The Elon Town Council gathered to discuss the upcoming budget workshop April 27, in preparation for the annual budgeting meeting on May 12. In addition to hearing about a potential new charging station in Beth Schmidt Park.
Old Business:
The Elon Town Council conceptually approved a request to lease space for an electric vehicle charging station that was discussed during its April 14th meeting. The council unanimously agreed on a plan that if the planning didn't work out, they would drop it. Council member Randy Orwig said he wants to give the proposal a chance before discussions about scrapping the idea.
“We don't want to get into this with legals and everything else until we kind of know we want to do this.” Orwig said.
New Business:
The council unanimously passed a motion for the Fire District Tax public hearing date for May 12, the same day that the council will have its public budget hearing.
Discussions:
After the Feb. 20 budget retreat, town manager Richard Roedner presented a proposed budget to the council March 10, which included incorporating a five‑cent tax rate increase at the council’s direction. During an April 14 budget workshop, the council asked for more detail on bulky waste collection, merit and staffing levels, both historic and projected personnel costs and more. The council held a budget workshop in preparation for its public budget hearing set for next month.
Mayor Emily Sharpe said they would have to increase taxes by 4 to 5 cents every single year to cover their current tax rate.
Other Items:
Sharpe said she is planning to send a message out to Elon University students about setting bonfires due to Elon still being under a burn ban.
“I'm just concerned with the weather kind of being what it is that they might be inclined to have bonfires or fire pits, and they can't right now,” Sharpe said.
The Town Council will meet again for its budgeting hearing May 12.