Monday's Internet Edition, October 06, 2008.
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The budget maintains the town’s tax rate of 17.7 cents per $100 valuation of property. Projected revenues and expenditures are balanced at $3,429,677.
Council also voted unanimously to create two capital reserve funds for major projects. A fund for the construction of a new municipal building and another for construction of sidewalks were opened with $150,000 each.
The funds function as savings accounts and allow council to earmark a specific amount of money each year for the designated projects.
The council in June 2005 established capital reserve funds for the Great Wagon Road right-of-way and the state-mandated stormwater management plan. For Fiscal Year 2006-07, a total of $80,000 was appropriated to the stormwater fund and a total of $150,000 was appropriated to the Great Wagon Road fund.
“I think we have set a pattern in being conservative with the taxpayers’ money,” stated Mayor Pro Tem Mike Horn. “In this budget we have provided for our neighborhoods, for public safety and for our capital reserve funds. We did all of this for $250,000 less than last year’s budget.”
No one spoke either for or against the budget during the public hearing.
Contracts Approved
The council approved several contracts during the meeting.
Zeke Mock was contracted to maintain the flower beds and landscaping at various town facilities. The scope of work includes maintaining shrubs, flowering plants and other vegetation to a standard acceptable by the town; providing pest, weed and disease control; and performing periodic mulching of designated mulched areas.
The one-year contract is in the fixed amount of $7,200.
Contracts to patch three streets were awarded to Hill’s Paving. Ridgegate Drive will be repaired for $21,164, Summerglen Drive for $19,578, and Saddlebrook Drive for $17,218.
Council voted to renew its existing contract with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department for the town’s four deputies. The contract costs $295,703.
A one-year contract renewal with Land-Tek for grounds maintenance throughout the town was removed from the agenda.
Board and Committee Expiration Dates Changed
Council voted unanimously to change the term expiration date for the following town boards and committees: Willow Run Municipal Service District; Parks, Recreation and Cultural Development Board; Beautification Committee; Public Safety Advisory Committee; Recycling Committee; Sister City Committee.
Currently, members are appointed in December and their terms run from January 1 to December 31. However, this becomes problematic when council elections are held in November and newly-elected officials must then make appointments in December.
Council changed the term expiration date to March 31 to allow new officials an opportunity to review applications at length. The new terms will now begin on April 1 and expire on March 31. All board and committee terms currently in effect and due to expire in December will be extended to March 31.
The same change to the terms of Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment members will be voted on at the July 13 meeting.
Other Business
In other business, council unanimously approved a budget amendment of $1,800 to repair the flagpole and replace the North Carolina flag on Lucy Lane, to repair a flagpole at the Veterans’ Monument, and to repair the air conditioning unit at the G. Galloway Reynolds Community Center.
Former mayor Bob Stebbins was appointed to the Triad ABC Board. He replaces Vonda Blackburn, who has served the maximum six years (two three-year terms).
A resolution dissolving the Lewisville Sponsorship Policy & Rules Review Committee passed by a 6-1 vote. Councilman Larry Sowers was opposed.
This committee was established to review sponsorship policies as they applied to town-sponsored and non-town-sponsored events and was later asked to review the operational policies of the town’s parks and recreation facilities and programs. The committee made recommendations to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Development Board, and that board in turn presented the final draft of rules and applications to council.
Council approved the document at its May meeting and determined that the committee had completed its charge.
Finally, council approved a change to the rules for use of Lewisville’s rental facilities.
Any non-profit group renting or using town facilities must now have an alternate contact/responsible party listed on the application form. If the person signing the application cannot be in attendance throughout the event, then an authorized designee over 21 years of age must be listed on the application and must be in attendance throughout the event.