Town Council hears budget requests from department heads

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SPRUCE PINE — The Spruce Pine Town Council during a special planning session on Monday, April 26 received 2021-22 budget requests from department heads. 

Public Works Director Phillip Hise led off the discussion period by presenting his capital requests, which are highlighted by the purchase of a new Kubota tractor. The sickle mower will replace the department’s Farmtrac mower that has worn out. 

The mower was quoted at $53,892.25 with a trade-in allowance of $4,500 for the old Farmtrac mower. The council unanimously approved a decision to give Hise a purchase order for the new tractor. 

The public works department also requests a new roof for the maintenance shop, 96 water meters to replace old ones that no longer work, a new toolbox for the shop and rain suits for the maintenance crew. 

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Wood led off his requests by focusing on office technology including a new smart TV with a wall-mount and HDMI, a new laptop and desktop computer for the pool office and a new printer, all of which carry an estimated cost of about $2,550. 

Wood added he would like to have another push lawn mower and three replacement drain covers for the Brad Ragan Park pool. 

Veolia Project Manager Russell Lankford requested a new well pump, a new PLC for the Spyder SED basin and a new flowmeter. On the wastewater side, he requested a new lifted pump station at Beaver Creek, new sulfur dioxide scales and new flooring in the lab. 

Main Street Executive Director Libby Phillips said she projects an increase in her operating expenses as insurance costs have increased. She also requested a continuation of the entrepreneur grant program and funds to host the outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Spruce Pine in December. 

Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin followed Phillips and requested $4,000 to allocate to vehicles, $5,000 for ammunition for officers to qualify with, $4,000 in miscellaneous funds for detective uses, three e-citation printers for new police vehicles at $500 each and a laptop at $750.

With all department heads finished, Town Manager Darlene Butler asked the council to consider repainting parking spaces downtown and at Spruce Pine Town Hall, as much of the paint has faded over the years. She got a quote for about $5,000 for the project which could be completed later in the summer. 

Finance Officer Crystal Young closed the planning session by distributing worksheets on budget considerations for the next fiscal year. There are increases in state retirement employers’ contributions and cost of living. 

A sales tax revenue increase is expected and the worksheets also contain requests for two new computers at Town Hall at $2,000. The Mitchell Chamber also requested $5,000 for the next year to help provide services to small businesses in the area and the Spruce Pine Public Library has requested $4,875.

Councilmember Larry McKinney made a motion to approve the purchase of the new computers for Town Hall. 

Young added that the public works crew needs a third handheld meter wand for efficiently reading water meetings. McKinney made a motion to purchase a third wand, which was unanimously approved.