Budget Workshop 05/10/24

Montreat Budget Workshop Recap: May 10, 2024

On May 10th, the Montreat Town Council held a Budget Workshop to review proposed changes for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). This session focused on key areas including the Police Department’s budget and staffing, other town department needs (Public Works, Water, Sanitation), and potential changes to the town’s health insurance plan. The workshop served as a preliminary discussion, gathering feedback before final decisions are made. No formal votes were taken during the session.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on addressing staffing challenges within the Police Department. Currently, Montreat has four full-time officers and one reserve officer, and concerns were raised about attracting and retaining qualified personnel due to comparatively lower salaries than those offered in neighboring towns. A proposed 10% salary increase (from $41,808 to $45,998) was discussed as a potential solution. Additionally, the council considered providing officers with on-call cell phones to improve communication and explored implementing new policy management software (PowerDMS) for streamlined document access, with an estimated initial setup cost of $800 and ongoing annual costs around $800. Finally, the need to replace the Police Chief's vehicle (2013 model) at an estimated cost of $53,500 was addressed, utilizing state contract pricing.

Beyond the Police Department, discussions covered various town department needs. Public Works faces an aging fleet of machinery and equipment, necessitating increased maintenance budgets and consideration for a $45,000 snowplow for the Ranger to improve winter road maintenance. The Water Department anticipates replacing 200 water meters to enhance billing accuracy, while the Street Department is planning sidewalk construction on Virginia and Conlebury Roads. A notable point of discussion was the Sanitation Department's exploration of contracting out leaf removal services, including disposal, to address landfill restrictions. Concerns regarding safety and security at the convenience center prompted a discussion about installing fencing ($12,000) and security cameras ($8,000), potentially alongside limited hours of operation.

The council also examined options for the town’s health insurance plan, exploring alternatives to the current North Carolina League of Municipalities coverage which is slated for a 5% increase. Two plans from UnitedHealthcare were presented, with varying costs and coverage levels for employee-only and family options. The possibility of offering family health insurance was considered as a recruitment and retention tool, recognizing its potential impact on attracting qualified employees.

Community members voiced concerns about safety at the convenience center, supporting proposals for fencing and security cameras. The need to improve Police Department recruitment and retention was also a recurring theme throughout the discussion, highlighting the challenges of attracting officers to a smaller town.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified. Town staff will distribute detailed emails containing insurance quotes and comprehensive budget information for council review. The next opportunity for residents to engage in the budgeting process will be on Friday, May 24th at 4:00 PM, when the council will reconvene to finalize the budget. The town is also exploring options for financing or utilizing fund balance to cover the Texas Road Bridge project, a significant infrastructure undertaking. These discussions and decisions will ultimately shape town services, property taxes, and the overall quality of life for Montreat residents.