Monticello City Council Discusses Budget

Members of the Monticello City Council heatedly discussed the proposed 2013 budget that was to be adopted Tuesday, then decided to hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, June 26 at 6 p.m. for that purpose.

City Manager Bob Schwartz said that the millage rate for the city would not change with the current budget, should it be approved.

The council members were given summaries of the budget in their packets, and Mayor Bryan Standifer noted that there had been four budget work sessions over the last month so council could go through the budget line by line. A number of citizens and council members had been at those meetings, although Councilman Randy Strozier and Mayor Pro-tem Bobby Jacobs did not attend any of those meetings.

Mr. Schwartz read a Resolution that would precede the budget which included a section stating “That the City Manager shall prepare a cash flow plan to govern the scheduling of all capital purchases contained herein.” This was suggested by Councilwoman Katherine Alexander, so that no capital item may be purchased on/with credit.

When the Mayor asked the council about questions on the budget, Councilman Randy Strozier, asked why the city needs a $77,000 building?

Mayor Standifer said that the building would be for the gas, streets, and electric departments. It would serve as a central hub, allowing more accountability of employees as well as equipment, and storage with more controls. He said that it would require less electricity, saving the city money.

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Councilwoman Alexander also noted the long term savings that the shop would have on accountability, less thefts and missing equipment. She noted that the capital items would be better taken care of and would come close to evening out the expense for the shop. She also noted that the old fire house, the current maintenance shop was using a tarp for a roof, and that none of the buildings were in good condition.

Mr. Strozier noted that of the three shops that would be combined, there are ways to be saving on those now. He said that the air and the lights were on at one of the shops, that he knew of right now, and no one was there. “There are other ways that we can save money,” he said.

Bobby Jacobs inquired as to a line item on the actual budget, $52,000 for two new police cars, and Mr. Schwartz noted that capital expense went to $16,000 for the purchase of two used vehicles. The used cars would be bought from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and were in good shape.

After discussion between Mr. Jacobs, Mrs. Alexander, Mr. Strozier, and Cornell Williams, Mayor Pro-tem Jacobs Jacobs noted that “basically this [capital] will be on a list that we’ll never be able to do.”

The Mayor interjected then and said that the council met in numerous work sessions and went through “this budget line item, by line item.” He said that there were things the city had for its customers, and that it took equipment to do these things. He said that cross training and the maintenance of vehicles would improve this greatly, and that his standpoint sees it as being proactive, rather than reactive.

The mayor stated this because as this reporter learned for the last month all of these same questions have been asked and answered in work sessions. “We met in these previous sessions to discuss all of these items. It was a debate, a civil debate, and it’s your [the Council’s] budget.” “At the end of the day, we have to agree on something.”

He stated that the Council members needed to do their homework, and that the meeting on June 26 would serve as a budget adoption work session and meeting, since some council members were not ready to vote on the budget at Tuesday’s meeting as planned.

Mr. Strozier stated, “It doesn’t have to be this year. I agree that we need it, but I see requests for tractors….”

Mr. Strozier asked why the City Clerk’s operating expenses was so high, and was informed by Mr. Schwartz that a lot of miscellaneous items go there, such as unemployment, the bonds for the government complex building, etc.

Earlier in the meeting the Council heard from Dave Dammann with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). He reported that the air had to be fixed in one building and it was around $625. He also said that there were three vacancies to be filled on the DDA board.

Police Chief Bobby Norris gave his monthly report of 88 cases, 312 calls, two bench warrants and a dismissal. He stated that $3,385 were collected in revenues for the month.

Councilwoman Alexander asked about what was being handed out as a judgment. She stated that the same amount of money is collected but the number of cases vary.

Mr. Strozier commented that the fines should be different between cases. The chief said that he just collects the numbers, he doesn’t add them up.

Mrs. Alexander said “I understand but whether we have 22 cases or 88 cases the dollar amount stays in the same range, and it’s usually at best between $2,200 and $4,500.

Ted Colvard was also seated at the council table as he is currently serving as Honorary Council member for June. He was selected by Councilman Williams and was asked by Mayor Standifer to say a few words.

“I appreciate this honor. I did enjoy and had a good time at lunch with the mayor and the City Manager and the tour of the water plant was good, I saw how the water plant worked and learned, well observed.”

“I commend Mr. [Wayman] Cody—he’s brilliant and I am glad that we have him. I also want to commend the police department for being maintained and doing a good job even with limited funds.

“And I give the Mayor and the City Manager props because they are doing everything they can to draw industry to our city.”

Mr. Strozier asked why Tillman’s Lawn was still being paid. There was an issue brought up that the city street department could maintain those parks to save money. Tillman’s Specialty Lawn is currently paid $10,000 a year to maintain both Funderburg and West View Parks.

The mayor informed him that there had been discussion, but no action was ever taken to change this. There was much discussion as to whether action had been taken regarding this issue with Tillman’s Specialty Lawn. City Clerk Peggy Billerman was asked to pull the minutes, and at the end of the meeting a citizen asked the result, and she stated, “There was much discussion at a work session in March when Sabrina [Cape] was here, but according to the minutes that were approved no action was taken.”

He also asked why checks are being voided, as there were three on the payables printout. He stated that “what I’m getting at is that checks aren’t being written on time.” He was then informed that the city has no bills outstanding more than 60 days. He said “I just don’t understand why some things get paid on time, and others wait.”

Mrs. Billerman stated that we have paid all of our bills through the middle of May.

This led into discussions about the Get Ahead House food budgets and there was a lot of heresay discussion back and forth and the Mayor concluded that there would be a work session to clear up any confusion.

Mr. Strozier was very vocal in the fact that he knows that there is no money, but it seemed to him that when something [equipment] was needed they found money to purchase that item. He wanted to know why they had to vote on checks for approval that had already been written.

Mayor Standifer replied that all of the checks written were within the budget and all on a plan. He also reminded Councilman Strozier that all of the checks on the payables were signed by two councilmembers—so they were approved.

The council then heard from citizens Jackie Smith, Bobby Sutton, and David Wease. Ms. Smith apologized to the Mayor for her being gaveled down earlier in the meeting and then asked about making reservations at a hotel.

Ms. Smith asked about the grass people, stating that the City Manager or Clerk should be sure to put what was discussed in the work sessions on the next business meeting agenda. She asked are there any additional police officers in the budget, and the answer was no. She replied to that answer that public safety should maybe come before a building. She said that new members need to attend GMA, “it’s vital. There are a lot of things you learn there.”

Mr. Sutton inquired as to where the drain water went and if it could be collected. Mr. Schwartz replied that it was not economically feasible to collect this.

He inquired as to why the city was purchasing two used police vehicles, and was told that the city had two that were just worn out.

He asked why a F-350 was needed at all. What was being hauled with this truck? Mayor Standifer noted that it was being looked into and had come up several times.

Ms. Smith then asked from her seat, why the streets department couldn’t maintain the parks. She was informed by the Mayor that there are only four guys out there and they are already being stretched too thin. With the parks comes equipment purchase such as an industrial mower, the buying of weed killer and pine straw that is currently being supplied by Tillman’s.

There was some discussion between the audience on the accountability of city employees on city time, including being at the grocery store, and barbershop and were asked to call City Hall anytime this was seen. There were comments from the audience about the people there being rude and not wanting to talk and having an attitude.

As the meeting closed not many council members had comments. Mr. Colvard said, “I see and hear a lot of animosity. I can see you all have a tough job. I’m on your side. Keep up the good work. Thank you again, for all you do. Try to curb it between yourselves to make the city better.”

Councilwoman Alexander said, “Thank you Mr. Colvard—for myself the budget is one of the hardest things we do each year. I am all for lowering the budget and increasing efficiency. I am never comfortable with spending citizens’ money. We need to make the right decisions.”