The Elon Town Council met on Tuesday, April 14 for the first of two town council meetings for the month.

Presentations 

The council heard from Sebastian Ortiz and Joe Whaler of T2 Systems, along with Town of Elon Police Chief Kelly Blackwelder, who spoke on parking regulation and enforcement possibilities.

Blackwelder stated that parking regulations are not currently enforced within the town.

The presentation focused on the needs of the town and recommendations created by T2 Systems, a parking management solutions company. Ortiz and Whaler promoted a few options that can be tailored towards the town’s revenue and parking management objectives.

One of the ideas discussed was drivers paying to park in designated areas along N. Williamson Ave., Lebanon Ave., and within downtown Elon. This would be paid via a QR code posted along those areas taking drivers to the payment site, along with the option to pay via automated text message. 

These payments are then viewable by the town’s parking enforcement officer using a handheld license plate reader. Additionally, a vehicle-mounted system can be installed on the parking enforcement vehicle to allow for the automatic reading of license plates. This would result in further upfront costs to the town, however.

“It’s really about making parking more efficient, organized and work better for the town,” Ortiz said.

Two options were presented to the council with differing numbers of parking spaces. The first option included 75 paid parking spaces and would result in a positive return on investment in 1.9 years. The second option included 112 paid parking spaces and would result in a positive return on investment in 1.4 years.

The presentation highlighted an enforcement “grace period,” during which current regulations would be enforced utilizing the T2 Systems technology. After a transition period, however, the respective parking spaces will require payment to use. 

Should the town choose to move forward with these suggestions and purchase the T2 Systems technology and software, there is a $4,500 annual subscription cost for the town.

After the parking discussion, the focus turned to Elon Police Department Sergeant Camryn Henley.

The final presentation was the 2025 Main Street Impact Report, given to the council by Downtown Development Director Jill Weston. This report is given annually.

The public investment in 2025 was $870,000, and impacted sources such as an increased number of jobs, two building improvements and one facade improvement. 

The report also lists activities that took place in Downtown Elon in 2025, such as the farmer’s market, downtown block party, and hometown Christmas.

“I hear these parents that are here on a regular basis, ‘Oh, isn’t this a cute little town?’” Weston said. “So it’s really, really important that we keep it looking the way that we do. And I’m proud of what we have.”

New Business 

A proposal regarding the installation of an electric vehicle charging station, potentially at Beth Schmidt Park, was tabled by the council.

Finally, with the new municipal fiscal year beginning on July 1, the council discussed rising costs throughout the town and the effects this may have on taxes.

Currently, Elon residents receive bulk trash removal as part of a free service provided by the town. However, this may soon change, as members of the council discussed ways in which costs could be reduced for the town.

Although there is not yet a budget amendment, proposal or motion, the council requested that Town Manager Rich Roedner research costs and potential revenue that could come from charging residents for bulk trash removal.

Brush removal will remain free for all Town of Elon residents.

Furthermore, the elimination of a currently vacant patrol officer position within the Elon Police Department could save the town upwards of $100,000 annually. This is another proposal as to how the town could save money.

Going beyond the police department, Roedner said he approached Elon Fire Department Chief Landon Massey about the possibility of removing a current vacant firefighter position within the department, cutting costs to the town even further.

The same may be true for the position of recreation program director, as indicated by Mayor Emily Sharpe.

Currently, the town is operating at more than $1,000,000 more than what was originally budgeted for, with 65% of operating costs pertaining to personnel. The town employs 74 people, per Roedner.

Each penny increase in taxes for town of Elon residents brings in approximately $92,000 for the town, members of the council discussed.

When it came directly to the matter of raising property taxes within the town, council member Michael Woods said he doesn’t want to raise taxes anymore.

Councilman Quinn Ray noted that he lives in the community, with the rest of the Town of Elon residents, and that this will raise his taxes as well, along with the rest of the council.

Appointments 

Following the presentations, the council endorsement and swearing in of the new Financial Director, Jameka Williams, took place.

Roedner gave a brief history of Williams’ work history, highlighting her previous work in both Guilliford and Orange counties.

“We are thrilled to have her here with us,” Roedner said. “She’s added a lot of lightness to the atmosphere in town hall.”

Amendments 

An additional budget amendment was passed, allowing for the position of “Master Fire Engineer/EMT” to be created within the Elon Fire Department. Those in the position will receive a 5% pay increase.

Next Meeting

The next town council meeting is scheduled to take place on April 27.