Board Proposes Budget

GRIFTON — The Grifton Board of Commissioners, in their workshop meeting last Wednesday, discussed the proposed 2004-2005 budget.

Much of the time was spent on the proposed pay plan built into the budget document. Fleming stated, “I don’t think it surprises anyone what is being proposed. We know we are behind. But to catch up in one year is a lot. I wouldn’t be in favor of that.”

Peoples said the proposed pay scale is just a first phase and is not a catch-up in one year. He said he tried to match up grades and steps with the town’s employees. “It is a good study,” Fleming said, “but it needs greasing.”

Mayor Bright suggested the pay package be studied more in-depth by the board members. The proposed plan is included in the budget as well as a 2.5 percent merit for performance.  Commissioner Johnny Craft said the county salary increase is going to be only 1.9 percent, but Peoples said that is based on a lot high salaries than Grifton employees receive.

Peoples said he is at a point in the budget process that the salaries need to be discussed in order to move forward in the budget process.

Fleming said he doesn’t believe the town can afford what People’s wants to do this year. “I worked out giving a 5.2 percent increase, not counting the merit,” Fleming said. “Going 3% would save us about $7,000 of the budget that you’ve got, not including the Administrator (salary)” Fleming stated. He suggested a 3 percent overall pay raise, noting that he believes in a graduated raise and not trying to do it all in one year.

Fleming pointed tout that to accomplish the budget as presented it would cost him, as a citizen, about $450 more in water, sewer and taxes than it did last year. “My income is not going up,” Fleming said. “I am sure, percentage-wise, that it would be a tough pill to swallow. We have to cut some expenses and I challenge you.”

It was pointed out that the $30,000 to update the police department communications equipment is a must and is a joint effort with Farmville that will save the town some $50,000. It was noted that the funds actually come from the Capital Outlay Fund and is not funded by taxes or fees in the proposed budget year. It was also noted that the town’s Powell Bill funds are lower due to the town’s lower population.

Craft wanted to know if the lights at the Creekside Park, which burn all the time, can be cut off by a switch. Mayor Bright said the lights are on for security reasons.

Craft also questioned who owns the depot. He was told that the town owns the depot and leases it to the Grifton Chamber of Commerce for $1 per year. It was explained that the Chamber rents the depot and that fund pays the light bills. He also questioned the lights that are planned for the depot area and it was pointed out that the lights are part of Grifton’s street plan for security reasons.

Craft said he did not see where the town is getting anything back from the Chamber of Commerce. Peoples said, if anything, the Chamber needs more help from the town. But, Craft responded by saying that what he hears is that no one from the Chamber is going out and really talking to businesses about membership. “It is hard to develop more members,” Bright stated. “Peoples added, “It is a hard sell.”

Peoples said miscommunication caused the town to cut fire department funding last year and he said they have requested additional funding in order to meet their goals for the coming year.

Craft asked if the fire department is still paying rent on the building. He said he’d prefer to see the rent payment stopped, if that be the case, in order to offset what the board is budgeting for them

Fleming questioned street improvement, saying he didn’t believe there is enough money allocated.

The proposed budget actually calls for a reduction in the tax rate from 57-cents per thousand dollar valuation to 55-cents. Peoples said in a telephone interview, however, that because of reevaluation the rate will still have an effect tax increase of 10-cents and bring in an additional $60,000 in revenues. The budget proposes a rise in water and sewer rates on January 1, 2005 to include $1.50 each on the minimum usage and a rise of 50-cents in the per thousand gallon usage. Additionally, the proposed budget includes $2 per customer per month surcharge for being a part of NRWASA and another $1 per month per customer surcharge for the Contentnea Metropolitan Sewerage District (CMSD) capital improvements.

Fleming talked about the decrease in the town’s fund balance. “I challenge you to eliminate anything touching fund balance if we’re gong to stay with that tax rate,” Fleming stated.

Bright said the board has budgeted something from fund balance each year since the flood. And Peoples added that the $40,000 figure is not as alarming as a $70,000 reduction would be. Peoples said he is currently trying to stretch the budget so none of the projected fund balance will be used in the current year’s budget.

Fleming said, “The town has done a lot of good work. The town is better off now than before the flood in my opinion. But sometimes you have to slow down and go back and smell the roses again.”

The board set a special meeting for 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 to review the budget.

Peoples updated the board on the following issues:

-The CDBG grant project ordinance will be ready to adopt at the board’s regular meeting.

-The utility billing program is ready to switch over on June bills. Envelope with include a full-page utility bill. The town will also be using the handheld meter reading system.

-Peoples said the zoning code update is coming along fine. He hopes to have a special meeting with the board and planning board within two months to go over suggested updates.

-The DOT is doing preventative maintenance work in the area and that is why some terrible road conditions are being experienced. The Church Street sidewalk project specifications have been completed. Sidewalks will go around some existing structures. Curb and gutter widening project on Highland Ave. has been bidded out, from McCrae to Patrick Street in phase I. Lobbying for funding for phase II to extend to Forest Acres will be done in an effort to get discretionary funds.

-Pitt County’s Board of  Commissioners approved money for creek snagging but the Lenoir Board of County Commissioners tabled the issue for more information.

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