[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6620007,"mediaKeyId","2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2","parentId",2825647,"title","Board directs staff to study and price speed bumps after motion; staff warned prior speed-study did not justify installation","audioSeconds",543,"startMs",10347000,"endMs",10890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2&start=10347&end=10890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2/thumbnail_10347000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6620007/North-Carolina/Board-directs-staff-to-study-and-price-speed-bumps-after-motion-staff-warned-prior-speed-study-did-not-justify-installation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620007-91b3a0c2c43bc4bfe27ba4acaade1933/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131640&Signature=k7BkzXWiPmUzXdx2dUvkhBUg5qjv~L9LTt41uixLDe1hKmdcs2sddvjr5DhZQCvnfIB5KD8qYAnZ7iI3t2XVk~TWjRi6RAWsQ8vqjpxbDr1ULseuIrclgBIg4CpPVJ5cDY4oZOBO2hBHKJwqr6yMV6VKyq0XPkXqhZ~Y9xKNI6-bjU4riJ8Vxx3QbO8T7pe4cLe2gJnvu5HK~ONTiMqmAve~y~k1vz9LpME-yT7uJe1wImEJqA5bmCsqtCDGWdYg0jgcrcEgthILgfOhQjV4dX1bFE90dRbNZT~40FIlBnj4BUdN-PNBvJvfzTBLCTmfzb8fc6VojdA0yPdCAXTO4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pittsboro","date","2025-03-31T17:04:59.497Z","article","The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners on March 31 approved a motion to move forward on potential speed bumps in a named neighborhood area and directed staff to return with a cost and study recommendation.

Motion and vote
Commissioner Mohs (mover) made the motion to pursue speed bumps on Wood Drive (motion text recorded as “to put in his speed bumps, adding on a wood drive at whatever they cost”); a second was recorded and the board approved the motion by voice vote with commissioners responding \"aye.\" No recorded roll-call vote or recorded negative votes were reported.

What staff said
Town staff cautioned that an earlier speed study for a nearby street did not show speeds high enough to meet the town’s criteria for permanent speed bumps. Staff said the department had previously tried a type of removable plastic speed hump that did not perform well in place and was later removed. The manager said staff would obtain pricing and run a study, and recommended a policy approach so staff-level decisions could be made consistently rather than installing traffic calming piecemeal.

Why it matters: Traffic-calming installations affect resident safety and require careful engineering and community input; they are also a recurring maintenance and liability consideration.

Next steps
The board directed staff to ascertain a price for installation and to perform or update a traffic-speed study before returning with a recommendation; staff also said they would report on policy criteria to guide decisions on traffic calming features.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 31st, 2025 - Board of Commissioners - Annual Budget Retreat","oneSentenceSummary","After public discussion and a mixed staff assessment, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners approved a motion to pursue speed‑bump installation on an identified road, directing staff to obtain prices and perform a study; staff noted prior traffic data had not supported bump installation.","taxTitle","Town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina","taxId",73859,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6620012,"Residents’ complaints prompt review of GFL sanitation contract; town tracking service issues",171,5239000,5410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2&start=5239&end=5410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2/thumbnail_5239000.jpg","/articles/6620012/North-Carolina/Residents-complaints-prompt-review-of-GFL-sanitation-contract-town-tracking-service-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620012-a685ebed06b88aec1f7bc7ce4aa046ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131640&Signature=Mnp4bM02HBIMO3BcmPT5I5qiSUDkDdJUuy~hdE6dhcMjO0Zg8g~g0HYrgI3-we-udzm3~ErRURFRb34~~d0bIICt~YMOVYvpONYAcTHjOWxWA70bSqExcn4Lnx~n49mCV0EkcAJQLg05oFzYIOhjjY4tWIssEQNRq1BlnSeXFhACsXSfwwSKjERJ5v2MEh9s3M6tXlhcRql8bjCOMpcxq7I9z7rSjU5nqiA4RWsqMDBpUfOKVcMiPUe8XkPtp8GcYRPnaUXLbGYv9NdXcvScwINGAxHnM87od0-aLEx4kkf3ARUWeCJHQ2Jq~-NtqTd6DSvS~dkwrAJZPaZsdDl1Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concerns about residential sanitation service were raised during the March 31 meeting after staff reported a change in contractor operations that town leaders said reduced service quality.

Staff described the current contract price at roughly $18–$19 per household per month and said that service quality recently declined after operations were moved between contractor offices. Nicole (staff member) is documenting resident complaints; staff reported two recent sit-down meetings with the contractor and said complaints had decreased in the week after the meetings but that monitoring would continue.

Why it matters: Solid-waste service is a highly visible public service; sustained service problems can drive public dissatisfaction and increase pressure on tax decisions.

Key details
- Contract price cited: about $18 per month per household for trash and recycling collection.
- Town is tracking complaints and submitting information to the contractor; staff said complaints had dropped after recent discussions but urged residents to report ongoing issues.
- Staff said they may seek additional pricing to see if a more competitive contract could lower costs and thereby mitigate pressure on tax rates or fund-balance draws.

Discussion and next steps
Commissioners asked staff to continue documenting complaints and to bring back any alternative pricing if it becomes available. Staff said they are monitoring the contractor’s performance and will escalate if service quality does not improve.

Ending
Staff encouraged residents to report missed pickups or other issues so the town can compile evidence for enforcement or rebidding the contract if necessary.","Commissioners heard persistent resident complaints about garbage pickup under the town’s contractor (GFL); staff said they are documenting complaints, meeting with the vendor, and may solicit alternate bids to preserve revenue tied to reassessment and avoid raising taxes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6620016,"Pittsboro budget includes new IT manager and additional public-safety and public-works staff",0,2276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2&start=2276&end=2276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2/thumbnail_2276000.jpg","/articles/6620016/North-Carolina/Pittsboro-budget-includes-new-IT-manager-and-additional-public-safety-and-public-works-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620016-307ef2ab6725fd204013ea44ef19dad3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131640&Signature=IECWVIMOEx4v0U1pAzXQGV4~6wSdFRAFwD-wM9TeibuPzLrwgeS0vgQBYMpbFrGH~cdV250UKlV1VKgOgc1n2HVZ~Ol36Osr~ylIqomokotYF9nj0Edb2-6wTys7PKfJ02FZ0zaSBFKgZrgEWqJOQBhdurgKFbolBWkP8SI68FvA8p-1PCB~VhQrmCZ94-ndklsEMDhhEWKXFomKTvkLLtWu2NoS4VBbyiLlfBwfPVjEqYQGP10TpUxeDq901Rm5j5pqBzGufSHj7ZHRFbr6FuEdG2sERo~18faexpNdD1j0S29Q8L07nYyINyODok86Lktw~aKXDaDXp0718lt34g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the board on March 31 that an IT manager position would be programmed to start in January (phased to full time) to handle networking, backups, phone systems and support for multiple departments. Staff described current arrangements as decentralized and said the new position would consolidate duties now provided by outside vendors and ad‑hoc in‑house support.

Staff also described proposed police staffing changes: the budget proposes two additional patrol positions (staff said the original police request was for four but was reduced to accommodate IT needs). The police presentation also referred to adding two officers to detective/community policing earlier in the fiscal year and to expanding body-camera licensing and device counts — staff said body-camera licensing is a material recurring expense in the police budget.

Public-works and parks staffing additions were discussed: a half-year funding line for an additional maintenance worker was included to support increased routine maintenance and special events; the parks and recreation budget also includes additional part‑time hours for downtown coverage.

Why it matters: Staffing decisions affect response times, facility maintenance and downtown operations as the town grows and applications for services and facilities increase.

Key details
- IT manager: proposed start January (phased to full time), responsibilities include backups, network and desktop support, vendor management and future planning. Staff said some backup services would remain contracted while the manager would reduce recurring vendor load.
- Police: two patrol positions programmed in the draft to start in July; previous requests were for four positions but were adjusted for competing priorities.
- Public works/parks: one half‑year maintenance worker and additional part‑time parks funding for downtown staffing; the department is creating crew-leader positions for supervision.

Discussion and next steps
Commissioners asked about pay increases tied to certifications (CDL training for public-works staff) and whether the town would cover training costs; staff said costs were roughly $5,000 per CDL course and planned to stagger training. Staff agreed to return with specifics on timing and placement of new positions as part of the budget adoption process.

Ending
Board members signaled support for addressing IT centralization and public-safety staffing needs but asked staff to provide greater detail on timing, salary impacts and operational deployment before final budget adoption.","Council heard staff requests to add an IT manager to centralize digital services and to add patrol officers and public-works positions; staff said some positions are phased to full time in July and will address growing demands from new development and more complex municipal IT needs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6620021,"Pittsboro fire department warns rising calls and a problematic new engine heighten need for station and staffing upgrades",1004,3266000,4270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2&start=3266&end=4270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2/thumbnail_3266000.jpg","/articles/6620021/North-Carolina/Pittsboro-fire-department-warns-rising-calls-and-a-problematic-new-engine-heighten-need-for-station-and-staffing-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620021-ebfb3415cbf46e25b9ae3099bf0ff30b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131640&Signature=nODRDpkJV-N5m3nVQj-La8nKX2b3M524CGcbyfhBrTO7KfcNWNNS4DtUvtZrOo67789U7B~apZABcSGKvRC2UWYczE60AYfGDplv3LHY3eCDsXdVQgaSEPmv3KTuzz4G9OK5g~JI0cn8Im7y293IUscWj4kf9I-gp7V0uvRLl7SJcD4ZvzPle3sEEAb72LDCAHLSdrB-SP18wVp9MyVVMKr6rbLX7gaT2tm8HQ5BlIAolozP~ThRS7je57aLCT1~J8PkDF6CSMOCPFdRMiWYrTWuyAYoD19ciD-SvZiO5oP0w~lTAXFP1eEbiLaYQSI-0WNW8jGz4k0WYuB6EpIo6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Department leadership told the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners on March 31 that rising call volume, denser development and narrow downtown streets are increasing pressure on the department and that staffing levels and station placement must keep pace.

The presenter said the town’s call totals rose sharply between 2020 and 2024 and that development such as Mosaic has added multi‑story residential buildings that complicate firefighting and access. He and other speakers described response-time challenges on narrow or parked streets; staff said an additional eastside station (referred to during the meeting as Station 2 on Old Ram Road) would improve coverage for new growth corridors.

The department also discussed a fire engine under construction and delivery delay: the engine contract signed three years ago had an original price the presenter cited as $888,000; staff said the same vehicle now lists at about $1.1 million. The town reported functional problems with the ladder and pump on a delivered apparatus during recent testing; staff said the town is pursuing a financial resolution and indicated an estimate of roughly $360,000 as an “aim point” to settle deficits caused by the extended delivery time and vendor nonperformance. Fire leadership said they will not accept the apparatus back into service until the factory makes it right.

Why it matters: Rising service demand increases the need for more personnel, additional stations and reliable apparatus; delays or faulty equipment can materially affect response capability and capital budgets.

Key details
- Call volume: The department recorded a sharp increase in total calls between 2020 and 2024; staff said growth is linked to development and new neighborhoods.
- Staffing: The presentation stated current minimum staffing is constrained; staff described scenarios when a single engine arrived with only two or three personnel, which they said is inadequate for interior firefighting.
- Stationing: Officials repeated that an eastside Station 2 at or near Old Ram Road would reduce response times for the area where growth is occurring.
- Apparatus: Contract for a new engine signed three years ago; original contract amount cited as $888,000 and current comparable vehicle at $1.1 million. Department reported ladder and pump problems during testing and stated financial remediation discussions with the manufacturer are ongoing.

Discussion and direction
Commissioners asked about automatic aid, shared response plans with the county, and the county’s contribution to the joint fire budget (county covers a portion of the service cost). Staff indicated the county pays a share reflecting its valuation ratio.

Ending
The board heard requests to prioritize staffing and station siting in future capital decisions and directed staff to continue negotiating the apparatus issue and to provide updated cost estimates and staffing plans when they return with budgetary items.","Fire officials told the board that call volume has climbed with new development, that response times and narrow streets are stressing operations, and that a recently ordered engine has delivery delays and mechanical problems that may require a financial remedy from the vendor.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6620025,"Pittsboro proposes $14 million budget, keeps tax rate near revenue-neutral level while funding staff and capital projects",250,1620000,1870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2&start=1620&end=1870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2825647-0eb6907340d7e2ecb254b27987b55be2/thumbnail_1620000.jpg","/articles/6620025/North-Carolina/Pittsboro-proposes-14-million-budget-keeps-tax-rate-near-revenue-neutral-level-while-funding-staff-and-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620025-edbc5e61b31d469887cfd55eac2a9259/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131640&Signature=KO3SzJCk7g5hs02wgi~HsxCm7qx3YLk9TWMow1V1dlrpg1slH~yJExucNHc-KcRf06IFmYYaGyMKuUnl0UHreValcfpE5235Q51Xm7jdQlDMkU8g7EB3xSPEYSCs9CKg1MQs9s6Jeb7dZeP3VXifWTRDAzlNFvu5ZtFjTgx80ERyJkP-UG-aAI4mp07v~fqtXVxGl1FCnWS9aUc3A2l0k1RpB28kEh3JuikOxpSONtLatT5sE3VWDA7Qa73COLz2R5VLXy9D-9ybaM~ef01PTiV3D3UeuO-Qc4EiSBAc-TB8fQ~bnqGRWZ09EVaQ21I04f857Je1iD8uPMsjZGqqmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Pittsboro staff on March 31 presented a working fiscal-year budget that proposes about $14 million in spending and relies on ad valorem property tax revenue for roughly half of that total.

The draft budget shows roughly $7 million in property-tax revenue, with ad valorem receipts representing about 53.6% of the proposed general fund. Other revenue sources cited by staff include a 14% local option sales tax, a motor vehicle tax recently implemented, franchise and utility taxes, and fees for planning, parks and solid waste. Staff also proposed using approximately $1.1 million from fund balance; about $700,000 of that appropriation is earmarked for a land purchase described during the meeting as “not specified.”

Town Manager Heather (staff member) told commissioners the town’s revenue-neutral tax rate after the recent county revaluation is about 0.3449. Staff said sales-tax receipts that surged after COVID are expected to level off and warned the board should not assume continued strong growth. The budget assumes personnel cost increases for retention and market adjustments, and carries several new or reclassified positions: two police positions, one additional public-works employee (half-year in the plan), an IT manager, and conversion of a downtown part-time position to full time.

Why it matters: The budget packages personnel increases with investment in capital projects and planning work the town says is needed to keep pace with development. Commissioners raised questions about long-term debt capacity and the effect of the county revaluation on taxpayers.

Most important details
- Overall proposed budget: about $14,000,000; ad valorem (property) revenue about $7,000,000.
- Revenue mix: ad valorem ~53.6%, local option sales tax ~14%, solid waste revenue ~4%, fund-balance appropriation ~7.3%, local proceeds ~5.5%, and a 1% contract from the City of Sanford for engineering services.
- Fund-balance withdrawal: staff said they plan to draw about $1,100,000 from fund balance; $700,000 of that is for an anticipated land purchase (described in the meeting but not specified further).
- New or converted positions programmed in the draft: 2 police officers, 1 public-works position (half-year), 1 IT manager, and downtown manager conversion to full time. Staff said some positions will be phased to full time in July.
- Capital projects and priorities discussed: town hall design work (proposal expected on April agenda), continued planning for public-works building, design funding for sidewalks (Channel Lake, Salisbury Street), Thompson Street and other downtown projects, and a shuttle/circulator route supported by state grant applications.
- Debt capacity: staff estimated additional debt capacity in the low millions depending on decisions; they cautioned large facility cost overruns could reduce capacity.

Discussion and next steps
Commissioners and staff discussed the county revaluation’s effect on tax bills, whether to hold the town’s adopted rate near the revenue-neutral rate, and how stable sales-tax receipts might be in the near term. Staff said final retirement and medical-insurance rates were not yet published and would be updated before the public hearing. The manager asked whether the board wanted to proceed with design proposals already scoped (town hall, public-works) and noted that final decisions on borrowing would return to the board for approval.

Ending
Staff will return an updated budget for public hearing with finalized insurance and retirement numbers, and the board asked staff to provide more detail on proposed capital projects and estimated debt service before final adoption.","Town staff presented a working FY 2025–26 budget that relies on property tax revenue and a mix of user fees and fund balance, proposes several new staff positions and capital projects, and leaves the board to decide whether to hold the ad valorem tax rate near the revenue-neutral level.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board directs staff to study and price speed bumps after motion; staff warned prior speed-study did not justify installation

Residents’ complaints prompt review of GFL sanitation contract; town tracking service issues

Pittsboro budget includes new IT manager and additional public-safety and public-works staff

Pittsboro fire department warns rising calls and a problematic new engine heighten need for station and staffing upgrades

Pittsboro proposes $14 million budget, keeps tax rate near revenue-neutral level while funding staff and capital projects