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CHINA GROVE — The town’s preliminary budget contains money for new Christmas lights and a first-ever town manager.
Aldermen gave tentative approval to both during a budget workshop Tuesday evening.
Aldermen haven’t discussed tax rate or other fees, waiting until all the department budgets are reviewed. They plan to have a final budget before a June 13 public hearing.
The town’s recreation and administration budgets drew the most attention Tuesday evening.
The board included $65,000 in a line item to hire a town manager but said the actual salary will be less.
Alderman Don Webb, who heads the Recreation Committee, attended his first meeting since undergoing open heart surgery several weeks ago.
Webb’s proposed budget of slightly less than $41,000 includes money for new Christmas lights for the downtown.
Jamima DeMarcus, chairwoman of the Community Appearance Commission, outlined plans to buy at least 70 new snowflake-design lights to go along the Main Street.
DeMarcus said the Board of Trade has committed several thousand dollars. In addition, she said a campaign is planned to get businesses, groups and individuals to buy a snowflake in honor or memory of someone.
The lights cost $165 each and will adorn utility poles, replacing decorations used for years.
DeMarcus said the Appearance Commission already allocated $3,000 this year as a down payment on the lights, enabling officials to order them for the 2000 holiday season.
Officials expect the lights to cost about $11,000, but they might spend more if they get more private donations. DeMarcus said the commission wants to extend lights farther south along Main Street.
DeMarcus asked for $3,900 for the commission for the coming year, citing various ongoing and new efforts at beautification.
Webb led the board through the recreation budget, explaining some changes from the current year and some overspending.
He cited increased problems, including $10,000 for a troubled ice machine at the Community Building, $7,000 over budget.
Alderman John Miller asked how much revenue the Community Building generates from rental fees, wondering aloud how far the town is going in a hole. The town has earmarked more than $12,000 for utilities and maintenance in the coming year.
The Recreation Budget also includes money to expand recreation facilities in the West Haven and Westside areas.
The biggest change in the administrative budget is the $65,000 for the town manager. The budget totals $351,000, up from $301,000 for the current year.
Alderman Butch Bivens, who heads the Administrative Committee, said the budget includes money for the town clerk and manager. He praised Town Clerk Walter Hamel. He hopes Hamel will delay his retirement to work with the new manager.
The board will meet next Tuesday at 5 p.m. to review the Public Works Department budget, including water, sewer and streets.
That budget provides the key to whether the town increases water and sewer rates or hikes property taxes.
Alderman Vernon Johnson, who heads the Public Works Committee, complained that figures generated by Mayor Joseph Sloop are misleading and inaccurate.
Last week, Sloop said the town might be forced to raise its tax rate from 40 to 75 cents in two years to pay three big bills: a $3-million water project under way, a planned $3-million sewer project and a much-debated annexation plan. Prices on annexation have ranged from $1 million to $6 million, depending on the amount of land the town takes in and the services provided.
When Johnson continued to criticize Sloop’s figures, Hamel and Bivens defended the mayor.
Both said the mayor had provided figures in black and white about what the costs may be.
“Vernon, you haven’t shown us anything,” said Hamel. “You show us how you’re going to pay it back.”
The meeting ended.
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