Budget workshop: Fletcher departments preview equipment, accessibility and storm‑recovery needs

Department directors used the council’s budget workshop to summarize 2024 accomplishments and to preview requests for the coming fiscal year.

IT and facilities: Matthew Horton reported completion of a multi‑year hardware modernization that replaced more than 60 workstations and upgraded 17 police mobile data terminals to current hardware and software. Remaining work includes Butcher Park repairs from Hurricane Helen; Horton said repairs are roughly 70% complete after a third‑party contractor submitted a change order to replace damaged underground wiring.

Accessibility and software: Horton said the town will propose an ADA website accessibility module (vendor subscription) estimated at $10,000–$12,000 annually, plus PDF‑authoring software (about $1,500 per seat per year) for staff who publish minutes and documents — an expense that will be included as a decision package in next year’s budget.

Police: Chief Terry reported the department reached full staffing and increased community engagement events dramatically. He asked council to consider (a) additional concurrent RMS licenses to increase the department’s concurrent access from nine to 12 (one‑time upgrade fee plus higher annual maintenance), (b) replacing two older mobile data terminals and adding a third for a new officer (units cost roughly $4,000 each), and (c) a limited set of cellular talk‑through devices for patrol and detectives based on cellular technology — staff estimated about nine units and roughly $2,400/year for service. Terry also said the department installed Flock cameras that aided arrests and case closures and that he plans to use prior drug forfeiture funds to replace frontline firearms and optics over the next two to three years.

Parks: Josh reported the hurricane rebuild is largely complete except for park cameras and said FEMA reimbursements have mostly been received but the town is still awaiting roughly $200,000 across eligible claims; parks also launched several programs (farmers market, clinics) and will issue an RFP for concession stand operations for the coming season.

Public works: Jabo Presley noted solid‑waste costs are increasing — the town used about 3,300 gallons of fuel for garbage operations (fuel cost roughly $12,000) and paid about $145,510 in dump fees for 2,860 tons. Presley requested several shop upgrades: a new two‑post lift for vehicle work, a wheeled line‑striper/field sprayer to share with parks, additional hose reels to streamline fluid changes, and vehicle cameras tailored to each unit.

Planning: Tyler reported that a stormwater audit moved the town out of permit violation, reestablished a technical review committee (TRC) that includes external partners (NC DOT, Hendersonville Water, MSD), and said the department is evaluating whether to convert a soon‑to‑vacate part‑time planner position into a full‑time role to retain capacity.

Next steps: staff will submit budget decision packages based on these requests and return to council with cost estimates and priority recommendations. Council and staff also discussed potential use of unassigned fund balance for eligible sewer projects and continuing to pursue grant funding for larger capital items.

Representative quotes: "We have not lost one [mobile data terminal] since we switched to these, so I feel that they're well worth the cost," Matthew Horton said of the ruggedized units. Chief Terry said the department’s community engagement events increased from 24 in 2022 to 77 this year and that the department is at full staffing.