Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

The following is a staff-prepared summary of key discussion points and decisions from this meeting. For the complete official record, please refer to the approved minutes above.

Lewis Farm Property — Public Comment Troy Bridges, a real estate representative, appeared before the board alongside members of the Lewis family to discuss the upcoming listing of the Lewis Farm property, approximately 103 contiguous acres located within Ranlo's town limits.

• The Lewis family stated they are selling the property in order to purchase larger acreage in a more rural area, allowing them to continue farming operations. Increasing suburban development surrounding their farm — including nearby subdivisions — has made it difficult to maintain cattle and equipment on the current site.
• The representative noted that the property is being publicly marketed, but that the Lewis family has committed to requiring any prospective buyer to meet with the Town of Ranlo board before proceeding, in order to ensure development aligns with community interests.
• The representative offered advice to the town regarding future development oversight, recommending that Ranlo hire its own independent engineering inspectors rather than relying solely on developer-hired firms, to ensure infrastructure such as roads and utilities is built to standard and does not create long-term costs for the town.
• The Lewis family extended an open invitation for a community barn visit before the property sale is finalized.

Resident Water Bill Concern — Public Comment A Ranlo resident came before the board to raise concerns about significantly elevated water bills she experienced following a water line leak on her property that began around August 2023.

• The resident indicated the leak has since been repaired, but she incurred several months of unusually high bills and sought financial relief from the town.
• Staff noted that the town has a one-time bill forgiveness policy for high water bills, but confirmed the resident did not meet the minimum threshold to qualify for that program.
• Staff confirmed a payment installment arrangement had already been set up with the resident at a prior meeting. Staff also noted that county-level assistance programs may be available and offered to look into additional options.
• The board clarified that the water meter and all plumbing from the meter to the home are the property owner's responsibility.

Nonprofit Facility Rental Rate Policy Staff presented research and a draft policy framework to allow the board to offer reduced facility rental rates to qualifying nonprofit organizations, a topic first raised at the March 2024 meeting.

• Staff researched neighboring jurisdictions and found that discounted nonprofit rates are not commonly offered in the area, though a workable policy example was identified from the Town of Chadbourn, NC.
• Two options were presented: (1) a simplified application-only process where each request is brought to the board for a vote, or (2) a full written policy establishing eligibility criteria, a two-vote approval process, conflict-of-interest provisions, and procedures for retroactive rate credits.
• Key policy features include: required 501(c)(3) documentation, alignment with town goals, local impact considerations, mandatory board member recusal in cases of conflict of interest, and a provision allowing the board to set the discounted rate individually for each applicant.
• The board voted to adopt Option 2, the full nonprofit reduced rental rate policy. The motion was made and seconded, and passed unanimously.

City Limit Sign Updates Staff provided a follow-up report on the status of Ranlo's town limit signs, following direction from the March meeting to contact the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) about relocating certain signs.

• Staff confirmed that several signs around town — including one in the Monterey area that is no longer legible — will be replaced or relocated by NCDOT.
• The sign on Spencer Mountain Road cannot be moved at this time. NCDOT explained that city limit signs are only placed where the town's jurisdiction covers both sides of a road. The current sign location reflects where the town boundary crosses to both sides of the road; further movement would require the town's boundary to extend further down the mountain.
• Staff has submitted GIS maps to the NCDOT engineer responsible for sign replacements and new placements.

YMCA Corporate Membership for Town Employees Staff presented detailed cost information on a potential YMCA corporate membership benefit for Ranlo's 31 employees, following a request from the board at the March meeting.

• The YMCA offers a corporate membership structure where the town can choose to subsidize 50% or 75% of the monthly membership cost for employees, with the employee paying the remainder. Joining fees would be waived for all participants.
• At a 75% town subsidy, individual adult memberships would cost the employee approximately $13.75 per month (down from $55). A family membership (two adults and dependents) would cost the employee approximately $22 per month (down from $88).
• Due to the YMCA's corporate pricing structure, the town would pay a flat rate equivalent to five memberships regardless of how many of the 31 employees enroll. The total annual cost to the town at the 75% level would be approximately $3,217 — compared to approximately $19,948 if memberships were purchased individually — representing a potential savings of roughly $16,000.
• Staff noted that the YMCA recommends against fully subsidizing memberships at 100%, as employees with a small personal financial stake are more likely to actively use the facilities.
• No board vote was recorded in the available portion of the transcript; discussion was ongoing at the point the transcript ends.