The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on at the city hall council chambers at 4:30 p.m. on June 29. The meeting was called in an effort to pass the budget before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. The first reading of the bill to adopt the budget was held at the June 27 meeting of the board. No action is taken after the first readings of city bills. Several other bills that were also read for the first time earlier in the week were brought before the board again to be voted on during the June 29 meeting.
Present were Mayor Greg Parker, Alderwoman Kala Sisco, and Alderman Kyle Williams. Alderman Bolerjack attended via Zoom, and Alderwoman Duncan was absent.
Also present were City Administrator Sally Burbridge, Clerk Tammy Koller, Public Works Director Mark Nash, and Treasurer Stacey Houston.
The first bill discussed was no. 3541, which changes the time frame used to determine an automatic rate increase or decrease for the electric rates. Formerly, numbers from July-June were used. The bill moves the timeframe to May-April, or to the most recent “trued up” numbers for purchase of power, according to staff. After a brief discussion, Williams moved to approve the bill, and Sisco seconded. The measure passed by a 3-0 vote.
The next bill discussed was no. 3542, which raises electric rates by 3.5%. The bill originated as a recommendation from the Utility Committee. The rate was set to increase by 7.7% automatically due to an increase in cost of the city’s purchase of power.
“Had we done nothing, it was going to be a 7%[sic] increase, because the city of Salem saw a 7%[sic] increase,” said Williams. “We still want to build up the reserve to meet our codes. However, we decided to even out the operating budget on this line to give a little bit of a break,” he said.
The utility committee had started at a 0% increase, running different numbers to see what would balance the electric operating budget rather than leaving a deficit.
“We may have to look at a budget increase later,” said Williams, who moved to approve the bill. Bolerjack seconded the motion. Parker called for the vote, which was 3-0 in favor, passing the increase.
Next was bill no. 3552, which adopts the annual budget. The budget had been reviewed by several prior meetings of the Finance Committee and was recommended to pass with the addition of $10,000 to be put toward fireworks in 2024.
“Everything on here looks fine,” said Sisco, who then began discussing the amount recommended to be put toward next year’s fireworks. She said $10,000 seemed high. Alderman Williams and others discussed other costs associated with the event. Administrator Burbridge said that included in the previous budget were the cost of the pyrotechnics and those licensed to set them off, the cost of the renting Dent County Commons, the cost of insurance, and costs for staff maintenance of the property. She said there were a number of costs, such as the costs for law enforcement during the event, that are not all accounted for by the $18,000 that was budgeted for the event in prior years. Burbridge reminded the aldermen that just because the money was in the budget, the city isn’t under an obligation to spend it.
“I think $10,000 is a good amount on our end,” said Williams after discussion.
“The public has had so much outreach of conflict due to us not holding fireworks. I would like to see more of those who are set on seeing fireworks to help with more community involvement,” said Mayor Parker. “I’d like to see the city and the county work together. There has been a past history where there was no working together. I’d like to see that relationship renewed,” said Parker, who also noted that he would like to see more community members involved in the event. “We need your help,” said Parker.
Parker called for a motion to approve the budget. Sisco made the motion, and Williams seconded. The vote was 3-0 in favor, adopting the budget.
The meeting was then adjourned by a 3-0 vote at 4:46 p.m.
