Regular Meeting 1-13-25

The Town Council held a regular meeting on January 13, 2025, focusing on departmental updates, budget planning, and administrative approvals. The session included a budget workshop to review past accomplishments and address emerging issues for the FY 2025-2026 budget, alongside presentations from various town departments regarding their current operations and needs.

During the meeting, department heads provided status reports on their respective areas. The IT Department reported that storm recovery efforts were largely successful, with cloud-based security minimizing damage, though a Windows 11 upgrade and new state-mandated internet usage reporting will impact the upcoming budget. The Administration Department highlighted ongoing FEMA reimbursement efforts for Hurricane Helene recovery and noted the upcoming need for a professional services budget covering legal and engineering fees. The Parks & Recreation Department discussed repairs to ball fields scheduled to begin in February and mentioned successful new programs, while noting potential staffing needs. The Police Department reported record-low crime rates and increased community engagement, including a successful fundraiser for the Trauma Intervention Program. They also discussed the potential purchase of "Flock" cameras for license plate recognition, estimated at $15,000 for four units. Public Works reported on trash can replacements, LED lighting conversions, and a new brush truck, while also requesting an additional employee to handle increased workload. Planning & Zoning presented approved amendments to the Land Development Code and discussed ongoing work on the Town Center project and potential greenway funding.

The Council unanimously approved the minutes from previous meetings and the Land Development Code amendments. A motion was made and seconded to approve these items without specific attribution to individual council members in the summary. The Council also approved Budget Amendment #2 and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Planning Organization as part of the consent agenda. Sergeant Ron Diaz presented on his training at the National Forensic Academy, and the Town Manager provided updates on the feasibility of establishing a farmers market and storm-related park repairs.

There were no public comments or testimony recorded during this meeting. Consequently, there were no direct responses from Council members to public input.

The Council agreed to review and confirm schedules for the FY 2025-2026 budget process. Staff members are continuing work on FEMA reimbursement for Hurricane Helene-related repairs, conducting vendor surveys for a potential farmers market, and soliciting competitive bids for street resurfacing projects in the Livingston Farms Subdivision. An engineering services Request for Qualifications for park repairs is due next week, and a surplus property auction is planned for later in the month. The Council will hold a budget workshop in March to continue discussions on the upcoming fiscal year budget.