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.

Police Week & Public Works Week Proclamations The Mayor read two proclamations recognizing the contributions of local public safety and public works professionals.

• The week of May 12–18, 2024 was proclaimed Peace Officers Memorial Week, and May 15, 2024 was proclaimed Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The board voted unanimously to approve.
• The week of May 19–25, 2024 was proclaimed National Public Works Week, recognizing the Town of Ranlo's public works professionals for their essential services to the community. The board voted unanimously to approve.

Recognition of Medical Center Pharmacy The board recognized a local business for a generous community act.

• After a Ranlo resident's vehicle was stolen — along with their walker — Medical Center Pharmacy, following a conversation with Police Chief Lunsford, donated a replacement walker to the resident at no cost. The board publicly thanked Medical Center Pharmacy for their generosity.

Concession Stand Update Staff reported back on permitting requirements for the town's concession stand, as directed at the previous meeting.

• If the concession stand sells only prepackaged items such as chips, candy, and drinks, no permit is required from Gaston County.
• If any prepared food — such as hot dogs, hamburgers, or chili — is offered, a permit is required. The permit fee is approximately $75, and the facility would be subject to inspections.
• A permitted facility must have a designated certified food manager (Person in Charge) present at all times during operation.
• Private parties using town facilities are not required to have a permit, as long as they are not charging money for food.

T-Ball League & YMCA Corporate Membership Staff provided an update on the upcoming youth sports season and a staff benefit program.

• The Town's T-ball league, run through the YMCA, reached full capacity with a waiting list. Additional teams were added to meet demand. Practice was set to begin the following Tuesday. Age divisions include U5 (T-ball) and U7 (coach pitch).
• Town staff were offered YMCA corporate memberships at a 75% discount. A YMCA representative held an on-site sign-up event at Town Hall. Staff members who missed the event can still sign up online using a Town of Ranlo discount code. Commissioners noted they had not been informed of the sign-up event and requested the information be shared with them as well.

FY 2024–2025 Budget Presentation The Town Manager presented the recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year for public review and consideration ahead of a formal vote at the June meeting.

• The recommended budget is balanced at $5,004,150, consisting of a General Fund of $2,984,200; a Utility Fund of $1,868,950; a Power Bill Fund of $91,000; and a Stormwater Fund of $60,000.
• The budget does not include a property tax rate increase.
• A new patrol officer position is proposed for the Police Department. The town is currently below the International Association of Chiefs of Police staffing standard for officers per resident. This addition is included without a tax increase.
• The budget includes approximately $12,500 for new trash cans, as the town's current inventory is nearly depleted.
• Approximately $13,000 in increased operating costs for the Police Department is included, covering items such as updated firearms, ammunition, and replacement of outdated protective vests.
• Two Rivers Utilities (City of Gastonia) has approved a 7.5% increase in water rates and a 7.5% increase in sewer rates effective July 1, 2024. Because Ranlo purchases water and sewer service from Two Rivers, the town's costs will increase accordingly.
• A rate study conducted by Rural Water found that if the town makes no changes to its water and sewer billing rates, it would face a projected $256,000 annual deficit after five years — and an estimated cumulative deficit of $816,000 over five years when accounting for inflation and depreciation.
• Staff recommended a 3.25% increase in water rates and a 3.25% increase in sewer rates, effective July 1, 2024. This smaller percentage — compared to Two Rivers' 7.5% increase — is appropriate because a full 7.5% increase applied to all billing tiers would generate more revenue than needed to offset the higher costs.
• The water meter connection fee is proposed to increase from $250 to $700 to reflect the higher cost of the town's new smart meters, which were installed using grant funds and allow remote monitoring and shutoff.
• The recommended budget will be available for public review at Ranlo Town Hall and on the town's website. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for the June regular Board of Commissioners meeting, followed by a vote on adoption prior to the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

July Board Meeting Date Change The board considered moving the regularly scheduled July meeting.

• The Town Manager requested that the July meeting be moved from July 11 to July 18 due to a previously scheduled family vacation. A motion was made and seconded to approve the date change. The board voted in favor.

Commissioner Vacancy The board addressed the resignation of Commissioner Jamie Fowler and discussed the process for filling the vacant seat.

• Commissioner Fowler resigned effective May 15, 2024, to relocate to Oklahoma following the passing of his father. The Town Manager read his resignation letter into the public record. A motion to accept the resignation was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously to accept.
• A motion was made to appoint Dian Palmer to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the term. The motion did not receive the necessary majority votes to pass.
• The town attorney advised that while state law and the town charter do not specify a required process for filling a vacancy, the recommended approach under Robert's Rules of Order is a nomination and ballot method. Under this process, interested individuals would notify the Town Manager of their interest, and the board would open nominations at the June meeting, allow candidates to speak briefly, and then vote by ballot.
• The board discussed soliciting candidates between now and the June meeting. One commissioner expressed interest in a specific former board member as a candidate and suggested she be encouraged to attend the June meeting to speak.