Tag Archive for: #hendersoncitycouncil

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Henderson City Council Adopts FY 2018-19 Budget

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Without further ado, the Henderson City Council adopted the proposed FY 2018-19 budget at their Monday, June 11, 2018, meeting.

After hearing a brief summary of the overall budget from City Manager Frank Frazier, who thanked council members for the meetings and work sessions that were held to get to that point in the budget process, the approximately $44 million budget was approved.

Frazier said he felt encouraged about the budget thanks, in part, to an increase in the amount of sales tax collected this past fiscal year. “We were slightly ahead of projections,” Frazier reported. “Whereas some projections by different agencies increased that [collection rate] to 4%, we used a more conservative approach at 2%.”

Frazier also reported an increase in the personal/real property tax collection rate as performed by the Vance County Tax Office. “This collection helped increase our revenue projections for the upcoming year and staff worked hard over the last several years in becoming a safer workforce and obtaining a better worker’s comp rate,” said Frazier.

The increase in tax collection has also helped to offset the less than 1% lower personal property value from the previous fiscal year.

Budgeted funds for the final phase in a five-year pay class study allows for a 5% pay increase for City employees effective August 9, 2018. According to Frazier, “This helps us to reduce our turnover rate and also helps us compete with our neighboring jurisdictions.”

As previously reported to WIZS by Henderson City Councilman Garry Daeke, the turnover rate for City of Henderson employees has dropped from 20% to 5% since the implementation of the five-year study.

This year’s budget was approved with no tax rate increase, keeping the rate steady at approximately 71 cents per $100 of property value. Sanitary sewer and sanitation rates also remain unchanged.

A 5% water rate increase was approved, which will allow for the completion of several infrastructure projects with streets, water and sewer as well as equipment purchases.

As Frazier stated in previous budget documentation “Whereas not all needs are met, as in most budgets, I believe this budget represents further positive steps in areas not funded previously, which will help the City continue to grow and reach its full potential again.”

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Remainder of Henderson City Council Budget Sessions Canceled

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

During the Public Meeting Budget Work Session on Monday, May 21, the Henderson City Council concluded its budget deliberations; therefore, the remainder of the budget work sessions have been canceled.

The City Council will formally approve the budget during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 11, 2018.

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Henderson City Council has Full Agenda for May 14 Meeting

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-Public Notice, courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

The Henderson City Council is scheduled to hold their regular meeting on Monday, May 14, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536

Agenda items include:

  • Recognizing retiree Wanda Ball.
  • Consideration of holding a public hearing on the question of annexation for the Salvation Army.
  • Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-07, 1) Extending the Corporate Limits of the City of Henderson, North Carolina; 2) Assignment of Newly Annexed Areas Ward 2, and 3) Directing the City Attorney to Record Annexation with Vance County Board of Elections, Vance County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Secretary of State.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-05-A, Approving a Supplemental Agreement for Funding with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the Beckford Drive (SR 1165) Widening Project with High Impact Funds in the Amount of $400,000.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-27, Reimbursement of Special Use Permit Fees for Greenhouse Structures.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-24, Awarding a Contract to North State Water and Sewer Inc. in the Amount of $159,300 for the ROBCO Manufacturing Water and Sewer Line Extension Project.
  •  Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-17, FY18 BA #18, Transferring Funds from General Fund Non-Departmental to Public Buildings and Grounds Budget for the Ash Tree Treatment Program.
  •  Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-28, Approving Execution of a Hydraulic Water Modeling Contract with Hazen and Sawyer in the Amount of $66,900; 2) Resolution 18-31, Approving a Contract with Stantec to Develop a Financial Planning and Member Rate Analysis; 3) Ordinance 18-18, FY18 BA #19, Transferring Funds From KLRW Reserves to Contracted Services and 4) Ordinance 18-22, FY18, BA #22 for the Hazen & Sawyer Contract.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-26, Accepting a Grant/Loan from DWSRF for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System Plant Improvement Project in a total amount of $15,000,000.
  • Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-34, Awarding Change Order #1 for the Newton Dairy Road, Birch and Bobbitt Project; and 2) Approval of Budget Ordinance 18-20, FY18 BA #20, Amending the Budget for the CDBG Infrastructure Project #14-I-2658.
  • Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-33, Approve Change Order #2 to Replace Water Services to HG Reynolds for the Newton Dairy Road, Birch & Bobbitt Project; and 2) Ordinance 18-21, FY18 BA #21, Amending the Budget for the CDBG Infrastructure Project 14-I-2658 (Newton Dairy Road/Birch and Bobbitt Street Sewer Extension Project.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-32, Authorizing the Demolition of 314 Hillside Alley.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-35, Authorizing the Application for a State Farm Community Grant by the Henderson Fire Department in the Amount of $25,000.
  • Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-16, Establishing a No Parking Zone on Zeb Robinson Road.
  • Tax Releases and Refunds from Vance County for the Month of March 2018.
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Pavilion, Water and Redevelopment on City’s Plate

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Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and chairman of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, was recently on WIZS’ Town Talk call-in show to discuss updates concerning the City of Henderson.

Breckenridge Pavilion

The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department in downtown Henderson, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.

According to Daeke, the landscaping plan for the sited area is expected to be completed and submitted to the City for review within a week. Landscaping work will include, among other tasks, grading, debris removal and parking lot repair.

Groundbreaking is expected to begin on the pavilion this fall, with the City already making plans for future operating procedures. “The City Council has had discussions with the Embassy Foundation about overseeing the booking of events for the pavilion,” Daeke said. “They have been receptive to that.”

Kerr Lake Regional Water System

The Kerr Lake Regional Water System is currently in a two-phase expansion process aimed at increasing the system’s access to the lake’s water supply.

Daeke explained that the first phase of the plan is to increase supply by two million gallons of water. The second phase will bring even greater expansion with up to 20 million gallons of water.

“We can draw from the lake and would pay a fee to have access to the water,” said Daeke. “This is going to give us an increased supply for our partners in Henderson, Oxford and Warren County.”

While the City currently has funding earmarked for the first phase of the project, a new $15 million loan may help the second phase come to fruition.

The proposal to accept the $15 million loan will be discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting.

“We will be able to pull water from Kerr Lake, treat it and send out some of the best water in NC to our customers,” Daeke said.

City Redevelopment Plan

A redevelopment plan to include approximately a quarter of the City, from I-85/Hwy 39 into the downtown area has been in the discussion phase for some time.

“This is the main area for people coming off the interstate and driving into the downtown area and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center,” said Daeke. “We are trying to do some incredible change in terms of bringing business and industry in, rebuilding houses and revitalizing neighborhoods.”

According to Daeke, the Council hopes to have the redevelopment plan finalized within a year.

“I think this type of planning is what we have to do to help make changes in our whole community – to make it healthier and to draw investment for economic development.”

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Henderson City Council Committee Meetings 4-24-18

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— submitted by Esther McCrackin, City Clerk

Henderson City Council Committee Meetings

The Henderson City Council’s Human Resources Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, to discuss issues relating to health insurance and other benefits. This meeting will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue.

The Henderson City Council’s Intergovernmental Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, to discuss changes relating to the Rec Players. This meeting will take place at 4:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The public is welcome.

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Public Works Committee Meeting 4-3-18

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— submitted by Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk

The Henderson City Council’s Public Works Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, to discuss a possible stormwater ordinance and fee initiative, as well as budget discussions related to Public Works. This meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue.

The public is welcome.

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March 19, 2018 is Next Henderson City Council Meeting Date

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The Henderson City Council meeting previously scheduled for this evening, March 12, 2018 was postponed until Monday, March 19, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. because of inclement weather.

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Henderson City Council Boards and Commissions Meeting Feb 1, 2018

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In a press release, Esther McCrackin, City Clerk – City of Henderson, NC, informed local media:

The Boards and Commissions Committee of the Henderson City Council will meet on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for various boards, committees and commissions. The public is welcome to attend.

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Henderson City Council Meeting 1-8-18

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Update: 9 p.m.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington told WIZS News that the resolutions covered below “both passed unanimously.”  Furthermore, he said, “The Department of Transportation came up with another $100,000 on the project.”  He said he received the call today.

These two resolutions considered at Monday night’s meeting protect the historical aspects of the old First National Bank Building downtown and clear the way for a Beckford Drive widening project.

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In the agenda packet for the Henderson City Council meeting for 1-8-18, among other items, is consideration of a resolution for a First National Bank Building preservation easement downtown and the consideration of a resolution to amend the budget for a Beckford Drive widening project.

Several potential buyers had expressed an interest in purchasing the old First National Bank Building, but the offers were low.

City Manager Frank Frazier said, “Our land planning committee met and asked the staff to draw up some covenants to protect the integrity of that building.  We wanted to make sure whatever was done, particularly with the outside of the building, to make sure that’s kept in tact and so forth.”

The City would love to see it restored and in private hands but also wants some guidelines to protect the historical nature of the building.

A City Council Action Form, which is also part of the agenda packet, said, “The City-owned First National Bank building is one of the most important structures in the City’s historical downtown district, which was established in 1987.  Staff recommends that the building’s unique character be protected through restrictions placed in any deed used to transfer ownership.”

As to the matter of widening Beckford Drive, the portion up for consideration is from the front of the City Operations Center down to the next intersection near the Universal Commerce Center and the Social Security Administration office.

Frazier said, “It’s to widen from two lanes to three lanes to get a turn lane in there plus a sidewalk if funds are available.  We got the money years ago through Congress really with a re-authorization bill.  We’ve been working for years getting rights of way…We’re getting close to being able to go out to bid on the project.”

Alderman 2nd Ward At Large Burnette Sworn In

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Monday night at the Henderson City Council Meeting, three incumbent City Councilpersons were sworn in plus newly-elected City Councilman William Burnette.

Sara Coffey (Ward 1 At Large), Garry Daeke (Ward 3 Ward) and Fearldine Simmons (Ward 4 Ward) were sworn in as was Burnette.  Burnette won the Ward 2 At Large seat on October 10, 2017 vacated by Mike Inscoe.  Burnette was challenged only by a write-in campaign and earned over 96 percent of the 341 votes cast.

In a phone interview Monday afternoon, Burnette said, “I’m excited about it, a little anxious, a little excited, looking forward to it.”  He said, “You can do one of two things.  You can sit at home and complain or you can get involved and try to make a difference, so I’m trying to get involved and trying to make a difference.”

When asked what his platform is or his projects or his thoughts about where he wanted to head, he said, “There’s three things I think the whole City Council is on agreement on.  That’s jobs, drugs and violence.”

He said the City needs more tax base and something needs to be done about drugs and violence and that every city council member he’s talked to is in agreement with that.

Burnette said, “We’ve got to do something.”  When asked what can be done, he said, “Part of the problem is people are scared.  If they see something suspicious, they don’t want to call the police to come check it out.  We’ve got to get — the community has got to get involved.  We’ve got to take communities back.  We’ve got to get involved.  If we see something, we’ve got to call somebody.  We just can’t let it keep going.  It’s going to take the whole community.  The City Council and the County Commissioners can’t do it by themselves.  It’s going to take everybody getting involved to take care of drugs and violence in Vance County.”

He said, “In my opinion lack of jobs is why we have drugs and violence.  People don’t have anything to do.  They’re making money selling drugs on the street because they don’t have any jobs.”  Burnette said, “We need to build the tax base so people will have a job.”

He said Mako Medical was a good start, but we need industries to come to Vance County.  In terms of economic development incentives, he said if Vance County doesn’t do it, other counties will.