The Wadesboro town council welcomed back three of its members on Monday evening.
Mayor Bill Thacker and Councilmen John Ballard and Jeremy Burr were sworn into office. All were re-elected to their previous positions last month.
Thacker and Ballard were sworn in by retired Superior Court Judge F. Fetzer Mills and Burr was sworn in by his brother, state Rep. Justin Burr, R-Stanly.
The council voted 4-1 to designate Lee as mayor pro-tempore. Councilman Fred Davis nominated and voted for Bobby Usrey.
FINANCE
Town manager Alex Sewell said that while the town is still recovering financially, recent county sewer bills have hurt the funds. With the mild drought over the summer and heavy recent rains, the bills are now almost triple what they were previously, as the rainwater mixes into the pipes and is processed with the sewage, Sewell said.
Councilman James David Lee asked Sewell to see if the county would negotiate the bills since the town can’t control the rainwater getting into the pipes, and Sewell said he would bring the issue to the county.
In the general fund, revenues exceed expenses by about $30,000, Sewell said. Although the town is behind compared to last year, that could change as property taxes come in, he said.
While it is only halfway through the fiscal year, Sewell was cautiously optimistic about the fund.
“It’s still too early to predict prudently, but right now the positive indicators outweigh the negative,” he said.
In the water and sewer fund, revenues exceed expenses by $129,000. Although revenues in both areas are ahead of pace, the expenditures have been higher than budgeted, in part because of the county sewer bill, Sewell said.
Sewell told the council that it will need to look at its employee salaries, particularly police salaries, to make sure the town can attract and retain employees.
While the town spent $23,400 instead of the $23,000 it had budgeted for a new lift, Sewell said that the price difference was worth the increase in quality compared to lifts at or under $23,000. Sewell also said that he expects the lift to pay for itself, as the town can now use its own instead of renting one for tasks like hanging Christmas decorations and can hire it out to other towns.
Sewell said that the town will order a large automated trash truck this week. The truck is expected to help lower workers’ compensation claims and require less time and manpower for trash pickup, increasing the resources that can be given to other areas.
Sewell said money the town had cautiously budgeted for employee Christmas bonuses was still available. The council voted unanimously to approve the bonuses in time for Christmas.
NEW BUILDING
Sewell said that the town still does not have the necessary funds to build a new fire department, police department and town hall, but said the council needs to continue considering funding options.
While Wadesboro needs a new town hall, the police and fire departments are in a particularly “desperate” situation, Sewell said.
The town manager recommended that the council consider its funding options during the council’s retreat next month. He suggested that the council consider applying for a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan while interest rates are low since he anticipates they will eventually climb.
While building costs are high and will likely only grow, Sewell said the town may be able to find something lower than the current estimate.
OTHER MATTERS
During time reserved for residents’ comments, John Liles approached the council to ask for speed bumps on Center Street, as there are several pedestrians on his street and visiting the park and speeding is an issue on his road.
The issue was not voted on immediately, but Thacker said the council would consider the request.
Town utilities director Hugh James said the construction of East Wade Bridge has been slowed by rain, but will likely be finished in January if there is dry weather.
James also said electricians will install push-button caution lights at the new crosswalk and median on U.S. 74 and are scheduled to begin on Friday. Sewell said that the town is working to have local landscapers add river rock and junipers to beautify the median.
The council also heard its audit report from Deneal Bennett, who said there have been several positive changes compared to previous years.
The next council meeting is planned for 5 p.m. Jan 4 at Wadesboro Town Hall.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.
