Regular Meeting 1-8-24

Fletcher Town Council Budget Work Session Recap – January 8, 2024

On January 8th, 2024, the Fletcher Town Council held a budget work session to review current projects and begin planning for the upcoming fiscal year. This meeting, attended by all council members, focused heavily on departmental updates and potential future investments impacting residents. The session provided a detailed look at ongoing initiatives, identified areas needing attention, and laid the groundwork for upcoming budget decisions.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates from various departments. The IT department presented a comprehensive overview of ongoing projects, including upgrades to Microsoft Office security, server installations at Town Hall and Fletcher Park, and the implementation of a body camera system for the Police Department. Looking ahead, major projects under consideration include a complete replacement of the town's aging phone system (currently experiencing call quality issues), enhanced cybersecurity monitoring, a backup system upgrade to reduce on-site storage needs, and refreshing desktop hardware to accommodate the end of Windows 10 support in 2025. The Parks & Recreation department highlighted a successful year with over 8,964 program participants and emphasized the need for additional maintenance staff to manage increased park usage. Chief Terry from the Police Department reported a decrease in crime rates, nearly doubled community engagement events, and detailed progress on implementing the body camera system funded by a state grant.

Several key discussions arose during the session, reflecting council priorities and resident concerns. A debate centered around replacing the current phone system provider (Sangoma) due to ongoing call quality issues, with multiple providers expected to be evaluated. The council also discussed potential replacements for the Police Department's patrol vehicles, considering Durangos as an alternative to Chargers. A proposal for license plate readers, potentially allowing access to data from surrounding agencies, was also brought up. Concerns were raised regarding proposed increases in disposal fees for brush and yard waste, prompting a discussion about alternative solutions. Notably, the council approved an increase to the training budget to send Detective Diaz to a National Forensic Academy and agreed on the need for tactical shields at all patrol squad locations.

Moving forward, several action items were identified to guide the budget process and address community needs. The IT department will continue evaluating phone system providers and gathering cost information. Council members are tasked with reviewing the proposed budget items, including vehicle replacements and training opportunities. Staff will explore grant options for extending the Cane Creek Greenway project and discuss how to best utilize excess ARPA funds, aligning with the town's fund balance policy. Finally, contact will be made with Cane Builders to explore utilizing their tub grinder for brush disposal, potentially alleviating concerns about increasing disposal fees.

This budget work session directly impacts Fletcher residents by shaping the services and investments that will be available in the coming year. Improvements to public safety through enhanced security measures, continued investment in parks and recreation facilities for community enjoyment, and modernization of town infrastructure to improve efficiency are all potential outcomes stemming from this planning process. The council's commitment to financial stability and addressing resident concerns will be crucial as they finalize the budget in the coming months. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming budget discussions and opportunities for public input.