Richlands residents can comment on the town’s proposed 2015-16 budget during this week’s Board of Aldermen meeting.
A public hearing is slated for Tuesday’s meeting, during which the board could also approve the budget.
The $1,327,150 budget is $81,750 more than last year’s operating budget and includes a new part-time position in the Public Safety Department and $55,000 in capital-item requests. The requests include $25,500 for a 2015 crew-cab truck for the Public Works Department and smaller allotments for new, 800 MHz hand-held radios, body cameras and an AR-15 rifle for public safety, according to the draft budget.
The town will also discuss helping the Revive Downtown Richlands organization hire an event planner to help with the town’s Festival in the Fall. According to information from the town, Onslow County Tourism recommended the organization hire the planner; however, the organization does not have the resources necessary to handle the event logistics and hire a professional staff.
The board has been provided a proposal from Imagine Music Group of Charlotte, which has entertainment specialists and event specialists on staff. The company’s client list currently includes the Town of Davidson, City of Monroe, City of Monroe Parks Recreation, Fayetteville Dogwood Festival and Lexington Barbecue Festival, according to the proposal.
Their service would cost $7,500 for complete planning and coordination of the event, including coordinating logistics, event layout and vendors, soliciting media partners, coordinating, contracting and managing all entertainment and sound production needs, according to the proposal.
The company also proposed designing sponsorship packages and securing sponsorship sales among other sponsorship-related services for 20 percent commission from each sponsorship sold by the company.
The town board is also slated to:
- Approve an agreement which allows them to remain in the NC Small Town Main Street program for another year.
- Approve an agreement that allows Richlands Town Hall to remain a satellite office for ONWASA with ONWASA paying the town $2,916.67 per month for the services. However, ONWASA is able to deduct $16.83 per hour worked by ONWASA personnel in performing any administrative service the town was obligated to perform pursuant to the agreement.
The meeting is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Richlands Town Hall, located at 302 S. Wilmington St.
Leave a Reply