Budget planning in works

The Holly Springs mayor and board of aldermen met August 19 to work on the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget, which will be adopted September 9.

Working from last year’s budget as a template and with a proposed budget of just over $500,000 less than last year, city elected officials are seeking ways to save on expenses.

In the police department, a proposed slight increase in part-time staff was proposed as a way to help retain personnel.

In the street department there is a need for a concrete specialist to work on drains and sidewalks, Mayor Sharon Gipson said. And there are ditches that are grown up and need to be cleaned out, for instance on Valley Avenue near the ICS Head Start Center.

In the fire department, chief Rodney Crane asked for increases to promote some captains to lieutenants. And a planned renovation at the fire station that has been put on hold due to high construction prices. Firefighters need a bunk separate from the engine bays where exhaust fumes can compromise health.

Construction costs doubled before any work could be done on the dormitory.

Ward 3 alderman Colter Teel said the firefighters deserve a safe sleeping quarters.

Gipson said some federal COVID money may be available for that project. The cityhas 32 part-time firefighters. Early on in the discussions,

Teel asked the city not increase taxes to residents.

“I want to make sure we are doing something because I don’t want to pay $500 or $600 more,” Teel said.

Gipson said the base pay rate in the city would not fall below $15.50 an hour.

Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones noted a reduction in proposed street repair dollars, saying there are a number of streets left to overlay.

The county supports the city to the tune of about $500,000 as a pass through for streets.

Hill Street and Boundary Street are under consideration for upgrades, Gipson said.

Money is needed for speed bumps, she said.

The mayor said the streets will be looked at by the board to see what the worst streets are and then decide on which ones to work on first and what grant dollars may be available.

Money may be saved by not contracting out grass cutting. Gipson said the city is looking to terminate the contract and have city employees mow grass.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather asked about COVID-19 grant dollars.

Consultant Belinda Sims Hollowell said there is $58,379 in the budget that could be used to purchase masks, cleaning supplies and laptops workers could use to work from home.

“It is revenue you can get, money you can get reimbursed for,” Hollowell said.

More money is needed in the street department for equipment, such as equipment to remove snow and ice, Gipson said.

Savings may be made on group insurance rates by manipulating deductibles and rates, Gipson said.

Merriweather asked about board members’ salaries.

Hollowell said the proposed budget provides for about a 3 percent increase.

“Now is the time if you want to make a recommendation,” Gipson said.

Hollowell said board salaries are at $13,508 a year. That could be increased up to $15,415 based on the projected increase, she said.

A 3 percent increase would add about $33 more monthly to aldermen salaries, Hollowell said, plus another $1,500 for extra meetings to work on the budget.

Jones and Merriweather both wanted to assure that equipment needs should come first before any raises for the board.

“If it comes down to us, it’s not about us,” Teel said.

“But, we will welcome the increase,” Merriweather said.

The proposed budget for recreation was almost doubled.

Teel asked why. Hollowell said the budget is looking at two administrators and money for programs. Playground equipment for the primary school is insufficient so equipment was moved from Sam Coopwood Park to the school.

Gipson said money for recreation can include art classes, internet services, classes in computer training and dressing for an interview.

Teel asked about painting at Sam Coopwood Park.

Gipson said paint would help raise school spirit. And some light fixtures are needed.

“There’s not a lot of room to build, but we can take what we have and take it up a grade,” the mayor said.

Teel suggested fund-raisers such as a brick drive or an organized community work day to get some painting done free.

He asked that flower beds at Holly Springs High School be cleaned and the wrought iron be painted.

Merriweather said she would like a track field at the stadium.

Hollowell said collaboration with the school and the city could help get a track.