City approves 24-25 budget on first reading
The City of Henderson Mayor and Board of Aldermen met Thursday, May 9, in regular session, with five members present and Alderman Michael Phelps absent.
The board approved several agenda items related to the upcoming fiscal year as well as a stipend increase for some city firefighters and lighting updates to the city maintenance building.
In budget items, the city voted to approve the following without opposition:
- A 10% match for the city retirement for the 2024-2025 fiscal year beginning July 1. The city is required to match retirement at 7.01% but opts to match at 10%.
- A 3% cost of living increase for city employees and standard pay scales for all city departments.
- An ordinance to increase the standard residential sanitation pickup by $1, or 5.71%. City Recorder Jim Garland said this is the first increase since 2019. The ordinance passed on the first reading with all present in favor. The ordinance will be brought up for a second reading in June.
- The 2024-2025 City Budget and Tax Rate Ordinance were approved on the first reading with a unanimous roll call vote. The tax rate remains the same at 90-cents. There will be a second reading and public hearing of the matter at the June meeting.
- The 2024 audit contract including a required Municipal Chart of Accounts Crosswalk was approved at $39,950 with Alexander, Thompson and Arnold PLLC.
Assistant Fire Chief Chase Moore presented a resolution to increase the per call stipend for Class 1A volunteer firefighters to $30. This affects only those certified by the State of TN Firefighting Commission to the level of Firefighter 1. The resolution was approved with a unanimous roll call vote.
The board approved lighting improvements for the city maintenance shop at a total of $22,885.59. All lighting in the maintenance building and two storage sheds will be replaced with LEDs. The funding is included as renovations in the current budget.
In other business, the board approved construction of an additional structure on the Stoll’s Property in Magic Valley, as per deed requirements, and granted authority to Mayor Bobby King and Public Works Director Carter Scales to select the best quote on a project to repaint the lines on Church Ave.
Henderson Police Department Assistant Chief Tim Crowe announced the HPD made the switch to digital on Friday with the implementation of a grant purchased radio system.
Utilities Director Darryl Green requested and was granted unanimous approval to apply for a grant for extending the water line for fire protection from the Ducks area to Wilson School Road, and an infrastructure grant. There is no known match for either. Green also verified a worker had sustained a serious injury last week on the North Ave. project. He said the incident is under investigation.
The board also discussed vending truck restrictions and regulations, noting several vendors the area. Among requirements, food trucks must set up on private property (none on city streets), with the property owners’ written permission, must meet all applicable state and federal regulations, must meet local building codes, must have a current health inspection certificate, etc. There was further discussion of the differences between brick and mortar and the more permanent food trucks versus traveling vendors who set up for a limited time frame.
Enville approves budget, appoints aldermen
The Enville City Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Tuesday, May 7, at Enville City Hall. They approved the upcoming budget on the first reading and appointed two new aldermen to fill vacancies.
Those present included Mayor Melinda Johnston, Alderman Kaye Ritter, Alderman Shane Johnston, Alderman Nick Weatherington, and visitors Patsy Weatherington, Parker Herndon, and Molly Marchbanks.
Old business included the passage of Private Chapter No. 45 in the Tennessee Senate to make changes to the City Charter.
The Rescue Squad has completed their part of the lease agreement and a Rescue Squad vehicle should soon be housed in the Enville Fire Department for use in the Enville area of Chester County.
The budget for the 2025 fiscal year was presented to the board and passed on the first reading. A Public Notice will be run in the Chester County Independent for two weeks preceding the next town meeting on June 18, 2024. There will be a second reading of the budget. The public is invited to attend.
The board voted to appoint Parker Herndon and Molly Marchbanks to fill vacancies. Both Herndon and Marchbanks are on the August ballot. They were sworn in by Election Board member Patsy Weatherington. Alderman Shane Johnston submitted his resignation due to a move out of state.
Resolution 5-7-2024 was approved, awarding the Enville City Mayor a raise in pay from $300 per month to $600 per month. The salary had not changed in over 20 years.
The next meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Enville City Hall.
Library board meets today
The Chester County Library Board will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the library boardroom.
Old business to be discussed includes the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget and the construction project. New business on the agenda includes library staff yearly evaluations, reinstatement of library cards, proposed closings for bathroom remodel and a review of the meeting room policy. The board will also hear reports from the director, treasurer, regional library and friends of the library.
