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.

Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Presentation The town's auditor presented the results of the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

• The town received a clean (unqualified) opinion on its financial statements, meaning the financials fairly represent the town's books and records.
• The general fund ended the year with a bottom-line increase of over $800,000. The town did not need to use any fund balance and actually added to it, compared to a budgeted drawdown of $275,000.
• Unrestricted cash in the general fund reached $1.6 million, with an unassigned fund balance of approximately $1.5 million — representing 67% of expenditures, up from less than 30% the prior year. This brings the town in line with the average for similarly sized North Carolina municipalities.
• Revenue growth was driven by increased property taxes, rising local option sales tax collections, additional grants, and changes in garbage collection fees.
• The water and sewer fund also improved significantly, reaching an unrestricted cash position of over $1 million, largely due to increased rates and reduced repair and maintenance expenditures.
• The town previously appeared on the State Treasurer's financial assistance list. The auditor noted there are no areas of concern in the current audit. The board will need to submit a written response to the State Treasurer's office within 60 days, signed by a majority of the board, describing progress made. Staff indicated this response would be prepared for ratification at the February meeting.
• The $3.6 million in State Capital Improvement (SKIP) funds received by the town was not reflected in this audit, as those funds have been deferred until they are spent.

2023 Meeting and Holiday Schedule The board considered adopting the official schedule of board meetings, fall leaf pickup dates, and town holidays for 2023.

• The schedule reflects regular board meetings on the second Tuesday of each month and fall pickup on the second Wednesday of each month.
• The board approved the schedule. The schedule will be posted to the town's website.

ARPA Revenue Replacement Funding Staff presented a recommendation for how to allocate the town's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, totaling approximately $1.2 million received in two installments in June 2021 and June 2022.

• Staff recommended using a portion of ARPA funds to cover the cost of the recently delivered backhoe (approximately $13,460), and redirecting the funds previously budgeted for the backhoe to offset costs related to employee raises approved at the December meeting.
• This required amending the special grant project budget ordinance previously approved by the board. The board approved the budget amendment.

Town Manager's Report The Town Manager provided updates on several ongoing projects and town operations.

• Town Hall will be closed Monday, January 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Garbage pickup for that week will be delayed by one day.
• The new electronic water meter installation project is nearing completion, with approximately 1,500 meters installed. A few hundred additional meters are awaiting delivery. The project, funded entirely through state direct allocations, is valued at nearly $1 million.
• The Boulder Court road project is nearing completion, with the roadway expected to reopen within 60 days. Additional unanticipated work was required to stabilize a compromised area of the storm system.
• Renovations at the town lodge are continuing, with final county permits expected soon.
• The town reported its quarterly SKIP fund expenditures to the state, totaling approximately $190,000 spent on lodge renovations, sidewalk engineering research, and other engineering reports.
• The Ranlo Police Department responded to 7,244 calls for service in 2022.

Community Events and Recreation Commissioners and staff discussed potential community programming for 2023.

• A commissioner requested that the town advertise for youth recreational baseball/softball sign-ups to give families an opportunity to participate, even if interest has been limited in recent years. Staff agreed to post sign-up information on Facebook with a set registration window.
• Staff proposed planning a summer event series (Miltown Nights) beginning in May or June, with a special celebration on or around July 29 to mark Ranlo's 60th anniversary of incorporation. Plans include fireworks, amusement rides, live music, and a possible fall festival.

Community Food Assistance Discussion A commissioner raised the issue of food insecurity in Ranlo, noting that approximately 15.6% of residents live at or below the poverty line — higher than Gaston County's overall rate of 13.6%.

• The commissioner proposed exploring a town-supported food pantry, potentially using the unused concession stand facility to store donated canned goods and other food items so residents in need could access them in a dignified way.
• Staff noted strong community support for similar efforts in the past, referencing a holiday food box distribution coordinated through Kenneth Falls Ministry, during which over 300 boxes were delivered. A commissioner was credited with coordinating that effort through her community connections.
• Another commissioner noted that his church already operates a food pantry ministry on the fourth Wednesday of each month and promotes it through local social media.