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Canton Town board adopts 2024–25 budget, approves $487,136 Chestnut Mountain Bridge contract and traffic-safety grant
Summary
At a June 13 special meeting the Canton Town Board unanimously adopted the 2024–25 budget and fee schedule (including a $50 splash-pad table rental), approved a $487,136.43 contract for the Chestnut Mountain Bridge, and accepted a $10,000 NC Highway Safety grant for overtime traffic enforcement.
Canton Town’s Mayor and Board of Aldermen/women unanimously approved the town’s 2024–25 Budget Ordinance and a package of related measures at a special meeting on June 13, 2024.
The board adopted the budget and the 2024–25 Schedule of Fees, which includes a new policy allowing two-hour picnic-table rentals at the Sorrells Street Park Splash Pad for $50 (the Splash Pad itself remains free to park visitors). Alderwoman Mull moved to adopt the budget ordinance and Alderman Hamlett seconded; all three members present voted in favor.
The board also approved a Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Ordinance, with a public commitment from Mayor Zeb Smathers to publish on the town website a list of streets that will be paved using the revenues, after resident Carl Cortright urged the town to provide that transparency. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Alderman Hamlett, seconded by Alderwoman Mull, and carried unanimously.
Police Chief Sluder told the board the town was awarded a $10,000 grant through the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety program to cover officer overtime for traffic enforcement; the board approved the grant resolution on the same 3–0 vote. Finance Officer Walker presented a set of year-end budget amendments described as routine adjustments and not an increase to the adopted budget; the board approved those amendments.
On capital projects, the board voted to approve a vetted contract for the Chestnut Mountain Bridge project with a total cost of $487,136.43. The motion was made by Alderman Hamlett and seconded by Alderwoman Mull and passed unanimously.
Other administrative actions approved included the disposition of antiquated police equipment and items lost in the August 17, 2021 flood and adoption of the town’s Schedule of Fees for 2024–25. Where motions were recorded, Hamlett was the mover and Mull the seconder; Mayor Zeb Smathers, Alderwoman Mull and Alderman Hamlett were present and voted yes on the listed motions (Alderwoman Proctor and Alderman Shepard were absent).
At 6:35 p.m. the board voted to enter closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) (economic development), (5) (attorney/client), and (6) (personnel). The meeting was then adjourned; the next Special Called meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at Town Hall, 85 Summer Street.
Votes at a glance: 2024–25 Budget Ordinance — mover: Alderwoman Mull; second: Alderman Hamlett; vote: 3 yes, 0 no. Adoption, Schedule of Fees — mover: Alderman Hamlett; second: Alderwoman Mull; vote: 3–0. Splash Pad rental and budget addition — mover: Alderman Hamlett; second: Alderwoman Mull; vote: 3–0. Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Ordinance (with commitment to publish street list) — mover: Alderman Hamlett; second: Alderwoman Mull; vote: 3–0. NC Highway Safety Grant ($10,000) — mover: Alderman Hamlett; second: Alderwoman Mull; vote: 3–0. Budget amendments — mover: Alderwoman Mull; second: Alderman Hamlett; vote: 3–0. Disposition of assets — mover: Alderwoman Mull; second: Alderman Hamlett; vote: 3–0. Chestnut Mountain Bridge contract ($487,136.43) — mover: Alderman Hamlett; second: Alderwoman Mull; vote: 3–0.
