Cynthia Hamilton

Town Manager Transition and Recruitment

$12,000 base cost, likely $15,000 with ads and background checks — already budgeted.

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 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.

Resident proposal for a 10% budget cut

Martin estimates a 10% cut could save about $2.3 million in surplus.

Road maintenance backlog

Engineering costs $22,280 base, up to $30,000, covered by Powell Bill street funds.

Professional investigative services agreement amendment

An extra $25,000 in taxpayer money, bringing the investigation total to $85,000.

Investigation Funding and Deadline

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

Reverting to two-year terms for elected officials

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

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

Up to $500,000 town match, plus staff time to administer the grant.

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.

Approval of the agenda

Consent agenda (Items A and B)

Heritage Park sensory garden bid — Cardinal Landscaping, $22,571

Summit Design & Engineering proposal for Bretton Woods resurfacing

Budget Amendment No. 19 — Richardson Group investigative services

Mid-Carolina COG town manager recruitment proposal, $12,000

Closed session and sealing of minutes

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

Temporary closure of tennis courts

Wanted a reopening/funding plan in place before closing, including possibly earmarking rental fees.

Enter closed session (attorney-client privilege and personnel)

approve the FY26-27 budget

Adopt FY 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance 2026-004

Objected to the $5,000 VFW allocation and paying contractors more than the revenue they bring in, and urged the board to stick to decisions.

Budget Amendment #29 — $430,000 for walking trail repair

Not comfortable committing funds before bids are received, particularly in light of the state audit findings.

Revisit golf course for baseball fields (sports complex direction)

Believes the decision should be left to the public; residents oppose golf course development.