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Cramerton board approves software, website and police pay increases and asks NCDOT to mitigate dangerous intersection
Summary
The board approved budget amendments to buy new accounting software ($41,070), pay for website upgrades ($6,000) and increase police wages ($73,900 for 15 officers); it also approved an interlocal HOME agreement and passed a resolution urging NCDOT to address safety at a busy intersection shared with Belmont.
At its Jan. 21, 2025 workshop the Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners approved a series of budget and policy items affecting town operations, public safety and intergovernmental housing cooperation.
A budget amendment (No. 8) to appropriate $41,070 for Black Mountain accounting software to replace the town’s current system was approved unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Jennifer Ramsey. The board also approved Budget Amendment No. 9 to appropriate $6,000 for website upgrades (motion by Mayor Pro Tempore Richard Atkinson) and Budget Amendment No. 10 to appropriate $73,900 to increase Police Department salaries and wages to address retention for 15 officers (motion by Commissioner Dixie Abernathy); both measures passed unanimously.
The board reviewed a separate $10,000 proposal to buy new American flags for town displays but took no action and asked staff to return with clarified quantities and cost estimates at a future meeting.
Separately, the board approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Gastonia to participate in the HUD HOME Program; Commissioner Dixie Abernathy moved approval and the motion passed unanimously. Town Manager Zach Ollis said a draft agreement was included in the agenda packet.
Commissioner Abernathy also moved and the board approved a resolution requesting immediate mitigation from the North Carolina Department of Transportation at the Cimarron Blvd/Carolina Riverside Blvd and Armstrong Ford intersection, citing increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic and disproportionate impacts on the Timberlake and Courtyards neighborhoods.
In staff reports, planning staff noted 731 new single-family detached and attached townhomes built between 2014 and 2024 and highlighted the Red Hawk development, projected to add about 1,070 homes over an estimated 10-year period. Two Rivers Utilities is currently conducting surveys for the Brookly Neighborhood Water Relocation project and will provide timing when available.
Commissioners praised staff work, noted the importance of the police pay increase for retention, and asked for regular compensation data reviews going forward. The board adjourned after voting to reschedule a closed session that was postponed because of inclement weather.
