2024.05.07 Woodfin Town Council Budget Work Session

Meeting Overview The Woodfin Town Council convened a budget work session on May 7, 2024, to review the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and discuss specific capital projects. The meeting focused on finalizing budget items, reviewing the Blue Lake Greenway project, and examining fee schedule adjustments for the Town of Woodfin.

Key Decisions and Votes The Council approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the Regular and Closed Session meetings held on April 16, 2024. Regarding the Blue Lake Greenway project, the Council voted 4-2 to recommend the CXT-Cortex Model for the Silver-Line Park Restrooms. This decision followed a presentation comparing various restroom facility options, including costs for Portland Loos, CXT, and Romtech, with the selected pre-fabricated structure having a base cost of $65,000 that could increase with added features. Additionally, the Council approved the replacement of an aging police vehicle with a small sanitation truck to better serve residents with difficult access.

Discussion Highlights Sheri Powers and Shannon Tuch presented an overview of the FY2025 budget, which includes a proposed expansion budget totaling $2,450,224. This funding covers various projects, including Town Hall, Taylor’s Wave, and improvements to Public Works and the Police Department. The Council discussed potential fee schedule changes, such as new rates for accessory dwellings and homestays, as well as a proposed 4% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for town employees, estimated to cost $120,906. Adrienne Isenhower provided an update on the Woodfin Blueway Greenway capital project, including timelines for Riverside Parks and Taylor’s Wave. The Council also discussed a police pay plan adjustment aimed at improving recruitment and retention, the possibility of transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet in the future, and inquiries regarding the security of overflow evidence stored at the Public Works building.

Community Input The provided summaries indicate that there were no specific public comments recorded during this meeting.

Follow-ups and Next Steps The Council agreed to continue budget discussions at future budget workshops. A public hearing and full budget presentation are scheduled for June, with a final adoption date of June 30th. The Council will vote on the proposed police pay plan adjustment at a later date and agreed to recognize Woodfin Police Department award recipients at a future meeting. The Council also discussed the possibility of receiving county funding for court-ordered improvements, which may impact the budget.