Dilling HEATING & COOLING A higher degree of trust and dependability
704.739.3446 Residential & Commercial Service Serving Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Surrounding Counties since 1955.
Volume 131 • Issue 23
Indoor Air Quality Assesments • New Installations
Servicing All Brands
A Family Owned & Operated Business
kmherald.com • 704-739-7496
June 5, 2019
75¢
Graduation section & Baccalaureate photos inside
City Council approves $46M budget, no tax increase, employee raises By unancents per $100 of assessed imous vote valuation of taxable propKings Mounerty and no increase in tain City Counany services except sanicil approved a tation – 5 percent to pay $46,027,665 increased landfill charges budget for from Cleveland County fiscal year and recycling charges from 2019-20 last Republic. Tuesday and MARILYN SELLERS The budget highlights for the second presented by Sellers inyear a 2 ½ percent cost-of- cluded: living adjustment for employ. No electric base rate inees. crease City Manager Marilyn . Yes, electric rate deSellers presented the pro- crease – average of 10.8% posed budget which also which was reflected on March included no property tax in- 2019 utility bills to customcrease which remains at 43 ers.
. No natural gas rate increase . No water rate increase . No wastewater rate increase . No Stormwater rate increase . No increase in health insurance premiums for employees. Sellers said city contributions for employee retirement benefits will increase per state mandate from 7.25% to 8.95% and law enforcement from 8.25% to 9.70%. The budget includes funds for 263 employees including elected officials, full-
time, part-time, seasonal and paid volunteers. The total debt service for all funds is $2,736,165. Capital outlay in the budget includes general fund $862,000; water/ sewer $860,000; natural gas $439,000; and electric $975,500. Capital outlay for all departments totals $3,136,500 with $2,565, 650 (82 percent being paid from internal revenues and $570,850 (18%) being financed LPA’s. Sellers said the budget focuses on approved goals that support the mayor and city council priorities which are
economic development and public safety. The city is welcoming nine new employees: two telecommunicators, two K9 officers, one communications/marketing director (budget includes salary for ½ year to be hired in January 2020); one special events coordinator; and three firefighters. Sellers said, “My sincere thanks to the mayor and council for their support and commitment in planning and conducting the financial operations of the city in a responsible manner. I am proud to say that Kings Mountain
continues to take progressive strides and together we have a strong team of visionaries working closely together to build a better future.’’ Sellers continued, “I also want to thank my management team, especially Finance Director Chris Costner, for their assistance in preparing this budget and for the teamwork that makes all our accomplishments and growth possible. I want to reiterate that our employees are our greatest asset and Kings Mountain is fortunate to have the very best.”
Jill Cruise (right) presents scholarships to (L-R): Joshua Bolin, Ashlee Anthony, Kaylon Wade, Sarah Wright, Jessie Oehler, Georgia Moss, and Daniel Moore. Photo by Gary Smart
Big money for KMHS Class of 2019 Kings Mountain High School seniors in the Class of 2019 have won $2,61l,673.00 in scholarships. The awards were presented Thursday night at Senior Awards Night at B. N. Barnes Auditorium. John Harmon Melton received the award from American Legion Post 155 as the Outstanding Senior Boy and Natalie Lutz won the award as
the Outstanding Senior Girl. Georgia Moss was winner of the Kiwanis Good Citizen Award and Frankie Webster won the Ralph Schussler Award. The Distinguished Service Mountie Award went to Gary Smart Sr. Kaleb Estridge won a $80,000 scholarship to North Carolina State University. Many students won scholarships to colleges and universities. SALES FLYERS INSIDE: • CVS • Food Lion • Ingles • Dunham Sports
Many students will join various branches of the military. Sixty-two seniors participated in graduation exercises at Cleveland Community College May 10. Joshua Bolin received his Associate in Arts degree and will enroll in college this fall as a junior. Sixty-one seniors received certificates in various programs. A total of 159 seniors earned Work Keys certificates. A full list of scholarships and awards is on 13-A in today’s Herald.
For Dental Implants Locally Here In Kings Mountain
Baker Dental Care Preventative, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
Bipartisan Voter ID accommodations approved by NC General Assembly Bipartisan legislation amending the deadline and criteria for the State Board of Elections to approve voter identification cards received final approval by a 109-6 vote of the North Carolina House of Representatives on Tuesday. The legislation is anticipated to facilitate increased voting access for students using college-issued identifications across the state. In 2018 North Carolinians approved a constitutional amendment establishing voter ID in the state’s elections. Enabling legislation subsequently passed by the state General Assembly allowed a range of qualifying cards, as well as signed affidavits asserting a reasonable impediment to obtaining an identification, for voters to cast their ballots. North Carolina’s voter ID law accommodates religious objectors, provides for free government-issued IDs and accepts drivers’ licenses, passports, military and veteran IDs, student IDs, voter ID cards, as well as state and local government IDs. Drivers’ licenses from other states would even qualify in some circumstances.
House Bill 646 ID Approval/Flex Municipal One-Stop extends the date for universities, private and community colleges, charter schools, and state and local government entities to have their identification cards approved for voting from March 15 to November 15, 2019. The bill also clarifies that for the 2020 elections, identification cards for those entities may not be denied approval by the State Board See VOTER ID, Page 11A
Just a few benefits of Dental Implants: • Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. • Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures might slip. • Improved self-esteem. Smile again and feel better about yourself. • Durable. Implants are very durable and with proper care, can last a lifetime. To find out more about Dental Implants and schedule your next appointment
call us at 704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com