Spending plan calls for increases in water, sewer and solid waste fees; property tax rate unchanged
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Mooresville Town Manager Tracey Jerome presented the proposed town budget for 2024-2025 during Monday’s board meeting.
The proposed spending plan maintains the current property tax rate of 48.36 cents per $100 valuation. It also includes a 4 percent increase in water rates and a 6 percent hike in sewer rates, along with a $24 per year increase in solid waste fees.
Total spending, which includes the General Fund, is projected to increase to $171.44 million, a 12.2 percent increase over the current year’s original budget ($152.79 million).
Revenues from property taxes are projected to increase to more than $62 million and sales tax revenues are estimated at $20.25 million. Those are the two primary revenue streams for the General Fund ($90.56 million).
The proposed budget reflects the Town Board of Commissioners’ stated priority of investing in current employees. It does this in the form of a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for all town employees, merit raises of up to 5 percent and a market adjustment. The town is also absorbing a major increase in health insurance premium costs for all employees, estimated at $2,000 per employee.
“This is a very powerful message that goes to our workforce and tells them how valuable they are,” Jerome said in her presentation on Monday evening.
The budget also includes $2.7 million to fund 27 new positions, including nine for the Police Department, and three each for Park Services and Traffic Transportation. Some $225,000 of that total is for four new telecommunicators for Emergency Communications as that department begins dispatching for Mooresville Fire-Rescue.
The spending plan also sets aside $20.65 million for cultural and recreation capital projects, including greenway projects, park improvements, Liberty Village, the 24/7 flex library and more.
Funding for public safety capital projects includes nearly $5.2 million for Fire Station 6, $1.45 million for Fire Station 7 and $231,000 for a memorial for fallen officers.
There’s also another $44 million earmarked for utility and stormwater projects.
On the revenue side, budget writers anticipate the town will receive $2.6 million in revenue from building permits and inspections in its first full year of operations.
“You don’t have to go to Statesville for this,” Jerome said. “It’s getting done faster, more efficiently and better right here in Mooresville.”
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for June 3.
LEARN MORE
Read the proposed 2024-2025 town budget HERE.
Other Business
In other business, commissioners approved the following agenda items without discussion during Monday’s meeting:
♦ A request from the Engineering Services Department to adopt a Resolution approving Supplemental Amendment #2 to the A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc. contract in an amount not to exceed $85,199.20 for additional construction inspection work on Highway 115/Faith Road Intersection Improvements Project C5529. The contract amount will increase from $399,284.21 to $484,483.41.
♦ A request from the Engineering Services Department to adopt a Resolution approving Change Order #5 for Landdesign, Inc. contract in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 for additional design work on Dye Creek Greenway NCDOT #EB-5787. The contract amount will increase from $401,950.00 to $411,950
♦ Approved a request from the Finance Department to approve an ordinance to amend the budget to appropriate reserve in the amount of $410,000 from the General Capital Reserve Fund to establish the Information Technology Capital Project. This project will include Webex Cloud Migration, Board Room AV Enhancements and Network Resiliency upgrades.
♦ Approved request from the Finance Department to approve an ordinance to close out five project ordinances and use the remaining balances to transfer funds in the amount of $10,000 to the Dye Creek Greenway Capital Project to cover increased design expenses, transfer $253,000 to the NC HWY 115/Faith Road Capital Project to replace TAC Stafford revenues, and transfer the remaining $59,911 to Other Obligations for capital projects.
♦ Approved a request from the Planning & Community Development Department to approve a Resolution awarding the planning contract for the Mooresville Mobility Plan to RS&H for an amount not to exceed $350,000 and approve the corresponding budget amendments. This scope of this contract is to identify critical connectivity and mobility needs for all modes of travel in Town and to develop strategies and recommendations to address them.
♦ Approved a request from the Police Department to adopt a Resolution to accept a Governor’s Highway Safety Program Traffic Unit Expansion – Year 3 grant. There is a 50% match required by the Town. Grant to support the third year of a three year project to expand the MPD traffic unit by two additional traffic officers dedicated to highway safety activities by providing funds to assist in continuing two officers’ salaries, fringe benefits, and some specified travel and training.
♦ Approved a request from the Public Services Department to adopt a resolution approving the Municipal Operations – Traffic Control Devices Traffic Signals Agreement Schedule C (Agreement ID #12886) between the Town of Mooresville and North Carolina Department of Transportation.
♦ Approved a request from the Traffic & Transportation Department to adopt a resolution to convert the existing two-way stop-controlled intersection of Water Oak Drive and Morehouse Avenue to an all-way stop-controlled intersection. This will require adding two stop signs on Water Oak Drive, one for each intersection approach. The Police Department agrees with this installation.
♦ Approved a request from the Traffic & Transportation Department to adopt a resolution to convert the existing two-way stop-controlled intersection of White Oaks Road and Grace Meadow Drive to an all-way stop-controlled intersection. This will require adding two stop signs on Grace Meadow Drive, one for each intersection approach. The Police Department agrees with this installation.