Town of Maggie Valley

Aldermen Budget Workshop

June 14, 2004

MINUTES

Members Present: Mayor Jo Pinter Aldermen: Linda Taylor

Phil Aldridge

Jim Higel

Mark DeMeola

Staff Present: Manager Scott Buffkin and Clerk Vickie Best

Others Present: Bob Ruhlman

Mayor Pinter called the meeting into session at 1:08 p.m. on Monday June 14, 2004 in the town hall boardroom.

Mr. Rulman reporting on behalf of the budget committee provided the following suggestions and findings.

4Chief Sutton took his raise (2%) and distributed it among his officers and receptionist.

4The newest officer, Jeff Mackey did not get a raise but will get the 5% that was part of the hire in agreement at the end of the probation period in August.

4The K-9 officer gets ½ hour extra a day for the care of the animal.

4The majority of the citizens want full time police protection.

The Budget Committee looked at all aspects of the police department and would like to look at doing a long term needs review. There are several areas that could be cut.

Alderman Taylor stated that she would like to talk with the K-9 officer to see if he is satisfied with ½ hour per day. Council increased the K-9 officers salary last year.

Mr. Ruhlman responded that the committee would have liked to have more time to research having the K-9 to see if it is cost effective. It is expensive to keep a K-9. The salaries should be more in line and the dog should be making money for the police department. The Budget Committee did not make recommendations regarding salaries.

Alderman Taylor has seen the K-9 in action and felt that it was a deterrent to the sell of drugs and the dog brings recognition to Maggie Valley. Alderman Taylor went on to inform council that the town hired professionals (MAPS Group) to do a salary study and bring salaries up to state levels.

There were concerns about Cabe Carver getting a dollar per hour raise. Alderman Taylor felt the K-9 creates hard feelings because of the recognition.

Mr. Ruhlman reminded council that the K-9 officer gets one day a month off for training, and the town pays the expense for all of the competitions the dog attends. The town has invested a lot of money in the K-9. Mr. Ruhlman added that when the dog was purchased he personally had made a donation as well.

Council then discussed other departments.

When questioned about Mr. Mehaffey’s salary, Manager Buffkin explained that it was hard to compare Mr. Mehaffey’s job to other governmental agencies because most public works directors are not the ORC of the waste water treatment plant.

Mayor Pinter felt that the employees are not getting paid to much considering what they do. Alderman Taylor concurred adding that Mr. Mehaffey has been successful in finding illegal connections to the sewer system thus collecting a lot of money that was owed to the town.

Alderman Higel responded that “we were voted in to cut the budget and we are not doing that.”

Manager Buffkin responded that more money has gone toward services and still council was able to cut $40,000 from personnel and no monies will be taken from the fund balance.

The public works department will be doing more work with less people. The insurance premiums have been decreased.

The budget is balanced every year.

There were still concerns about employee benefits and pay.

Alderman Taylor acknowledged that the moral of the employees is already strained which could cost more in the end. Mayor Pinter concurred adding that people have a fear of change. Alderman Taylor asked that Mr. Mehaffey be judged on how developers feel about him. “He makes everyone follow policy and that makes the position unpopular.”

Mayor Pinter asked that the aldermen treat the employees with respect.

Alderman Higel asked that Officer Dallas’ salary increase not be taken from another officer’s salary. “Find the additional $372 from some other area in the budget.”

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 2:12 P.M.

MOTION DIED.

Council discussed garbage collection. The citizens pay for the service so the cost is “a wash” to the town. The town could offer the service at a lower rate because the entire town is involved and a three year contract was signed. When the contract expires, council will decide if the service should remain in place.

Mayor Pinter stated that she wants to give the citizens more for their tax dollars such as tennis courts, exercise areas, and increased road maintenance.

Alderman Taylor questioned if police uniforms go out for bid.

There is only one company that carries police uniforms.

Referring to road maintenance, Alderman Taylor suggested adopting a priority list of needs similar to NCDOT.

Both Alderman Higel and Aldridge wanted more time to digest the information and review the final draft of the budget.

Alderman Taylor recognized that people complain that the police department buys new cars all the time; the fact is, it is cheaper to purchase a vehicle than to lease one. Manager Buffkin concurred, adding that the town gets more money on resale. The town sold the last vehicle to Lake Junaluska.

Council agreed that due to weather and terrain, all of the vehicles need to be four-wheel drive.

In Capital outlay- greenways line item will purchase new trashcans and benches for Soco Road.

Alderman DeMeola felt it important to have a local company that has a reputation to maintain. This could be a fantastic advertisement/display for a fence company.

The sign and the fence will be financed.

Council will conduct another workshop at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 22, 2004 after the regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting on June 15, 2004

Council then discussed recreation. The Town owed property at the Villa L’Abri Subdivision above the Maggie Valley Country Club that could offer many recreational opportunities if some improvements were made. The area has the only waterfall located within the valley. Alderman Taylor asked that the town begin seeking grant funding to use at Villa L’Abri and that the steps leading to the waterfall be repaired and attempt to get the “word out” so that people can begin to enjoy the area.

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING A PERSONNEL ISSUE.

ALDERMAN HIGEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

Council entered closed session at 3:45 p.m.

Council came out of closed session at 5:05 p.m.

Again Mayor Pinter reminded council of the meeting to be held June 22, 2004 at 1:00 p.m.

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

____________________________________________

Jo Pinter, Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________________________

Vickie Best, CMC

Town Clerk