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Hope Mills reviews fee schedule, food-truck permit and park rental rules; staff cites state law on 'sunshine list'
Summary
In a special budget workshop, Hope Mills officials reviewed fee-schedule changes including a likely removal of a $10 sunshine-list printing fee (staff cited NCGS 143-318.2), set the annual food-truck permit at $50 in workshop discussion and debated ending rentals in the Reed’s Journey portion of park shelters.
At a special 5:00 p.m. workshop, Hope Mills Town officials reviewed proposed changes to the municipal fee schedule and discussed several parks and program items while working through the draft FY2025-26 budget.
Sunshine list and statute: Board members questioned why the fee schedule still lists a $10 charge for a "sunshine list" when town staff said the municipality does not currently charge residents for that service. A staff member cited North Carolina statute NCGS 143-318.2 and said the town can remove the fee from its schedule if the board wishes; staff recommended checking whether the fee must remain listed by law even if not collected.
Food-truck permits: The board reviewed the food-truck permit language and clarified that the $25 (staff noted it should be $50) is an annual, location-specific permit tied to a commercial property; event permits are handled separately and may carry different fees and inspections. During the workshop discussion a board member voiced support for raising the annual permit to $50.
Park rentals and picnic shelters: The board discussed increases in picnic-shelter deposits and hourly rates and a staff recommendation to discontinue rentals specifically in the Reed's Journey portion of the park while continuing rentals at Municipal Park, Brow Park and Ed Park. Staff and members also discussed gazebo and recreation-center rental rates and other small redlined fee changes.
Summer-camp registration and resident priority: Staff reported summer-camp slots were expanded from 30 to 40 and filled very quickly; the parks staff recommended a residents-first early-registration period (24 hours) while keeping resident discounts rather than changing fees.
Next steps: Fee changes and park-policy recommendations still require formal approval; staff will prepare the budget and supporting materials for the 7:00 p.m. regular meeting where the operating budget will be placed for action.
