Votes at a glance: Montreat council approves tax-collection order, appoints tax collector, adopts domestic violence proclamation and budget amendment

The Montreat Town Council recorded several formal actions at its Oct. 9 meeting.

Order of collection: Staff presented the annual tax-collector settlement and the required "order of collection" under North Carolina statutes. Commissioner Blake moved to approve the order of collection and Commissioner Whitmer seconded; the council approved by voice vote.

Appointment of tax collector: The council moved to appoint Angie (Angela) Murphy as the town's tax collector to separate tax-collection duties from the finance director's responsibilities. The motion was made by Commissioner Widmer and seconded by Commissioner Alexander; the motion passed by voice vote and Murphy was sworn in during the meeting.

Proclamation: The council adopted Proclamation No. 25-10-001 declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month; the proclamation included national statistics and language urging community support for survivors. The motion to adopt was made by Commissioner Fouche and seconded by Commissioner Alexander; the proclamation was adopted by voice vote.

Budget amendment: The council approved Budget Amendment No. 3, appropriating $65,471.62 from the state's disaster cash‑flow loan program into Fund 29 (Hurricane Helene recovery) to maintain project cash flow while reimbursements are processed; the motion carried by voice vote.

Closed session: The council subsequently voted to enter closed session for personnel matters.

All recorded motions at the meeting passed by voice vote with no recorded nays in the transcript.