Smithfield Council gets a "homework" assignment from Town Manager Scott

Councilman Travis Scott (no relation to the town manager) mentioned employee retention, electrical "load management," and Equity Drive repairs (more on that in a related item below).

Councilman David Barbour emphasized employee compensation. "I'd rather pay people what they ought to be paid" ahead of funding capital requests, he said. Other items on his mind were identifying and acquiring land for future parks, constructing a new pavilion on the Town Commons, and adding sidewalks to Wilson's Mills Road.

Councilman Emery Ashley wants to "finalize our plan" to improve Smith-Collins Park and move more aggressively to replace the town's aging infrastructure. "Safety of our water" is a major concern, and "pipes have a lot to do with that," he said.

Mayor Andy Moore emphasized residential development. "Builders are looking at this area," he noted; "we need to do our part" to attract them to Smithfield.

Councilman John Dunn asked about the town's progress in replacing old electricity meters with "smart meters" that more accurately track power consumption by customers. Public Utilities Director Ted Credle said "we're two-thirds done" with residential conversion. Changing out commercial meters will follow "in the next year or so," he said; "that's when we get greater benefits."

REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL

Beyond the capital-budget items, heads of three departments put in requests for staff additions:

Police Chief Keith Powell wants four more police officers. The first year's cost of salaries, benefits, and equipment for the four totals $299,500. This request, the chief said, would restore positions that were cut several years ago when the town's fund balance dropped to an alarmingly low level. Presently, he noted, the Police Department has 41 positions, including 24 patrol officers who provide coverage "24/7" with six officers on duty at any time.

Fire Chief John Blanton wants six more firefighters and a full-time administrative assistant. Total first-year cost of providing those positions would be $344,700. Materials in today's new homes and businesses are "requiring us to get there faster with more people" when a fire breaks out, he said. Today's building materials "burn faster" than materials used in the past, he noted.

Finance Director Greg Siler wants to hire an assistant finance director whose duties would include learning the jobs of everyone else in his office for backup in case of unexpected absenteeism. That's especially important in handling customer billings and complaints, he noted. First-year cost of that position: $71,000.

How all of those requests "shake out" in the coming year's budget starts with presentation of the town manager's proposed budget early next month followed by Town Council decisions on specific requests --- and what the town's property-tax rate will be following countywide real-estate revaluation.



WHAT ABOUT REPAIRS TO EQUITY DRIVE?

Town Manager Scott said he has talked with hotel owners and other business operators about means of paying for badly needed improvements to the street that loops off Outlet Center Drive. He reported "no interest" among them for shouldering the bill beyond town taxes they already pay.

Mr. Scott said the cost of repairing Equity Drive, adding curbs and gutters, and building a sidewalk on one side of the street is estimated to run about $1 million.