Council to look at budget proposal
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on May 19, 2017 9:57 AM
The Goldsboro City Council plans to revisit $336,836 in proposed costs for employees and equipment to operate the future multisport complex during budget deliberations this month.
The city's recommended fiscal 2017-18 budget of $59.3 million includes two new employees for the 62-acre complex and $270,247 in new equipment.
The council, which reviewed the budget during a work session Monday, talked about the possibility of reducing the costs and evaluating the need for new equipment.
"I don't see, right now from a bird's-eye view, that we need all these positions and equipment for the sports complex," Mayor Chuck Allen said.
The council discussed whether some of the equipment, including mowers, could be used by the city Parks and Recreation Department for other field maintenance or if existing equipment could be utilized.
The proposed budget includes $1.8 million in vehicle purchases for different city departments, with many requests including used replacement vehicles. All of the multisport complex vehicles would be new purchases.
The council questioned the cost of the pickup truck for the multisport complex, which is higher than pickup trucks for other departments.
New vehicle and equipment purchases recommended in the budget for the complex include a field rake, $14,000; utility club cart, $10,600; heavy duty mower, $78,889; crew cab pickup truck, $28,500; one-ton pickup truck, $47,500; riding mower, $33,347; and a reel mower, $57,311.
New employee costs include an assistant superintendent, at a half-year a salary cost of $18,636, and a multisport complex manager, at a salary cost of $47,953.
"I can't see why there's so much equipment needed for the multisports complex," Councilman Bevan Foster said.
Allen asked Scott Barnard, Goldsboro parks and recreation director, to compile a list of the department's mowers and employees, along with where they are assigned to work. Allen said the department needs to find ways to be efficient with its resources.
GOLF
COURSE FEES
The council also discussed whether to increase Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course fees, after receiving public concerns that increased fees may result in canceled memberships and a decline in revenue.
In April, the council voted to increase golf course membership and cart fees, with a 10 percent discount for city residents, in an effort to boost revenue to help with operational costs.
The fees are planned to increase on July 1 to $80 per month, with city residents paying $72. The current monthly fee is $62. Golf cart fees will also increase by $1.
No decision was made on the fee proposal. The council plans to revisit the issue during budget deliberations this month.
WATER TANK, STORMWATER FEE
Councilman Antonio Williams asked if the city could wait on painting the city's water tank on Center Street and use the money for other city needs.
The job, which includes stripping off the paint and reattaching the top 30-foot-high pinnacle, is $561,000.
Marty Anderson, Goldsboro chief city engineer, said he prefers to not wait due to rust that was found at the top of the tank. Scott Stevens, city manager, said that if the tank becomes damaged and it fails, the city would bear a greater cost for repair.
No decision was made to remove the water tank paint job from the budget. Anderson said the tank will be painted and the pinnacle reattached before Christmas lights are added prior to the holiday season.
The fiscal 2017-18 budget, which goes into effect on July 1, also includes a new $4.50 per month stormwater fee for all developed property in the city.
The council did not express any concern about the new fee, which will generate more than $1 million in new revenue, which will be used to repair and maintain the city's stormwater system and result in reduced flooding.
The city's stormwater department budget includes employee costs of $142,076 for full and part-time staff, as well as $53,000 in consultant fees, which will pay for the mapping of the city's stormwater system. Two of the city's full-time street sweeping positions are planned to move into the stormwater department, said Kaye Scott, Goldsboro's finance director during the budget presentation.
The council did not make any decisions regarding the budget during its first work session. The council will meet for a second work session Monday at 3 p.m. in the City Hall annex, 200 N. Center St.
The budget is proposed for council approval during its regular meeting on June 5. The budget is available in the city manager's office and on the city website.
REGULAR COUNCIL BUSINESS
The council, during its regular meeting Monday:
* Increased its multisport complex development contract from $3 million to $4 million with the S.T. Wooten Corp.
* Accepted a $105,355 grant from the N.C. Department of Agriculture to remove stream debris in the big ditch, Howell Creek, the Mimosa Park ditch, Stoney Creek and the Little River arbitrary.
* Set a June 26 public hearing for an annexation request of 30.4 acres at the northwest corner of Wayne Memorial Drive and Tommy's Road.
* Approved 12 more street sections to its repaving list, at a cost of $254,652.
* Approved fee increases at the Paramount Theatre for technicians, dark-days, piano tuning, expanded hours and rehearsals. The theatre is adding a new $900 all-day rental package for full-day events.
* Approved fee changes for the Goldsboro Event Center that include reduced fees for two-day events, catering and alcohol and an increase in piano rentals.
* Voted 5-2, with Foster and Williams in opposition, to authorize the mayor the ability to pre-approve council meeting agendas.