TOWN OF FOUNTAIN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
July 11, 2023
6:00 p.m.

     

Regular Meeting 

*Mayor Kathy Parker called the meeting to order.

	*Commissioner Doris Edwards opened meeting in prayer.

	*Town Officials Present:
		Mayor Kathy Parker
		Commissioner Katie Strickland 
		Commissioner Glen Vines
		Commissioner Doris Edwards
		Commissioner Steve Williams
       *Town Officials Absent:
		Commissioner Rhonda Johnson
       * Present:
		Town Clerk Letha Hines
		Attorney Amy Wells
								
*Pledge of Allegiance was said by Board and citizens.

Approval of Agenda, Minutes and Financial Statements

Mayor Parker presented the Board with the July Agenda, June 13, 2023 minutes and June financial statements. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the July Agenda, June 13, 2023 minutes and June financial statements, second made by Commissioner Williams. Motion passed with no opposition. 

Petitions and Comments from Citizens

*Mrs. Linda Peele had concerns about crime in the area. She feels like the town is a sitting duck. She said when we call the Pitt County Sheriff’s Dept., they attempt to respond but they’re unable to respond in a timely manner. She asked if the town has some sort of Community Watch. She is really concerned about the town citizens. Mayor Parker said a few years ago they tried to start a Community Watch but there was little to no participation.
*Mr. Samuel Edmonds asked the Board’s permission to again use the Community Building for his annual Revival for the week of Aug. 21-25, 2023. Commissioner Strickland made the motion to allow the Revival use of the Community Building Aug 21-25, 2023, second made by Commissioner Edwards. Motion passed with no opposition.
*Ms. Phyllistine Cummings, who has purchased and is building a new house on the corner of North Jefferson St. and East Smith St. beside the property of Shirley Mitchell’s home, which burned approx... 5 years ago, asked the town to condemn the house, because if its condemned Shirley would have to fix it up or tear it down. Because it doesn’t look like she’s going to do it voluntarily. Mayor Parker said the town will get in contact with Pitt County to find out the process and take it from there.
*Ms. Wanda Thigpen who lives at East Lang St. wondered if there’s some way the town can get her street light fixed because its really dark there. Leigh advised Peggy has made a workorder but Leigh thinks that is one of the area lights that need the whole head replaced which have been ordered but still hasn’t been received yet. 

Regular Agenda: Includes Old and New Business

1.  Greg Redman, Audit Report- Mr. Greg Redman, Town Auditor, gave the Board his verbal review of the 2021-2022 Financial Statements. On page 1 of the Audit Report states there that no material weaknesses to report but there are 3 deficiencies he will talk about, 2 has to be responded to, to the Local Government Commission (LGC). ON page 14, Balance Sheet of General Fund, he pointed out the amount of cash in the bank is $605,000.00 and the Unassigned fund balance is $600,00.00. The town is required by LGC to have 70% of fund balance for the total expenses for the year, and for a town of our size needs 130% but the Town of Fountain has 200% which is about 2 years’ worth of money to spend. He said General Fund is in good shape. 
Page 16, Expenses for the General Fund, total revenue is $368,000, expenses $310,000 giving the town $58,000.00 profit. 
Page 19 Electric Fund had $1,024,000 cash and expenses. Electric Fund is the money maker and is in good shape. 
Water/Sewer fund cash in bank $373,000 and now unrestricted funds are $138,987 which isn’t as good as the other funds. Water and Sewer fund in NC are struggling. He said as long as the town has revenue to cover expenses without depreciation. Local Government Commission kind of stays away and the town has.
Page 20 shows a net loss in water and sewer shows ($82,674) with depreciation of $140,000. So, without the depreciation it was a $60,000 positive in water and sewer fund. A lot of Local Governments in Eastern NC that is not the case. 
Page 47 Property Tax Collection rate is 98% which is a pretty strong collection rate. 
He will be sending a letter to LGC advising why audit was late. 
The software as in 2 other towns has some issues, making it difficult to find out why the General Ledger wasn’t matching the Bank Statements. He has sent Leigh a general entry to hopefully fix it.
2.  McDavid Associates-Rich Moore -Rich Moore from McDavid Associates presented the Board with 3 Letters of Offer and Acceptance for American Rescue Plan Funding from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Resolutions accepting.
	Offer 1.  $211,325.00 for an Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) of the Town of Fountain Water System.  Project # VUR-AIA-D-ARP-0006  This is a 100% Grant

	Commissioner Edwards made the motion to accept the Resolution Approving Offer and Acceptance Water System Aset Inventory and Assessment Division of Water Infrastructure ARPA Project VUR-AIA-D-ARP-0006 Resolution by Governing Body of Recipient Town of Fountain, second made by Commissioner Williams. Motion passed with no opposition.
	
	Offer 2.  $354,000.00 for an Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) of the Town of Fountain Sanitary Sewer System.  Project# VUR-AIA-W-ARP-0005   This is a 100% grant. 
It includes smoke testing, rate study, electronic mapping. Commissioner Strickland made a motion to accept the Resolution Approving Offer and Acceptance Sanitary Sewer System Asset Inventory and Assessment Division of Water Infrastructure ARPA Project VUR-AIA-W-ARP-0005 Resolution by Governing Body of Recipient Town of Fountain, second made by Commissioner Vines. Motion passed with no opposition.

	Offer 3.  $1,517,500 for Lynch Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements, this is to rehab the Lynch /St. Lift Station, the oldest, about 40 years old, and the last lift station to be rehabbed.  Project # VUR-W-ARP-0076. Commissioner Strickland made a motion to accept the Resolution Approving Offer and Acceptance and Adopting Capital Project Budget Ordinance Lynch Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements Division of Water Infrastructure ARPA Project VUR-W-ARP-0076 Town of Fountain, second made by Commissioner Williams. Motion passed with no opposition.
    
Reports from Commissioners

*Commissioner Edwards said July 28, 2023 @ 10:30 am tour of the Rock Quarry will have a meal after the tour. 
Bingo was a success. 
*Commissioner Williams hopes citizens have noticed the work Aquilus and Kris have done an excellent job.
*Commissioner Vines has been hearing praise to Kris and Aquilus for their work.
*Mayor Parker said she and Steve went to Mid-East meeting. She has been appointed to the Board. 

Adjournment

Commissioner Strickland made a motion to adjourn at 6:42 pm. 

												
Mayor						Town Clerk

					
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