[0:20] First, we do have to look at the agenda because there is an adjustment to be

[0:24] made. Um, we are just going to be rescheduling that public hearing on

[0:29] four. So, that'll be a rescheduling of that public hearing on four. We're going

[0:35] to move it back to make sure that all the proper notices are given out and we

[0:39] We have more time to look over to ourselves just in case there is any tees

[0:43] to cross and eyes to dot. Okay. Are we doing the first meeting or second? Well,

[0:50] we we will talk about that when we get down to it. Okay. Rock and roll. Rock

[0:53] and roll. All right. So, with that uh amendment to the agenda. Do I have a

[0:59] motion to approve the agenda we have before us? So, move. Second. Second.

[1:03] Councilman. All those in favor? I. We have ourselves a fantastic agenda.

[1:09] business items. Budget amendment number eight. Good afternoon, council and

[1:14] mayor. Um before you is budget amendment number eight, which is the final budget

[1:19] amendment for this current fiscal year. Um it is coming to you right before the

[1:24] close, which is June 30th to give you the most accurate numbers we can. Um

[1:28] final budget amendment comes with close out. um getting those final numbers for

[1:32] each line item and then balancing it pretty much to get your revenues and

[1:36] expenses out to zero for the fiscal year. Um and that's what you'll see

[1:39] before you where you see increases and decreases in order to balance the budget

[1:43] in each department. This is to give you the most accurate number we could before

[1:47] June 30th. Obviously, we're still conducting business between today and

[1:51] June 30th. There will be some final numbers to give you in August. However,

[1:55] this is as close as we can get it to you so you are up to date and can approve

[1:58] that final budget amendment. And just to make folks aware of how that

[2:03] works as far as what we're looking at, these are very basic transactional

[2:08] functions that we're looking at in this budget amendment. Nothing of any

[2:11] surprise except for daily business that needs to be closed up before the end of

[2:16] the year so that all of the accurate reporting can be done to our beautiful

[2:21] state of North Carolina. All right. Do I have a motion to approve

[2:27] budget amendment number eight? Some moved. Second. Any discussion?

[2:33] All those in favor?

[2:38] Is that a Is that a nay? I was that I I. So, we've got unanimously approving

[2:43] budget number eight as we close out our fiscal year. And then next, we got to

[2:50] talk a little bit about wave funding. Good afternoon, council. Um, we've been

[2:57] talking about way finding for what about three years now? Um, sir, we've been

[3:02] talking longer, but actually been been moving forward. I think the original

[3:06] signs went up two years ago. So, um, I'm calling this

[3:11] uh update two slash3, I guess you say. Um

[3:17] did a good job finding how how much we could spend um of our reserve funds. Um

[3:23] and we've took that budget and looked at priorities. Um and we can get about one

[3:28] and a half of the entire project in um this year. So what we're looking at is a

[3:35] uh to relocate the norolic sign to the 100 block of North Pollock. That sign

[3:41] continue to get hit over and over and over and over.

[3:44] It was just a bad positioning to start with. Um, and that'll also be refaced.

[3:49] One thing I learned through this process is we can't advertise a

[3:56] a business. We can't say the root. We can say entertainment. And how that got

[4:00] through DOT approval, I'm not sure. We can't say from the ashes, but we can say

[4:05] dining. We can't even say. That's right. We won't even say that would be meeting

[4:10] gathering type things. So, we'll be refacing some of those. Um, We're

[4:13] looking at a new small um gateway sign at the corner of Rford and Wel, what I

[4:19] call what most calls auto parks or red and white um parking lot. Um

[4:26] that'll be the exact same sign we have. It's just on a a slower street, they

[4:30] shrink a little bit. So, um that'll be really good. We're looking at a new

[4:34] gateway sign. I am so sorry. They should say way

[4:39] finding, not gateway. road in South P and the new small

[4:44] gateway sign at Rford. I'm sorry that was my fault. Okay. Um you can proofread

[4:49] three times and you'll still mess it up. Yeah, that's those are those those are

[4:51] wayinding signs. Okay. So, new wayfinding sign at Rick and South

[4:55] Pollock. Three new way finding signs at 70 and 78. And basically that is the

[5:01] Eastfield entrance. When you're there or you're leaving, how can we get to your

[5:05] downtown? um reface some signs that were in uh

[5:11] advertising exact locations uh and businesses at 70 and Ricks in that area.

[5:16] There's three signs right there. Um a gateway sign, which I did write that one

[5:20] right at exit 98. When you get off, you when you come to the bottom of that exit

[5:25] ramp, you'll be looking at our gateway sign, our beautiful gateway sign, and uh

[5:30] then a gateway sign at South Pollock entering town. And then the vinyl that

[5:35] is down print shop right here at Anderson redoing that that

[5:40] um dog can you get the next one. This is a uh some cool dude made this

[5:47] that wasn't me made this map and we zoomed it in a little bit but and I know

[5:52] it's kind of hard to see but your orange circles are what we said were first

[5:56] priority and we're going to be able to get through first all of first and a

[6:00] little bit of second priority. So we probably got about

[6:06] two more years to finish this project. I say we, you know, we got to build

[6:09] reserves back up. Um, so that's where we're at. Bear in mind,

[6:16] I think mentioning finishing the project, particularly when it comes to

[6:19] areas like Buffalo Road. Um, there's significant work that will be done to

[6:23] Buffalo Road before we can upgrade signage. And I think those really most

[6:30] probably the most important ones first.

[6:35] I think staff and with is it ACSM ACSM and and DOT they they kind of looked at

[6:41] the areas that would be most advantageous based on

[6:46] what what what you're you're looking at now is the entire plan and obviously we

[6:52] start we what can we do for you know this this amount of money um we're

[6:57] looking now at the entire plan we'll know when we got a dollar where we send

[7:01] a

[7:05] Do we have any questions about

[7:09] rock and roll? Thank you. I do want to add just for transparency um not fear

[7:14] that we are depleting our general fund reserves for this project. We are not

[7:18] when we say reserve balance we're talking about tourism dollars that have

[7:21] been saved years and years that we are finally able to use just

[7:26] very cool tourism. Anybody ask you what the Johnson County

[7:31] Wizard does? Tell them about those tourism dollars.

[7:36] All right. Public hearings and appeals. We are

[7:40] going to reschedule that hearing related to what chapter is that 12. Mayor, I

[7:45] apologize. Do we need a motion to approve that way finding project? It

[7:48] would probably be better for the record. No, because I don't want us locked into

[7:52] it until we get going. We need to actually look at some signage. Make sure

[7:56] we have some eyes on some more details. This is the first step. Maybe uh next

[8:00] month through August we have some deeper conversation. I don't think necessary.

[8:05] Um chapter 12, we need to reschedu that public hearing again to cross the tees

[8:11] and dot the eyes for what day is that in August? That will be August 12th, 2025

[8:17] at 6 p.m. in the summer building. August 12th, 2025 at 6 pm in this journ

[8:24] building. Uh that will be council meeting two for the southern town

[8:28] council. So we're just going to go that right everybody good there. All right.

[8:34] And once a year over the last three years I have uh given a state of the

[8:40] town address to just kind of give everybody an overview of where we've

[8:44] come from and and where we are. Um and and this year doing a little different

[8:49] doing it as part of a a public meeting. make sure we have it on the record that

[8:53] this is happening. And then what we'll do is we'll actually make a video with

[8:57] this state of the town address as well. It'll have, you know, your images of the

[9:03] town, some some viewing of things that are actually happening in real time here

[9:07] and have this narrative with it as well. So after a civil war,

[9:16] the state of the town address 2025.

[9:23] The town of Selma has changed. We are realizing the vision laid out by the

[9:29] Selma Town Council in early 2023. As we move into uncharted territory in

[9:36] Johnston County, our community is getting better every year, and we are

[9:42] not looking back. The standards for our community have

[9:46] gone up. Raising the bar requires effort from every stakeholder, town staff,

[9:51] residents, and business owners alike to maintain a vibrant and thriving

[9:56] community. and improved culture and high

[10:00] expectations have taken our sum operations to a higher level.

[10:04] With success comes increased and welcomed attention

[10:13] to someone North Carolina. As we become a center of commerce and

[10:18] industry, our focus now is on maintaining a rural

[10:22] life and urban amenity balance rarely achieved in growing communities.

[10:29] I am honored to report this to you. The town of Selma is flourishing.

[10:37] Selma is ready and able to face the challenges of growth while not only

[10:41] meeting but exceeding the needs of our taxpayers.

[10:47] We have built a culture of excellence. Our vision, the town of S pursues a

[10:55] first class quality of life. an innovative, proactive, and inviting

[11:00] community that is building on our tradition as a transportation crossroads

[11:05] and railroad town. Approaching our vision would not be

[11:09] possible without the support of our United States Congressional

[11:12] Representatives, our North Carolina General Assembly representatives, and

[11:17] our Johnston County Commissioners. Former Congressman Wally Nickel gave our

[11:22] s police department significant support through federal funing to vastly

[11:27] improved our safety operations. Our county has proved

[11:32] provided significant infrastructure and technical support as we work to grow

[11:38] into a central commercial and industrial hub of our region.

[11:43] The North Carolina State General Assembly, Senator Venton S,

[11:47] Representative Larry Strickland really moved the needle for the town of S by

[11:54] providing community changing investment from the state of North Carolina.

[12:02] As we work with our community partners and neighbors, we will continue to make

[12:06] the best of those investments to maintain a community that all who visit

[12:11] and all who stay can enjoy. The financial report from our federal

[12:18] and state stakeholders reminds us of our obligation to make financial

[12:22] responsibility a top priority in the town's home.

[12:28] Over the last four and a half fiscal years, we have made significant strides

[12:33] to improve our town's financial health. Our town regularly spent more money than

[12:38] it took in from FY16 to FY19.

[12:43] Between FY19 and FY24, the town of Selma's general fund balance

[12:48] has increased by $2.8 million. Our fund balance continues to increase

[12:57] every year since 2019. An even more important financial

[13:01] indicator is our town of Selma net position.

[13:07] The net position of a government is a statement of assets and liabilities that

[13:11] shows the financial health of a community at a specific point in time

[13:15] over a period of time. From FY15 to FY19,

[13:21] our net position in dollars decreased steadily from 19.2 million to 13

[13:28] million. From FY19 to FY24, our net position

[13:35] increased from 13 million to approximately 36

[13:41] million. That is a $23 million increase in net

[13:47] position over five fiscal years. This result shows the town of Selma

[13:55] Finance operations continued commitment to financial stewardship.

[14:01] Our financial well-being is crit critical to meet the challenges and

[14:05] opportunities that will continue to arrive in our community.

[14:10] We are all clearly witnessing the regeneration and expansion of Selma,

[14:17] North Carolina. Town services must develop and improve

[14:22] constantly to keep up with an everchanging environment.

[14:26] The new reality at exit 97, exit 98 on I95, and exit 333, and exit 334 on I42

[14:38] includes a revitalized historic downtown offering authentic and new businesses,

[14:44] burgeoning shopping locations along US301,

[14:48] an ever improving US70 outlet center drive corridor,

[14:54] restored and new homes throughout our neighborhoods and a firstofits-kind

[14:59] shopping in Johnston County called Eastville.

[15:05] To support the awesome steadily coming to this community, we still have a

[15:09] significant amount of infrastructure work to do. The expansion of our water

[15:14] system is underway. The repair of our sewer system is happening as I speak.

[15:20] We are taking steps to manage one of our toughest challenges, town road repair.

[15:25] almost daily. We continue significant road work this

[15:29] year with our water, sewer, and storm water pipe improvement.

[15:34] We must continue to upgrade our aging road system going forward beyond what

[15:39] power bill funding provides the town of Selma.

[15:44] Overcoming smaller operational challenges like timely paper utility

[15:48] billing are just as important to our well-being.

[15:54] To support the awesome steadily coming to this community. Our operations must

[15:59] be amazing. Our government must be agile and

[16:03] responsive to navigate this new environment.

[16:07] Our public services, including water, sewer, public works, and electric are

[16:11] becoming more reliable and more efficient every day.

[16:16] We have a sanitation operation that makes it so you can almost now set your

[16:22] watch to your trash pickup. We still have the greatest fire

[16:27] department in Johnston County. And I am willing to put our folks up

[16:31] against any fire department. Parks and Recreation is planning and

[16:37] executing bigger, better, and more events each year while giving our folks,

[16:42] young, old, and in between opportunities to active all year.

[16:48] Code enforcement is really happening in the town of Zel.

[16:52] I know it is happening because I hear quite a bit from those who have been

[16:55] fined for code enforcement violations. You can see cleaner streets

[17:02] and cleaner properties because of the combined efforts of our town

[17:07] departments. As we improve our facilities and

[17:11] procedures for all of these operations, we will continue to more polish

[17:16] performance from our town staff.

[17:21] I must highlight our summer police department in the talk about our

[17:25] impressive staff. To feel safe in one's own town, own

[17:31] neighborhood, own home is paramount. It is a luxury that not every community

[17:38] is afforded and it is one that we can never again

[17:42] take for granted. Our investment in improved police equipment

[17:47] and take a take-home car program for our officers is paying off. While our police

[17:53] call volume has gone up, our overall sense of peace and safety throughout

[17:58] this community has increased as well. Of course, our financial investment is a

[18:03] small piece of the success pie when compared to the effort our Selma Police

[18:08] Department has put into increased patrol and enforcement.

[18:13] Beyond that, we have a police department that cares.

[18:18] Passing out ice pops to kids around Selma on a hot day. Venturing into

[18:23] Smithville to unlock a car with the keys locked inside for a Selma resident.

[18:31] Following up on criminals that have negatively affected our citizens to give

[18:35] some peace of mind are not things that the average police department does.

[18:43] One of our police officers took it upon himself to push a wheelchairbound

[18:47] resident carrying groceries for several blocks from the store to their home in

[18:54] this year's summer heat. That is top-notch care in the community.

[19:02] We are serious in Selma, North Carolina. Safety comes first and we will invest in

[19:09] our safety. With our endeavors in safety,

[19:13] infrastructure, and culture, we have gone beyond the improving stage.

[19:18] We are now excelling in the town of Zel. Our community is on a mission.

[19:26] Our mission, the town of Zelma, strives to provide an outstanding small town

[19:32] experience coupled with the amenities of an economic hub for industry,

[19:36] technology, and commerce by delivering exceptional services to our citizens and

[19:43] community stakeholders. Achieving that mission is creating an

[19:48] atmosphere that will drive the economic engine of Selma, North Carolina to

[19:51] unite. The energy and excitement at the

[19:54] crossroads of tradition and innovation right now is undeniable.

[20:00] We must stay on this hard road of success. We are realizing our unlimited

[20:06] potential. The town of Selma is flourishing.

[20:11] Let's keep going. Thank you all. Thank you council for

[20:16] your support. Thank you staff for the hard work. Thank you citizens for all

[20:21] that you do to maintain a beautiful community. God bless Selma, North

[20:26] Carolina, Johnston County, the state of North Carolina, and the United States of

[20:31] America. Thank you.

[20:36] With that, do I have a motion to adjurnn? So move.

[20:41] Second. All those in favor?

Special Council Meeting 06/27/2025

Transcript