# 2024.04.02 Woodfin Town Council Budget Work Session

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** April 2, 2024 5:00 PM EDT (2024-04-02T17:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The Woodfin Town Council held a budget work session on April 2, 2024, to discuss and refine the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The session focused on capital projects, staffing, and infrastructure improvements, serving as a preliminary step before the budget proceeds to a public hearing and final vote in June.

**Key Decisions**
The council recorded two unanimous votes during the session. Vice Mayor Ervin moved to approve the agenda, which Council Member Kahn seconded; the motion passed 6-0. Additionally, Vice Mayor Ervin moved to approve the consent agenda, including the minutes from the March 19, 2024, Regular and Closed Session meeting, which Council Member Kahn seconded; this motion also passed 6-0. As this was a work session, no formal votes were taken on the specific budget line items or capital projects discussed.

**Discussion Highlights**
A significant portion of the meeting addressed capital projects, particularly those related to parks and stormwater management. Staff presented detailed plans for Silverline Park, including restroom construction and the addition of pickleball courts. Council members discussed the high costs associated with grading due to floodplain regulations and the selection of restroom fixtures, ultimately settling on a National Park-style restroom. Council member Johanna Young raised concerns about the high cost of restroom facilities, prompting a discussion on prioritizing durable fixtures and exploring alternative options.

The council also reviewed the Riverside Park and "The Wave" project, noting that bids were received with a proposed funding gap of $3.3 million to be addressed through passive recreation bond funding, grants, donations, and the general fund. Updates were provided on the Woodfin Blueway Greenway, where Director Isenhower was asked to gather more details on design features and potential cost savings for restrooms at Silverline Park. Regarding street improvements, the council reviewed the completion of FY24 paving on Lake Town Lane and discussed plans for FY25 paving on portions of Skyland Circle, Old Logging Road, Lookout Road, and Secluded Forest Drive.

Other topics included the Stormwater Utility, which exceeded its budget by $4,030 and has $50,737 in uncollected fees; a resolution is moving forward to add the fee to property tax bills. The council discussed reserving funds for a future town hall replacement project, estimated at $9 million, funded by General Fund contributions and debt financing. Personnel discussions focused on the Police Department, including a proposed 3.4% cost-of-living increase for all town employees (amounting to a $102,770 increase), a grade and step program, incentive programs, and a grant-funded School Resource Officer position. The total recommended budget with all requests is $9,496,385, with a projected unrestricted fund balance of $5,438,715 if all expansion items are funded.

**Follow-ups**
Staff agreed to proceed with finalizing the Silverline Park restroom construction plans and to continue pursuing grant funding to cover the full cost of the Wave project. Staff will prepare a proposal for reserving funds in future budgets to support the town hall replacement project and will explore options for implementing a grade and step program and incentive programs to improve officer retention. Director Isenhower was asked to gather more details on design features and potential cost savings for restrooms at Silverline Park, and Director Powers was asked to provide an estimate for a 4% cost of living increase for staff. The Parks and Greenway Committee will revisit restroom facility options with a focus on cost-effectiveness.

**Impact**
This work session established the direction for the FY2025 budget, highlighting significant investments in infrastructure, public safety, and parks. The discussions clarified the funding strategies for major projects like the Wave and the new Town Hall, as well as the financial implications of police retention incentives and cost-of-living adjustments. The council will continue the budget process in May and June, including a public hearing and final vote.

## Agenda

- [Meeting Call to Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202/item/19696)
- [Approval of the Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202/item/19697)
- [Consent Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202/item/19698)
- [Presentation and discussion regarding FY2025 budget matters](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202/item/19699)
- [Other Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202/item/19700)
- [Adjournment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202/item/19701)

## Votes

- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4lYiv1kTw8
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/852/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2024-04-02.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202?document=14341)
- [minutes_2024-04-02.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202?document=14342)
- [presentation_2024-04-02.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1202?document=14343)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4lYiv1kTw8)