HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-17-1999 Budget Worksession
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MINUTES
HILLSBOROUGH TOWN BOARD
May 17, 1999
7:00 PM, Town Barn
The Hillsborough Town Board held a Budget Work Session on May 17th, 1999 at 7:00
PM in the Town Barn. Present for the Work Session were Mayor Horace H. Johnson, Sr.,
Commissioners, Frances Dancy, Kenneth Chavious, Richard Simpson, Evelyn Lloyd and
Catherine Martin. Staff present were Town Manager Eric Peterson, Finance Director Sherry
Carter, Town Clerk Donna Armbrister, Town Engineer Kenny Keel, Planning Director Margaret
Hauth, and Public Works Director Pete Champion.
Mayor Horace H. Johnson, Sr., called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Town Manager Eric Peterson asked the Board to add a Discussion of Engineering Bids
for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion at the end of the meeting. By consensus, the Board
agreed.
Mayor Johnson began the Work Session by recommending a 5~ tax increase for FY99-
00 with 4 ~~ to go into fund balance and ~~ to be used to fund full-time office help at the Police
Department. For FYOO-Ol, he recommended that a another 5~ tax increase with I ~~ to go into
fund balance.
Mayor Johnson stated that the Town needs to get a commitment from Orange County on
their participation in the use and funding for the Community Policing Center in Fairview.
Johnson also recommended that the Non-Profit Agencies' requests be funded at the same
level as in FY98,-99.
Commissioner Dancy recommended no waiting until next fiscal year to increase taxes
and suggested a possible 6~ tax increase for both FY99-00 and FYOO-O I. She said that she wants
the public to be informed of the reasons for these increases.
Commissioner Chavious stated that he agrees that the public needs to be informed on
why the town is in the financial shape it is in at this time.
Commissioner Simpson expressed his desire for the Board to take responsibility for the
current circumst,ances and do what is necessary to improve the situation.
Commissioner Martin commended Town Manager Peterson on the preparation of the
Budget given the restrictions the Board had placed on him.
Commissioner Lloyd recommended a 5~ tax increase for FY99-00. Lloyd also
recommended that the Part-Time (16 hr/wk) Secretarial Position requested for the Police
Department be approved as a Full-Time position.
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Commissioner Simpson commended the Manager on the Budget preparation. He stated
that he is initially leaning toward recommended a 4~ tax increase for FY99-00.
Commissioner Chavious also commended the Manager on the Budget and expressed his
feeling that the tax increases need to be made in increments and not hit the citizens all at once
next year.
Commissioner Lloyd thanked the Chapel Hill Herald reporter for the article he had
written on the Reservoir Project and stated that she felt he did a good job of explaining the
current situation.
Mayor Johnson suggested increasing the Capital Facilities Fees by 10%.
Town Manager Eric Peterson reviewed the proposed Budget, department by department,
with the Board.
The Board directed the Town Manager to cut the Non-Profit Agency funding if necessary
in order to be able to replace the copier at the Town Annex.
By consensus, the Board agreed to review the Utility portions of the proposed Budget on
Thursday, May 20th at 7:00 PM.
Town Manager Eric Peterson and Town Engineer Kenny Keel led a discussion on the
Engineering Services for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion project. Manager Peterson
inquired if the Board would like to meet with representatives of the engineering firms to obtain
further information. Peterson stated that if the Board met with one firm, they should meet with
both.
By consensus, the Board declined the engineering firms offer to come meet with them
stating that they had enough information and would be prepared to make a decision at the May
20th meeting.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Simpson, seconded by Commissioner Chavious, the
Board moved to recess the meeting until Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 PM by a vote of 5-0. The
motion was declared passed.
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Donna F. Armbrister, CMC
Town Clerk
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