Council - Regular Meeting

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]

[music]

Hey, we we explained the budget process and uh really what our our first step and a key step is identifying what our strategic priorities and expenditures are. Um then we look at what other outside revenue uh sources in regards to sales tax and uh fees and permit fees and um you know, interest earned on investments, etc. And then uh the last thing is we evaluate what amount of money is necessary to to fill that gap. So, [clears throat]

what the impact of the decision from Pender County is again is is the calculation of that revenue neutral um tax rate and and what that means to our residents um in regards to filling that gap. So, unfortunately at this at this point uh we don't we have not been able to to recalculate a revenue neutral tax rate. There's some still some questions up in the air with Pender County um in their process and what that final decision may be. Um you know, there's a couple of of points in in the motion that was um approved by the county that um you know, we might still have some questions on and would anticipate some answers from from the county. So, um I'll just say that that you know, that the town's uh house is in order. So, um it it will not require us to go back to the drawing board and and all uh redetermine what our expenditure needs are going to be. Um but the the true impact that we're going to see is is what is that tax rate going to be um in order to fill that gap. And that that gap should not necessarily change uh drastically from what was presented last night. Um it's just going to be what the overall tax rate is going to be set at in order to fill that gap and and continue to provide the services back to the residents of Surf City. So, I hope that that I explained that. Um but I we just don't want to put out a a draft budget and a budget message when the numbers are subject to change. Um that's not necessarily fair for our residents to um to to dive into that. But again, if there's interest in excuse [clears throat] me, in the budget um and expenditures, uh those questions can still be asked. Um you know, please reach out to staff. We're happy to to uh answer those questions. Uh where does the money go and and what is it it

paying for, etc. Um because those those should remain uh generally uh constant in this process. So, uh that being said, that's that's really all I have in in explanation. I think that um the board just wanted to rescind the uh the action in which they took last night so that that information could all be published. Uh again, nothing that we can necessarily do at this point. Nothing has really changed uh per se except for that revenue neutral um tax rate and and what that all looks like. So, um we wish we could have predicted this, but there's absolutely no way we could have predicted this. So. Do I have a motion to rescind? Uh I don't need the motion. You might need the motion, Madam Mayor. But yeah, that that would That's correct. Yes. Do [clears throat and cough] I have a motion to rescind? Do I have a motion to rescind as presented? Yes, Mayor. I'll make a motion to rescind rescind [clears throat] as pre presented. Thank you.

[laughter] I have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. have a quick discussion? I just want to ask a clarifying question. Um will we be able to today establish the budget review calendar? Because we have the 30-day requirement. So, that we can continue doing the at least the the expenditure side. Uh obviously leaving the the the revenue or the the tax rate decision until we have clarity around the

level. Again, [clears throat] we got to go back through through our calendar between now and June 30, determine these appropriate dates. You know, we purposely try and get a budget adopted early you know, throughout the process. So we do we have time to to do all this stuff. Again, we we've been told that April 20th the county would know. We meet again before April 20th. So I'm a little hesitant to say we will know anything by April April 16th. Moving forward, but ultimately um public hearing has to be held on the budget. That was going to be scheduled for May understanding that we would be able to publish this budget and the budget message uh the 30 days in advance or close to that 30 days.

So everything's just going to be pushed back and and yes, we will readjust that calendar and and get that published back out. So I just don't have the dates today right now for that. Thank you. At some point in time we'll be able to communicate a revised Oh yeah, yeah. schedule so that Certainly by the end of the week. Yeah, and certainly by the end of the week that we can cuz there's been graphics have been put out on social media that outline what the budget calendar is etc. So all that stuff will be reconciled based on the decisions that were made and we will be republish everything. Thank you. You're welcome. So there was a motion and a second. And all in favor say I. I. All opposed same sign. Motion carries. Do I have a motion to adjourn? I'll make a motion to adjourn mayor. Do I have a second?

I'll second. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed same sign. We are adjourned.

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]