North Carolina Construction News staff writer
“One of my most important responsibilities is to ensure the financial well-being of our city and its residents, and approving a fiscally responsible budget is an essential commitment,” said Mayor Mitch Colvin. “The approved budget includes most importantly, only the voter approved tax increase, in addition to cost-of-living adjustments for our police, firefighters and all city employees and contours investment in city services.
This is all in the face of county tax formula changes which took millions from Cumberland County municipalities,” said Colvin.
Council voted to reprogram $850,000 ARPA projects from intersection projects to day resource center and the Phoenix Center. That means intersection improvements would now be funded by the increased vehicle license fee funds.
As part of the 2022 referendum-approved bond debt program, the authorization of $12 million of housing bonds will be held until the City Council appropriates those funds. The cdity has until the fall of 2029 to issue the debt.
Council approved a recommendation to redirect $850,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding from infrastructure improvements to the following:
- $600,000 to provide operating funds to the City’s Day Resource Center for two years,
- $300,000 in FY 2024 and $300,000 in FY 2025.
- $150,000 to provide funds to the Phoenix Center for two years, $75,000 in FY 2024 and
- $75,000 in FY 2025. The funding will add to existing service agreements with the Phoenix Center and Rape Crisis of Cumberland County. The requested funding was for a victim services position and additional room vouchers.
- $100,000 for the development of an environmental sustainability plan.
Council voted to double the capital contribution to the Cape Fear Regional Theater, bringing the total to $500,000. The original request from CFRT is for $2.5 million to fund capital improvements and renovations at their existing facility. The City Council will be asked to approve a resolution with a $2.5 million commitment, $500,000 annually for five years.
Also, the budget inclues $350,000 for the Glennville Lake Walking Trail design. The City will request funding for this project from the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.