New dump truck, additional firefighter, more: Black Mountain budget talks continue

Black Mountain continued budget talks for the next fiscal year at a budget workshop meeting March 28. 

Town Manager Josh Harrold led the meeting while department heads from the Public Works, Recreation and Parks and Fire departments presented their requested budgets. 

Public Works Director Jamey Matthews said the administrative side of the department remains largely the same, with the addition of a $54,745.63 increase in salaries. This increase is due to Matthews' request to create an assistant director position in the department. The salary for this position comes from allocated funds, meaning the full salary comes from multiple line items in the budget. The total salary would start at $70,000. 

"The past five years I've been trying to train somebody in-house to take my job when the time comes for me to retire and move out, and I feel like I've done a very good job and the person has done a very good job also," Matthews said. "We've also grown so much that it's really getting hard to do everything." 

Matthews said it would not only be a help to him, but an asset to the town. 

The buildings and grounds budget saw a $49,600 decrease in contract services because the town will no longer contract leaf removal. There was also a $62,000 decrease in sanitation for contract services. Matthews said this is because the department is now fully staffed and no longer needs to contract out when the department is short-staffed. 

Matthews said one of his goals when he started at the department was to create three supervisors leading three groups of four employees who rotate through all public works departments. He said completing the implementation of this is the reason for a $123,408.09 increase in salaries for the streets and highways department. This number also accounts for creating two new positions and unfreezing the hiring of an additional two positions.

The budget Matthews presented asked for $323,300 in capital outlay for vehicles to purchase a dump truck for $150,000. A bucket truck also need to be purchased and will cost $175,000. Matthews said the current truck is constantly in need of repairs and the town often borrows the town of Montreat's bucket truck when needed. The remaining funds would go to purchasing a pickup vehicle. 

"I'm aware we probably won't get some of this stuff," Matthews said. "But if you don't know we need it, then you just don't know. I just want to put it on your radar." 

Recreation and Parks Director Josh Henderson presented his budget, with his big asks being to install cameras at the Grey Eagle arena and to replace turf in the arena. 

"We've accomplished a lot in the last two years," Henderson said. "I'm pretty proud of where we're at, what we've been able to do. There's not going to be a whole lot of changes in my budget this year. The biggest thing I'm asking for is to finish what we've started." 

The turf at Grey Eagle is currently 18 years old, and Henderson said it is time for it to be replaced. 

Cameras were installed at the pool, and Henderson said they have been helpful in being able to hold those who rent the spaces accountable when there is damage to the property. 

Henderson said the cost for the turf and cameras would be around $195,000. 

He also asked for an increase in part time salaries as programs in the department grow and need more staff to operate. 

Fire Chief John Coffey presented the fire budget, asking for a $462,874 increase in salaries. He said there is a need for one more firefighter per shift, along with a professional development coordinator and public educator. Adding the extra person per shift would bring the total staff to 28 full-time with eight firefighters per shift. 

The department is also in need of an increase of $26,962.79 for non-capital equipment and furniture that will, in part, be used to purchase hose. A 50-foot section of the hose costs $425, and there is a 200 foot minimum. 

“I don’t have any wants,” Coffey said. “The community has needs.”

The next budget workshop meeting will be April 11 at 8:30 a.m. in Town Hall. 

More:New police cars? More library funding? Black Mountain budget talks begin.