CLEVELAND – The Board of Commissioners voted to spend $23,000 for a new police car and retired a 1997 model at Monday’s meeting.
“Why would we ever need four?” asked Mayor Jim Brown in a discussion of the town’s police cars. Brown suggested purchasing a new car and using the equipment from an old car to furnish it.
But Mayor Pro Tem Danny Gabriel said he thought that if each officer had his own car, he would take better care of it and the cars would last longer. Cleveland has four full-time officers, including the chief, and four part-time officers.
Newly hired Police Chief Ray Meyer also favored keeping four cars.Meyer suggested that the new vehicle be an unmarked car to be used for undercover work. But Brown said he felt the town would get more protection out of the visibility of a marked police car.
Commissioners eventually voted to surplus the 1997 Crown Victoria and buy a new vehicle, using the equipment from the 1997 car to furnish the new one.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved the 2001-2002 budget, keeping the town’s property tax and utility rates at their current level. Commissioners also approved employee raises and benefits for the fiscal year.
Cleveland’s current tax rate is 19 cents per $100, the lowest in Rowan County. The owner of a $75,000 home pays $142.50 in taxes under current rates. A $120,000 household pays the town $228 in taxes.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the board held a public hearing to discuss the ordinances on zoning for telecommunication facilities and adult businesses.
The telecommunication ordinance provides guidelines for the siting of wireless telecommunications facilities within the town limits.
The adult business ordinance outlines regulations for such businesses, including zoning, spacing and the conditions of attaining a permit for such an establishment.
In other business, commissioners:
- Asked town attorney John Hudson to talk with the architects and engineers working on the park project to determine where responsibilities lie. The park has been closed and under renovation since June 2000, and some work remains unfinished.
- Approved keeping the $5 garbage service rate the same.
- Approved Fredrick Clay Summers as new water/sewer supervisor. Commissioners approved his salary at $35,000. Summers starts Monday.
- Selected Preston Davis, 702 E. Main St., as the winner of the recycling plan drawing. Commissioners had hoped the monthly drawing would generate more interest for residents to participate in the recycling program, but Town Clerk Cathy Payne said she has not seen much change.
Brown said that the board may look into a penalty for people who don’t participate.
Board members also decided to hold an open house for the new police chief and water/sewer supervisor June 24 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Cleveland First Baptist Church.
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