHTRY STATED THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE
COUNCIL LAST YEAR AND AT THAT TIME THEY ONLY HAD THREE THAT FELL INTO THE
POLICY.
AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IT WAS SUGGESTED TO MODIFY THE
LANGUAGE IN THE PERSONNEL POLICY.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MR. AUTRY STATED THEY PROPOSE TO PARK THE LIMB TRUCK AND UTILIZE THIS
EMPLOYEE IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT. HE ADDED THERE WAS A VACANCY IN THE
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT AND THEY ARE LOSING ONE POSITION AT $18,000.00. HE
FURTHER STATED THEY ELIMINATED TWO FULL TIME POSITIONS IN THE WATER
DEPARTMENT AND ONE PART TIME POSITION.
MR. AUTRY STATED THERE IS USUALLY $20,000.00 EACH IN DRAINAGE, CONSTRUCTION
AND CURB AND GUTTER ACCOUNTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO $5,000.00 EACH.
HE ADDED THE TOTAL REDUCTION PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC WORKS WAS $22,088.00 AND
NOT THE GOAL OF $68,734.92. HE FURTHER STATED LIMBS WOULD STILL BE PICKED UP
BUT AT A SLOWER PACE.
MR. AUTRY STATED WITH SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH THEIR
GOALS OF ADDITIONAL BUDGET CUTS, THIS EXPLAINS THE DISCREPANCY OF
APPROXIMATELY $125,000.00 IN CUTS THAT SOME DEPARTMENT HEADS COULD NOT
COME UP WITH. HE ADDED THAT INSTEAD OF UTILIZING THEIR GOAL OF $752,400.00
FROM THIS YEAR'S FUND BALANCE, THEY ARE GOING TO NEED $877,245.00.
MR. AUTRY STATED TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET, $877,245.00 IS NEEDED AND IT WILL HAVE
TO BE DECIDED WHETHER TO OBTAIN IT FROM THE FUND BALANCE, ADDITIONAL CUTS
OR MORE REVENUES.
COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED MR. AUTRY TO EXPLAIN OVERTIME FOR THE PUBLIC
WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MR. AUTRY RESPONDED OVERTIME IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT BASICALLY COMES
FROM THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT HAVING FUNERALS ON WEEKENDS. HE ADDED TWO
EMPLOYEES ARE ON CALL FOR WATER BREAKS AND OTHER WATER ISSUES ARE FUNDED
FROM STREET DEPARTMENT. HE FURTHER STATED SANITATION OVERTIME DERIVES
FROM LEAF PICKUP IN HEAVY SEASONS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS TIME AND WATER
DEPARTMENT OVERTIME IS FROM WATER BREAKS.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED HIS CONCERN WAS THAT $107,000.00 WAS SPENT IN
OVERTIME LAST YEAR. HE ADDED THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY JUST FOR OVERTIME.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER RESPONDED THE CITY IS OPEN TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY.
MR. AUTRY STATED WHEN YOU LOOK AT OVERTIME AT THE WATER AND WASTEWATER
PLANTS, THEY ARE ON TWELVE HOUR SHIFTS AND ALTHOUGH IT IS THEIR SALARY, IT
HAS TO BE FACTORED INTO THE OVERTIME LINE ITEM.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED WITH THE INCREASE IN WATER COST, WHY AREN'T
THEY PROPOSING A RATE INCREASE FOR WATER AND SEWER.
MR. AUTRY RESPONDED THE RATES HAVE BEEN INCREASED FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF
YEARS. HE ADDED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, IT WAS PROPOSED TO INCREASE RATES
TWO TO THREE PERCENT EACH YEAR. HE FURTHER STATED THE GRANT APPROVED FOR
DAVIS - MARTIN- POWELL & ASSOCIATES INCLUDED AN IN DEPTH RATE STUDY THIS YEAR
WHICH WOULD COMPUTE THE COST FOR PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING WATER. HE
STATED THERE WOULD BE A DEFINITE RATE INCREASE NEXT YEAR AND DEPENDING ON
HOW THE COUNCIL CHOSE, THEY COULD INCREASE RATES SOME THIS YEAR AND NEXT
YEAR OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
M.-
MR. WOMBLE STATED HE WOULD RATHER SEE SMALL INCREASES INSTEAD OF LARGE
INCREASES ALL AT ONCE. HE ADDED RESIDENTIAL RATES HAVE NOT BEEN RAISED TWO
YEARS IN A ROW AND THEY NEED TO KEEP PACE WITH INCREASING COST.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED HE WOULD PREFER RAISING PROPERTY TAXES
THAN INCREASE WATER RATES BECAUSE A LOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE ON FIXED
INCOMES AND COULDN'T AFFORD HIGHER WATER BILLS.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED HE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE YEAR FOR RAISING
TAXES. HE ADDED WITH 1.8M IN THE WATER FUND, ANY EMERGENCY SHOULD BE
COVERED.
MR. WOMBLE STATED THE WATER AND SEWER IS A SERVICE THE CITY PROVIDES AND
THE FEE CHARGED FOR WATER AND SEWER IS IN A SEPARATE FUND AND SHOULD PAY
FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WATER AND TREATMENT OF WASTE AND SHOULD PROVIDE
FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF FACILITIES AND REPAYMENT OF DEBT BORROWED. HE
ADDED PROPERTY TAXES DON'T ASSIST TOWARD THE PAYMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF
PROVIDING WATER AND SEWER.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THEY STILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE $125,000.00
THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS COULD NOT FIND IN CUTS.
MR. AUTRY STATED THEIR OPTIONS WERE TO UTILIZE MORE FUND BALANCE, CUT MORE
SERVICE OR PERSONNEL, RAISE TAXES OR USE THE $877,245.00 TO BALANCE THE BUDGET
FOR JUNE 1, 2002 AND THEN EVALUATE WHAT HAPPENS WITH REIMBURSEMENTS
THROUGH THE MONTH OF JUNE.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED HE WAS AGAINST RAISING TAXES AND SUGGESTED
THEY WAIT UNTIL JUNE TO SEE IF THE LEGISLATURE WILL RELEASE FUNDS TO
MUNICIPALITIES.
COUNCILMEMBER WOMBLE STATED IF TAX REVENUE IS NOT INCREASED, THEN THEY
NEED TO FIND ANOTHER $125,000.00 TO CUT. HE ADDED THEY HAVE GONE FROM A
4M FUND BALANCE WHEN THEY TOOK OFFICE DOWN TO 1.5M.
MAYOR OUDEH SUGGESTED THE COUNCIL'S SALARIES BE CUT. MR. WOMBLE
RESPONDED HE HAD STATED HIS REASONS FOR NOT CUTTING THEIR SALARIES.
MR. WOMBLE STATED THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT
THAT WOULD BRIDGE THIS $125.000.00 GAP AND IT DOESN'T CUT SERVICE TO THE
CITIZENS AND IT DOESN'T INCREASE TAXES OR REDUCE THE FUND BALANCE. HE
FURTHER STATED THIS BUDGET IS CUT TO THE BARE BONE AND THIS BUDGET DOESN'T
INCLUDE ANY EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT OR INCREASES FOR PROPERTY AND HEALTH
INSURANCE.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED A .03 CENT TAX INCREASE WOULD EQUAL $124,000.00.
HE ADDED THEY HAD TO COME UP WITH THIS MONEY AND THEY CAN'T DEPLETE THE
GENERAL FUND THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR.
THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED OTHER ALTERNATE WAYS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET
INCLUDING MERGING THE DISPATCH SERVICES.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER TO ADD
TO THE AGENDA DISCUSSION ABOUT THE VACANT COUNCIL SEAT. MOTION CARRIED 4 -1
AYES NOES
BASS ROBINSON
SUMNER
TART
WOMBLE
MAYOR OUDEH STATED HE HAS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MR. DONNIE OLDS STATING
HIS INTEREST IN FILLING THE VACANT SEAT OF WARD 2. HE ADDED THE CITY COUNCIL
WILL NEED TO DECIDE IN WHICH DIRECTION THEY WISH TO PROCEED WITH FILLING THIS
VACANCY.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE SUGGESTED A PRESS RELEASE BY THE LOCAL PAPER TO
ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AND CONSIDER THEM AT THE JULY MEETING.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED HE FELT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM WARD 2 SHOULD BE
IN PLACE BEFORE VOTING ON THE BUDGET.
MR. WOMBLE STATED AMPLE TIME NEEDS TO BE GIVEN FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE
PUBLIC. HE ADDED THEY NEED TO CONSIDER EVERYONE THAT HAS AN INTEREST.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THE PROPER TIME TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IS NOT
AT A BUDGET WORKSESSION BUT A SPECIAL CALL MEETING SHOULD HAVE BEEN HELD
TO DISCUSS THIS.
i5. /
MR. WOMBLE STATED THERE WOULD BE NO WAY FOR A NEW COUNCILMEMBER TO
CATCH UP WITH ISSUES OF THE BUDGET. HE ADDED THEY NEED TO ALLOW THIRTY
DAYS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO COMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND RETURN THEM BEFORE THE
END OF JUNE TO DISCUSS AT THE JULY MEETING.
COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THE BUDGET WAS FOR THE ENTIRE CITY AND HE
DOESN'T SEE THAT THEY ARE LEAVING OUT ANY WARD.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED HE WOULD BE ABSENT AT THE JUNE MEETING.
MAYOR OUDEH SUGGESTED AN APPLICATION DEADLINE OF JUNE 15, 2002. THE COUNCIL
AGREED.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO
AUTHORIZE THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE FOR THE WARD 2
VACANCY AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGH JUNE 15, 2002. MOTION
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AUTRY STATED HE MUST HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET ON JUNE
1, 2002 AND HE NEEDS THE DIRECTION TO GO TO FIND $877,245.00.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED EVERYONE KNEW WHERE HE AND COUNCILMEMBER
BASS STOOD AND NOW IT WOULD BE UP TO THE OTHER THREE COUNCILMEMBERS.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE AND COUNCILMEMBER
BASS WHERE THEY STOOD. MR. WOMBLE RESPONDED THEY NEED TO STAY ON THEIR
ORIGINAL TARGET SO THEY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER $125,000.00 IN CUTS.
COUNCILMEMBER BASS RESPONDED THEY NEED TO TAKE AN ADDITIONAL $125,000.00
FROM THE FUND BALANCE.
COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER STATED YOU HAVE TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN
EXTRAORDINARY TIMES AND HE PROPOSED TO USE THE FUND BALANCE.
COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED MR. AUTRY IF THE FUND BALANCE COULD BE
REPLACED.
MR. AUTRY RESPONDED IF SOME OF THE STATE REVENUES COME IN, THEN THIS AMOUNT
WOULD GO BACK INTO THE FUND BALANCE. HE ADDED THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO GO IN
FUND BALANCE IF CAPITAL PURCHASES ARE MADE.
THE COUNCIL HAD FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUND BALANCE
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON TO
DIRECT THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO USE AN ADDITIONAL $125,000.00 FROM THE
FUND BALANCE FOR THE PRINTING OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET ON JUNE 1, 2002 AND THIS
BUDGET CAN BE CHANGED ANYTIME DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE BY THE COUNCIL.
MOTION CARRIED 3 -2.
AYES NOES
BASS WOMBLE
ROBINSON TART
SUMNER
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED HE WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THIS IS
NEARL�' $900,000.00 BEING SPENT FROM THE FUND BALANCE.
7 �� �
WITH NO FU13 T4 . TI?S@ltSA ➢d .ISCUSS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:55 P.M.
SEAS- a
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DEBRA G. WEST
DEPUTY CLERK
YOR
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