By Holly Roeder
The City of Henderson Mayor and Board of Aldermen met Thursday night in regular session with all members in attendance.
The board unanimously approved the 2023-2024 City Budget, a cost-of-living increase and bonuses, American Rescue Plan expenditures and allocated funds toward the 2023 Juneteenth celebration.
The 2023-2024 City Budget and tax rate ordinance unanimously on the first reading. City Recorder Jim Garland explained there are some changes to the form this year due to new requirements by the comptroller.
Following a recent study and review of city employee salaries pursuant to Section 4-225 of the Henderson Municipal Code, the board unanimously passed a resolution approving a 4% cost-of-living increase and pay scale adjustments for each department. This also includes a Christmas bonus of $50 per consecutive year employed by the city and a one-time bonus of $25 per year of consecutive employment. Additionally, the board approved adjustments to standard city pay scales, bringing beginning pay to $16/hour across the board. All passed on a roll call vote.
ARP expenditures were approved on the first reading with a unanimous roll call vote. The entirety of the amount will be spent next year, according to Garland. He said items included in these expenditures are finishing city hall project, GIS computer equipment, bullet proof vests, two police cars, five SCBA and turnout gear for fire dept, air compressor for public works and utilities, $159.000 for paving city streets and $25,000 for a utility vehicle. The second reading and public hearing will be next month.
The board approved a 10% matching retirement rate for the 2023-2024 budget year. Garland stated this is not an individual matching rate but matching for the entire group. Motion carried with none opposed.
An ATA audit contract was approved for the year ending June 30, 2023, including a newly required “crosswalk” spreadsheet.
A resolution granting authority to the planning commission to delegate approval of two-tract subdivided lots passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
Marty Watson was appointed to serve as City Representative to the County Equalization Board with none opposed.
Public Works Director Scales gave a report on the sidewalk rehabilitation project. He said “We took out everything that is a hazard to tripping – that’s what we started on.” They will continue to work on the project this year, using the remainder of the paving money for the 2023 fiscal year. 27:00 Funds will specifically be allocated to continue the project next year.
The City appropriated $1,000 toward the annual Juneteenth program, as was planned for last year.
In other news, Utilities Director Darryl Greene reported 28:16 a TDEC application had been approved for a North Ave. ARP funded project, and he requested approval from the board to begin the project upon state contract procurement. A motion passed unanimously giving the Utility Department the authority to seek bids. The board passed unanimously a second motion to proceed with a parasitic acid pilot project for waste water, in lieu of the previously used chlorine. Greene said he had also received a violation for the North Lagoon relating to algae. He explained it was due largely to a lack of shade and dry seasons. He plans to look at adding shading to the lagoons.
Henderson Fire Chief Doug Acred requested permission to authorize the use of the second vehicle for firefighters attending classes and other discretionary uses. The board approved the use unanimously.
Garland shared the City Hall renovations are nearing completion. He expects the project to be completed by the end of May or middle of June.
Henderson resident Sheila Eckard addressed the board, directing her question to Public Works Director Carter Scales. She asked why the garbage cans find themselves in the street after the trash crew comes through, specifically on Sanford St. Scales explained that sometimes the wind moves the empty cans, but that he would look into it and see that they are placed in the drive.
Mayor Bobby King closed the meeting expressing gratitude to everyone for working together through the budget process.
“This is my 15th budget, and I really want to thank the council and the department heads for what they’ve done. We have not raised taxes since 2009, and if you remember that year and how tough it was, but we turned around in 2015 and 2016 and reduced them back what we raised, because of sales tax.
“We sit down and work on these budgets, and we’re realistic…We’re obligated to the employees and equally obligated to the tax payers we represent.”
King specifically mentioned Garland, stating that he is very conservative in estimating revenue and equally as generous in estimating expenditures. “Doing that over the years,” King continued, “we’ve got to the point where if we can’t afford it under that budget, we don’t do it. And that’s why we are where we are right now – with about a $2.2 million fund balance, because we live within our means…” King said this mindset is what has allowed the city to take on current and upcoming projects and to restructure salaries. “No one comes into the city making less than $16 an hour,” he said. “We’ve got to be competitive.
“This is definitely a team effort. Everybody got involved here and I’m very appreciative.”
The full meeting can be viewed online at www.chestercountyindependent.com
