Hope Page

Town's cash-flow crunch

Roughly $178,000 less in monthly sales tax and a $660,000 ARPA transfer leave next year's budget about 3 cents of tax rate short before any new spending.

Town Manager Transition and Recruitment

Vacancy savings help narrow the cash-flow gap but won't close it entirely.

Town manager residency requirement

No cost, though relocation expenses were debated as a possible future contract item.

Call for charter change to two-year terms

Frequent elections could end up costing taxpayers more money to run polling places more often.

Heritage Park Phase II funding

Could save taxpayers $519,000 on phase-two construction if awarded.

Frozen police and fire positions

Federal partners cover up to $20,000 in overtime per task force officer annually, though the town pays base salaries.

FY 2026-2027 Budget and 4.5-Cent Tax Increase

The proposed budget is balanced at a $0.48 tax rate.

Civility and treatment of police department

Potential savings from centralized fleet oversight; no figure given.

Reverting to two-year terms for elected officials

No direct cost, but it changes how often voters get to weigh in on the board.

Investigation Funding and Deadline

Unknown — the budget amendment's dollar amount was not included in the published agenda materials.

County Planning Services Cost Increase

Already reduced by about $33,000; further savings not expected until next fiscal year.

Godwin Greenway road MOU

Unknown construction and maintenance costs potentially borne by taxpayers.

Police department investigation

A $60,000 unbudgeted expense, with more possible.

Aging vehicle fleet and deferred maintenance

$237,625 moved from prior-year reserves into the current budget; no new money.

ForceMetrics contract validity and procurement policy

The town could lose the $12,000 first-year discount while the contract is reworked, and the episode exposes a larger contract-review gap.

$500,000 parks matching grant under financial scrutiny

Almost $3 million in grants has kept major park projects off the tax bill, and department revenue approaches $400,000 a year.

Personnel Policy Update (Resolution R2026-010)

The freeze is part of the cost-containment effort tied to the newly adopted FY 2026-2027 budget, which passed 4-1.

State audit response and corrective actions

Roughly $1.2 million came out of reserves; projections say cash could run dry by 2028, though the manager disputes that.

Camden Road widening project

FAMPO funding covers sidewalk costs for the entire Camden Road project, saving the town significant money.

Cotton VFD contract increase

$46,198 increase to $90,547.10 for FY 2026-27.

Approval of Agenda

Interlocal Agreement for Planning Services

Seal Closed Session Minutes

Investigation Contract Amendment — Richardson Investigative Group

Adjournment

Agenda approval

ZNG-005-26 rezoning at 2723 Hope Mills Rd.

Consent Agenda items A, B and D

Resolution R2026-029 — street acceptance

Safety Manual amendment

Heritage Park Phase II LWCF grant

Budget Amendment #15 — Cotton VFD

Police Asset Forfeiture Policy

Clearview AI contract payment

Budget Amendment #16 — software

Law enforcement bonus program / Budget Amendment #17

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS.

Consideration and approval of the Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes: October 5, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes (TAB 3)

Approval of agenda

Veterans Affairs Committee FY26 Strategic Initiatives Pilot

Enter closed session (attorney-client privilege and personnel)

Credit card use policy

She believed violators of the credit card policy should be required to lose future card use, not left to discretion.