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Thursday, June 22, 2017 Meets For One Hour Weekly To Pray For Your Child, Their School And Teachers To Find Out How To Join Or Start A Group Log On To:
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Volume 83 • Issue 25
News from a neighbor!
Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street. –Lamentations 2:19
Thursday, June 22, 2017
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Mt. Holly council approves Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The Mt. Holly city council got together last week and tackled an eclectic blend of subjects including approval of the municipality's FY2017-2018 budget. “I am extremely glad that our City Council saw fit to adopt the budget for fiscal year 2017-2018. It’s very rewarding to see that a collaborative effort between our Governing Board and staff can lend itself to a productive byproduct, which is a budget that will achieve the objective of responsibly operating the city in the coming year. I am personally grateful to all of the people, including our citizens, that are so supportive of the very tool that helps to provide the services that are expected and needed in our city.” says Danny Jackson, City Manager. The balanced budget will keep the current property tax rate stable at 53 cents on every $100 of valuation. City employees will receive a three percent cost of living raise. The water/ sewer rates will remain the same. The overall budget is $17,255,817. The budget will allow several new positions to be added to the city staff. These include HR Tech, Accounting/Finance Tech, Garage Tech, Part-time CSI Investigator, Utilities/Engineer manager, and turning a current part-time with benefits post in Parks and Rec into full-time.
Other FY2017-2018 budget highlights include: Total General Fund $10,863,000 representing a 7 percent increase from last fiscal year's adjusted budget. Part of the new budget will be set aside in anticipation of a 24 percent increase in employee medical insurance. Last year's increase was 1.86 percent. Police capital improvement include purchase of three new SUVs, one new in-car camera video system, and three handheld radios for a total of $99,500. Fire dept. capital expenses will include new radios at $17,000, replacement air packs at $45,000, and UTV at $17,000. The budget includes an allowance of $12,000 to repair the parking lot at the Municipal Complex. Another $70,000 is slated for construction of six new offices, $28,600 for 350 refuse and 250 recycling containers, and $15,000 for a new zero turn mower, walk behind mower, and weed eaters. Parks and Rec will get $20,000 for a new truck. The total enterprise fund is $6,392,817. Another aspect of the council meeting was the introduction of three local beauty pageant winners- Miss Mt. Holly Allison Farris, Miss Mt. Holly Outstanding Teen Chloe Clary, and Carolina Princess Jasmine Mennis. The girls gave some details on their “platforms” and service projects and expressed gratitude and delight at being able to represent Mt. Holly at
Miss Mt. Holly Allison Farris and her colleagues Carolina Princess Jasmine Mennis and Miss Mt. Holly Outstanding Teen Chloe Clary attended last week's Mt. Holly city council meeting. They will be in Raleigh this week for the Miss NC pageant. Photo by Alan Hodge See MT HOLLY COUNCIL page 3
Popular Belmont policeman retires By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Cpl. Ed “Deuce” Mason, one of Belmont PD's most popular and visible officers, retired June 1 after nearly nine years on the force. During his time as a Belmont policeman, Mason worked hard to further the aim of positive community law enforcement. He was a familiar sight on the streets of Belmont greeting folks and doing his job. “Corporal Mason is an asset to the City of Belmont,” said chief Chad Hawkins. “He has been a true servant to the citizens of Belmont and I know that will continue. Everyone in this community knows and respects him. We are fortunate to keep him on as a Reserve Officer.” Mason's burly exterior belies his deeply caring personality. “I have some great memories of my time helping people as an officer,” Mason said. “ I especially liked talking to people about safety and security and how to avoid scams.” Mason was recognized several times for his service. In 2011 he was named Optimist Cpl. Ed “Deuce” Mason retires from Belmont Police Dept. Photo by Alan Hodge
Abbey Road it's not, but lunchtime and weekends brings droves of cars and pedestrians to downtown Belmont. The city is examining a wide range of options to help folks find parking. Photo by Alan Hodge
City of Belmont addressing parking challenges by Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Business trade and after hours activities in downtown Belmont are booming which means more and more folks are looking for places to park their vehicles and the city is See ED MASON page 2 working hard to make sure everyone can find
THIS WEEK’S ADS SEE PAGES 18 & 19
a spot with the least amount of angst possible. The City of Belmont's downtown activities director Vicky Davis recently completed a downtown parking survey and study and steps are being taken to implement parking allocation improvements based on the research findings. See PARKING page 3
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