Mount Olive board puts off salary discussion
By Kelly Corbett
Published in News on November 13, 2011 1:50 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- When the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners approved its 2011-12 budget in June, members promised town employees they would revisit the issue of pay raises by the end of the year. However, employees may have to wait another month for any news as Town Manager Charles Brown said Monday night that no decision has been made and that the committee examining the issue will have to meet again before the board's Dec. 5 meeting.
"I suspect sometime before Dec. 1," he said.
The town board Monday night also approved the changes to the historic depot fee schedule, but agreed to not apply the new fees to groups that have already reserved it.
"It won't be retroactive," Brown said.
Under the new schedule, there is now a flat rental fee of $200 instead of charging for use by the hour. The deposit amount has also been increased to $300 and must be paid within five days of the request being made. Nonprofits, though, can use the facility at no charge as long as they sign a waiver of liability.
The board also formally approved the acceptance of the 2010 Airport Vision 100 grant for the jet fuel farm. The funds total $172,000, including $150,000, plus the rollover from last year.
"Our match has already been paid," Brown said.
The local match was $54,000 of credit for the value of land. The town will not have to provide a match for the next three years because of the credit.
In other business, Unity Group member and Black History Parade organizer Vickie Darden approached the board about the police department providing coverage for the annual February event. She was told the town had budgeted $2,000 for overtime costs -- the same as last year. Also approaching the board was Pierre Pognon, who was granted a special use permit for an automotive sales office at 603 N.C. 55 W. on the condition that he only display a maximum of 10 cars on the lot and the spot is for display and sales only, not for cleaning, detail or repairs. All of the adjoining property owners of the lot have been notified.
And finally, town attorney Carroll Turner said the board had to send the resolution United States Department of Justice by Friday regarding the redistricting plan, requesting the department give special consideration to approve the resolution since it could take up to 60 days for a response. Turner was required by the DOJ to give the names of four or five minority residents, whom he randomly chose, to be contacted about whether or not they are satisfied with the plan. Board members may be contacted as well.