BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Troutman Town Council approved its 2023-2024 fiscal year town budget 4-0 on Thursday night. The budget features a $2.465 million total increase from this year, rising from $6,630,505 to $9,095,815.
The town council reduced its property tax rate from 52 to 50 cents per $100 in property valuation. However, as a result of the county’s recent property revaluation, which saw dramatic rises in property values, the town will add $2.372 million in ad valorem tax collections.
The town’s revenue-neutral tax rate would have been 37 cents per $100 in property valuation.
A significant chunk of the new revenue ($1,275,000) is being transferred to the new town hall fund, along with $60,000 to create new pocket parks around town, and $125,000 for contingencies.
The two largest departmental increases are in the police and planning departments, which is associated with the growth Troutman is experiencing.
The police department’s budget is increasing nearly $725,000, with a $426,000 increase in salaries for new officers, along with increased benefit costs and a new K-9 with associated training and care costs ($57,400). The planning department budget will also increase by $229,000 to meet demands.
Prior to council’s approval passage, Town Manager Ron Wyatt read a statement about the “stressful” budget process for the town as it analyzed each department’s spending and future needs and examined “wish lists” from community members, all with the aim to improve the quality of life for all.
Quoting former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, Wyatt said the budget is more than “‘a collection of numbers but an expression of our values and aspirations.’ I am pleased to work with such an incredible group of employees that understand the small-town way of life.”
“They also understand we are a growing town. They wear multiple hats doing more than their assigned job duties to ensure Troutman is the best place to live, work, and play.”
Wyatt said the 2023-2024 budget had no “hidden items.”’
“The main reason is $1,275,000 being saved for a future town hall and $125,000 appropriated for a new town hall plan,” he said. “This accounts for half of the increase in the General Fund.”
Wyatt said the Utility Fund Budget is also increasing by approximately 53 percent, mainly due to a budgeted increase in additional sewer capacity to meet anticipated needs and an increase in water rates last year.
“With the town’s growth, the volume of water and sewer expenditures increases, along with the increased cost of supplies and equipment needed to maintain the Water and Sewer Department,” Wyatt said. “This budget will leave current water and sewer rates for citizens intact this year.”
To serve the growing town, Wyatt said the addition of police, administrative, and Parks and Recreation personnel was necessary. A revenue-generating passport office is also being added, with the office opening in the next few months near the post office.
In terms of infrastructure, the Utilities Department is adding and upgrading equipment to cope with a growing system and its demands.
Money for road and town parking lot repairs, landscaping, and additional streetscape improvements is also budgeted, as well as funds for continuing the ESC Park master plan, including adding a concession stand and bathrooms at the baseball fields and adding more picnic shelters.
Wyatt said the town is also adding properties to accommodate growing personnel until a new town hall is constructed and also to help “revitalize the downtown area and be prepared for future growth there,” adhering to the town’s Strategic Master Plan, adopted in 2017.
Mayor Pro Tem Paul Henkel said this is a “good, sound budget that meets the needs of a growing town while operating in an efficient way.” He commended Wyatt’s management.
“We’ve been kicking the can down the road on capital needs. It must be addressed now, so we are saving and planning ahead for a new town hall.”
RECOGNITIONS AND REPORTS
Employee of the Month
Police Chief Josh Watson presented a certificate to Officer Logan Ruocco as Town of Troutman Employee of the Month. Watson said that Ruocco went “above and beyond” in his daily duties, and his proactive policing has resulted in the recovery of stolen cars, firearms, and property as well as the apprehension of wanted individuals.
Ruocco also attends community events on his days off to help build relationships with community members.
Troutman Middle Baseball
The council also recognized the Troutman Middle School baseball team, coached by Chad Milliron, for winning the 2023 I-SS Middle School Tournament.
Wyatt said he was proud of Milliron and his assistant coaches Jimmy Donaldson, Dylan Donaldson, Jimmy Mattingly, and Kevin McDowell for taking these young men and teaching them to play with dignity and character to a championship level in just a few years after the sport started being offered at the middle school level.
The team finished the season with an 11-1-1 record.
“At Troutman, we don’t lose — we learn. These guys have no quit in them. I coach them hard because I want what’s best for them,” Milliron said.
LIBRARY REPORTS
Tamra Hicks, branch manager of the J. Hoyt Hayes Memorial Troutman Library, reported a busy spring with 10,000 people visiting the library in the past two months.
Hicks also invited folks of all ages to the 1960s themed “All Together Now” summer reading program. The program kickoff is at the library on Monday, June 12, at 1 p.m. with a free concert by Big Bang Boom, featuring Chuck Folds, Steve Willard and Eddie Walker.
This rocking three-piece pop band, powered by these dynamic dads, play parent-friendly, educational children’s music.
In addition to arts and crafts, STEM, history, and reading activities, an escape room, story times, and a bluegrass music performance, the library will have programs on beekeeping and gardening skills, an Allison’s Woods Birds of Prey program, and visits from Iredell County Animal Services and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Department as part of the summer reading program.
On July 31, from 9 a.m. to noon, the library will host Big Rig Day at the Iredell County Recreation Center, just north of the fairgrounds, featuring large rigs from various city and county departments for children to explore.
Visit https://iredell.lib.nc.us/194/Troutman-Branch-Library for a list of all the many activities for toddlers through adults throughout the summer.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council also:
♦ Approved an audit contract with Thompson, Price, Scott & Adams for FY 2024.
♦ Approved the text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to require Planning Board Review of development agreements.
♦ Appointed Natasha Sells as an ETJ Alternate to the Town of Troutman Planning and Zoning Board for a term of three years (term expires 6/16/23) and sent the recommendation on to the County Commissioners for final approval..
♦ Delayed a decision on accepting a fee in lieu of sidewalk on Georgie Street for the Brookeside Development (requested by D.R. Horton), pending receipt of additional information.
♦ Approved the 155 Julian Place building elevation for Curtis Dental and for the165 Julian Place building elevation for O’Reilly Auto Parts.
♦ Approved fiscal year 2022-2023 year-end budget amendments.
♦ Approved an amendment to the Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees.
♦ Approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resolutions and policies.
♦ Approved 2022 Water and Wastewater Improvement Projects through American Rescue Plan (ARP) Grant Funding for the 2022 Wastewater Capacity Improvements Project and for the 2022 Water System Asset Inventory And Assessment (AIA) Study
♦ Approved the new “Town of Troutman Annexation Policy” and an associated amendment to the “Town of Troutman Water and Sewer Service Policy.”