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Garner council moves to finalize plan for full‑time affordable‑housing staff; vote set for Dec. 16
Summary
After extended discussion and mixed views on timing, the council voted 4‑1 to continue the affordable‑housing staffing item to Dec. 16 with instructions for the task force and staff to prepare a job description and budget amendment for final action.
Garner — The Garner Town Council on Oct. 21 agreed to advance the Affordable Housing Task Force’s recommendation to establish a full‑time staff position focused on affordable housing and community development, but set a December 16, 2025 date for final council action that will include a budget amendment.
Councilmember Elmo Vance, a co‑chair of the task force, moved that the council continue the discussion to Dec. 16 so task force subcommittees could finalize recommendations on the position’s focus and responsibilities, and direct staff to draft a job description and prepare a budget amendment to create the role. Councilmember Matthews seconded the motion.
Councilmember Dellinger — who has repeatedly pushed for faster implementation and argued the position should already be funded — said the council had enough information and voted no on the motion, calling for immediate funding rather than a delay. Dellinger said the town had had time to act and described the delay as disappointing for residents and volunteers who had worked on the task force.
Town Manager and task force co‑chair Mary Lou Todd and staff told council the Dec. 16 agenda item can be all‑inclusive — that is, council could approve the job description, the budget amendment and the position in a single final vote on that date. The town’s HR staff were directed to prepare classification and posting materials in parallel with task force revisions.
The motion to continue the matter to Dec. 16 and instruct staff to prepare a budget amendment passed on roll call, 4‑1 (Dellinger opposed). Councilmembers stated they expect the December item to be the final action needed to create and fund the position.
