Hope Mills’ commissioners will kick off 2024 by hearing several presentations and approving budget amendments at the board’s 7 p.m. meeting Monday at Town Hall.
Audit presentation
Jay Sharpe from Sharpe Patel PLLC will be making a presentation to the board of his audit of the town’s financial statements from the fiscal year 2022-2023.
Once the report is approved by the Local Government Commission, the town is going to submit the audit report for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
The audit committee will be meeting before the Board of Commissioners’ Monday meeting in the Front Conference room in the Hope Mills Town Hall at 6 p.m.
Cumberland County Community Development presentation
Cumberland County Community Development will be providing information about various housing programs and other activities they are offering to Hope Mills residents through the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program.
There are currently 239 CCCD projects in Hope Mills. Of those projects, 97 are emergency repair or minor rehab and 72 projects are housing rehabilitation.
There are also five affordable housing projects with CCCD HOME funds: Crosswinds I, Crosswinds II, Golfview, Legion Crossing and Legion Manor.
Consent agenda
The board will also be asked to approve several resolutions through the consent agenda, including authorizing a budget amendment to approve the increase of the cost of living adjustment (COLA). The board unanimously approved increasing the COLA from 1.75% to 2.5% during their last meeting on Dec. 18. The budget for fiscal year 2023-24, which was approved in June, had previously set the COLA at 1.75%. This increase will cost the town $77,650. The town hopes to get the money from the Sales Tax Distribution account in the budget.
The board will also consider approving an increase in notary costs to $10. Currently, it is set at $5. The maximum fee that a notary may charge for notarial acts in North Carolina is $10.
Other business
The board will also be discussing temporarily removing the two-year reapplication requirement. According to the Rules and Procedures, individuals in all positions determined by the Board of Commissioners shall serve two years.
The board will also be making two proclamations. One will be for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 15 and the other is in recognition of Hope Mills School Choice Week, which takes place from Jan. 21 to Jan. 27.
The interim town manager will be updating the board on local construction projects of commercial businesses and residential areas, as well as upcoming events the town is helping to put on for the community.
Before hearing the interim town manager's report, the board will go into a closed session, regarding attorney-client privilege and personnel matters.
Contact Hannah Lee at hannahleenews@gmail.com.
