Franklinton Mayor Darwin Sharp and the Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday, October 13.
Mayor Sharp reminded the audience that the noise of the audience lately is making it difficult for staff to take accurate notes as well as resulting in poor video quality of the meetings. He reminded those present that there are guidelines for meetings and urges them to consider these.
The minutes from the September 22 Regular Meeting were then approved. Before a public hearing was opened to the amended budget for 2025-2026, the mayor read into the record a letter that each alderman received. It stated that the budget was reached by departments based on anticipated revenue and expenditures for the year 2025-2026.
General funds revenue, ad valorem tax, sales tax revenue, franchise fees, occupational licenses, and sanitation user fees will provide 81 percent of the anticipated budget and revenue of $5,184,480.00 and in expenditures for the administrative department, approximately 3 percent was added for liability insurance.
For police, approximately 3 percent was added for liability insurance.
The fire department's capital purchases include a vehicle at $55,307, air packs for $37,623, and radios for $17,293. A pay increase for one individual is included, which includes wages and overtime. An increase in liability insurance is included while no grant expenses are budgeted as no grant income is expected.
In highways and streets, a slight increase is included for liability insurance.
In sanitation, health and welfare expenses are not expected to change significantly.
An increase in airport construction and progress is expected to increase and is included with expectations of a grant.
In enterprise; gas; water and sewer; and water sales, revenue is expected to remain steady.
In water expenditures there is an expected slight increase in liability insurance and an increase of $35,000 for meters is also included to account for expected grant revenue expenditures. No transfers for repairs are noted.
Gas revenues are expected to remain constant. In gas expenditures a small amount for liability insurance is included.
A capital expenditure of $40,000 is noted for major repairs and no transfers to the general fund.
Sewer revenues are expected to remain constant. Sewer expenditures note a slight increase in liability insurance and capital expenditure of $70,000 is included for major repairs.
Police ad valorem revenue is expected to remain constant as are expenditures with an increase for schools, training, and uniform expenses.
In streets and drainage ad valorem revenues are expected to remain constant with $60,000 included for drainage projects. Sales tax, economic development and recreation are expected to show an increase in revenue with receipt of $420,000 in grants for parks. Expenses are expected at $520,000 for the park.
The Mayor concluded by assuring the board that "it doesn't get much better than that." He added that there was nothing else to cut to make this budget work.
Dr. Vincent Johnson asked where the budget numbers originated from and how the Mayor reached the figures. Alderwoman Patrice Crain explained that when working on the new budget the mayor and council members look at previous budgets to see if an increase is possible or a decrease is necessary. Crain also gave several specific examples of amended budgets.
Alderman Seth Descant added that the adopted budget for 2025-26 ended with a deficit of $930,000 and the proposed amended budget cuts that to a deficit of $53,000.
When questions persisted about the numbers, Town Clerk Ellen Waskom went over the larger numbers and assured the Board that the budget is always amended in October as financial situations change. The Board then voted to adopt the amended budget for 2025-2026.
A public hearing was then held on the proposed budget for 2026-2027 with no participants.
Alderman Reed suggested having department heads wait to spend money from their account until time has passed to avoid depleting a budget with one purchase. He believes this will help "keep up" with the budget better. Alderwoman Crain agreed that this will help departments from going over their budgets. The Board will vote to adopt the proposed budget for 2026-2027.
The Board then voted to introduce an ordinance updating the planning and zoning ordinance and map and conduct a public hearing in one month.
D'Ann Davis from Economic Development noted that the commercial/industrial corridor that was discussed is not on the current map and the properties are still listed for single family homes.
The Board also voted to use Jurisdeed for the processing of property taxes for the coming year on the recommendation of the Tax Clerk.
Candidate Luke Lancaster addressed the Mayor and the Board about the upcoming election for judge, 22nd Judicial District Court, Division H.
Reminders were issued about the upcoming fair and office closures. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27.
