WARSAW — The Warsaw Board of Commissioners met for its regular meeting on Monday with all members present with the exception of commissioner Tommy Jones.  Although the 2009-10 budget was scheduled on the agenda, attendance for the meeting was minimal. Mayor Winn Batten expressed that he would have liked for more citizens to have attended.

During the public forum, only one person came before the board with concerns.  Fannie Wilson, who lives on Bell Street, came to bring before the board her annoyance with the condition of her street.  Wilson shared that grass in the area had not been mowed and people we having furniture on porch and others are not keeping the community clean which was affecting her property value.  She also expressed concern with the number of dogs roaming the neighborhood with their owners not taking care of them properly.  “Dogs are running wild in our neighborhood and something needs to be done,” said the frustrated citizen.

The mayor assured Wilson that the matter would be taken under advisement and the appropriate departments would be notified to handle her problem.  No one else expressed any concerns.

A grant application request from Goshen Medical Center was approved by the commissioners that will provide funds for building restoration of the Kerr Drug building.  According to Batten, Goshen Medical will be operate in the facility that could bring six or seven jobs to the town, with three being doctors or physician’s assistants.  “It will be a good thing for us because it will provide services for our citizens within walking distance and they will not have to travel out of town or visit the emergency room for medical services,” shared Batten.  The town would serve as administrator of the grant and there would be no expense involved for Warsaw.

Town manager Jason Burrell then provided the board and the public with a hearing on the 2009-10 budget for Warsaw.  The $4,394,628.91 budget that was presented at the May meeting is balanced with a revenue neutral tax rate of $0.55 per $100 valuation. Within the budget there are a number of areas in which the town of Warsaw will be focusing in regards to its General Fund expenditure.  Burrell stated that the budget includes a continued high level of service to the citizens of Warsaw as well as promoting more efficient means to task completion in all departments and a deeper integration of technology into the town’s everyday operations.

In the town manager’s presentation he shared that the budget included  $300,431.11 from fund balance to balance the general fund budget.  Burrell also added that collections of prior year taxes is budgeted at $25,000 and is a reduction of $10,000 from last year while the tax collection rate for 2008 taxes has passed 94 percent including both current and back taxes owed to the town.  Health insurance cost for town employees increased for $433 per employee per month to $460 per employee per month which the mangers commented was much lower than many other municipalities.  Other features of the budget showed that most all department office expenses were cut as well as some travel expense from the administrative department however monies were included for job and software training opportunities.  There is a three percent salary increase included in the budget and the budget reflected that the town’s fee schedule remained the same as the current fiscal year’s budget.

Burrell stated, “A key part of the town’s efforts to improve both the recreational opportunity for the children of the community as well as the health and well being of its adults are encompassed in the town of Warsaw’s Recreation/Community Center which will be located at the old armory here in Warsaw.”  The building is currently being renovated and is expected to be operational in 120 days.

The mayor opened the floor for public discussion of the budget following the manager’s presentation and explanation of the budget with only two people coming before the commissioners.  Marvin Cole of Maple Street came with a concern related to the recreational services that would be provided through the budget and encouraged the commissioners not to forget the children of the community.  “I would like to know if there is money in the budget for games, pool tables and ping pong tables where our children can use once the armory is finished.  I feel that there are a lot of people willing to give of their time and possibly even their money to insure that our children have some place to go other than the gas station up the road.”  Cole mentioned that the commissioners had moneys for street repair and sidewalks, why could they not use that money to fund recreation?

Batten explained to the body that certain funds were designated to specific purposes and could only be used for those purposes but expressed that the town’s recreation committee was at work trying to meet the expected needs for recreation in the new center.  He further suggested that Cole contact the committee to see if additional members were needed on the committee.  The mayor also shared that he was not certain at this time what the Boys and Girls Club had planned for summer activities but felt certain that they were planning to assist in recreation for the younger citizens.  

The only other public comments came from fire chief John Blackmore, who expressed his and the department’s gratitude for all the commissioners had provided for them.

At the close of the public discussion of the budget, the board unanimously adopted the 2009-10 budget.

In the mayor’s update, he encouraged everyone to be in communication with their legislators to do everything they can not to ask for more cuts or make more cuts to the town that would affect the economic situation negatively.  Batten then reminded everyone present that hurricane season began June 1 and preparations need to be done now.  He had already been in discussions with Progress Energy.  “Everyone needs to get food and water along with provisions for at least seven days.  We need to be prepared.”  Finally the mayor discussed that he had been is contact with a company interested in utilizing the old Hardees building and hoped to have more information regarding the matter at the next meeting.

The town manager’s update recommended the continuation of health coverage with the League of Municipalities which the board adopted and also asked for the board’s approval to accept the bid from Waste Industries for solid waste collections.  The board accepted Burrell’s recommendation with only one no vote.

With no further business to come before the commissioners the mayor adjourned the meeting.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.