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Cramerton board reviews FY2022–23 budget, eyes $1.4M in ARPA for downtown and public safety
Summary
At a March 30 budget work session, the Town of Cramerton’s Board of Commissioners reviewed FY2022–23 budget priorities including proposed use of $1.4 million in ARPA funds for downtown improvements and public-safety equipment, discussed personnel additions across departments and considered modest pay adjustments to retain staff.
The Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners met March 30 for a budget work session focused on priorities for the FY2022–23 budget, including proposed uses for roughly $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and several personnel requests across town departments.
Town Manager David Pugh told the board the town will present a balanced FY2022–23 budget at a June 2 meeting and that a new finance director has been hired. He said available one-time resources include about $1,400,000 in ARPA funds, approximately $130,000 remaining from the 2021 paving project and roughly $100,000 in unspent FY2021–22 capital outlay. Pugh said the county will conduct a full property revaluation during FY2022/23; based on a prior 22.5% revaluation increase, the town’s fiscal-year 2022–23 tax revenue is projected at $3,244,213 and a similar revaluation could yield about $730,000 more in FY2023–24.
The board reviewed proposed capital items that staff suggested for ARPA or other funding sources: a downtown parking area ($786,000), shade sails for public space ($200,000), additional streetscape ($75,000), a street sweeper ($275,000) and moisture mitigation/building maintenance at the C.B. Huss Recreation Center ($348,000). Pugh told commissioners current ARPA guidance permits municipalities with budgets under $10 million to allocate ARPA to public-safety uses, which opened options to direct funds toward police and fire equipment and personnel needs.
Commissioners discussed staffing requests from multiple departments. Planning and Zoning asked for an environmental planner to help with stormwater management and permit reviews. Parks & Recreation requested an additional full-time maintenance crew member and higher part‑time starting wages; staff also proposed a 3% increase for full‑time employees in addition to scheduled cost‑of‑living adjustments. Police and Fire leaders requested additional officers and coverage; Chief Brad Adams noted equipment and technology costs for policing — body cameras, new records software, and laptops — and estimated a fully equipped patrol vehicle at about $55,000.
The board debated the size and timing of merit raises. Commissioner Kincaid contrasted recent inflation (about 7%) with a proposed 2.5% merit increase and said the town should remain competitive; the board considered increasing merit raises to 3–3.5% or exploring longevity pay. Pugh said staff will prepare salary worksheets and that funding tradeoffs will be part of the line‑item budget discussion.
Procedural notes: the board approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda unanimously earlier in the session. Commissioners asked staff to return with cost estimates and funding options for each capital item and to provide the full budget worksheets in advance of future work sessions.
