News Flash

During the Tuesday, May 9, Council meeting, Town Manager Mike McLaurin presented the recommended budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024. The budget is a statement of the Town’s priorities and a financial plan on how to fund those priorities. In 2021, the Town Council adopted nine priorities: Roads and Infrastructure, Public Safety, Planning and Growth Management, Creating a Downtown, High-quality Team, Partnerships, Parks and Community Amenities, Quality Basic Services, and Operational Needs. Through the funding of numerous projects and services, the recommended FY 2023-2024 budget lays the foundation for meeting the Town's priorities and the needs of our community. 

FY23-24 Recommended Budget Highlights

Funds

• The General Fund is balanced at $21,865,202 using the existing tax rate of 18.5 cents. 
• The Powell Bill fund is $2,055,000 and the Stormwater fund is $2,102,566.
• The Capital Reserve/Debt Service is $2,941,469. 

Personnel Adjustments

• Three vacant positions are not being funded.  
• The Town is relocating the Economic Development function to the Planning Department. 
• A Parks Maintenance Technician position will be effective July 1, 2023. 
• Recreation Specialist and Customer Service positions will be effective January 1, 2024.
• Moving funding of the IT Administrator position from the Administration budget to Communications & IT. 
• Reclassification of the Tax Collector position to Assistant Finance Director/Tax Collector. 

Public Safety (Union County Sheriff's Office Contract)

• One deputy position will be added to the UCSO contract effective July 1, 2023. 
•  The Town will continue funding the two grant traffic deputy positions effective October 1, 2023. 

Additional Highlights

• Continues to fund existing Capital Improvement Projects, as well as the implementation of the findings from the watershed management study. 
• Continues funding the $3.15 million for road maintenance (funded by Powell Bill and state funds). 
• Funds an ADA Transition Plan over two years. 
• Funds Town Hall facility maintenance and security enhancement projects.
• Funds an enhanced Christmas light display at Chestnut Square Park and the Town Hall. 
• Continues work on $35 million of Capital Projects, including transportation and parks and recreation projects.