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Ena Sellers

Wallace council decides not to move forward with downtown apartment ordinance

WALLACE — During a busy meeting Thursday night, the Wallace Town Council continued its discussion on ground-floor downtown apartments and ultimately decided not to move forward with an ordinance amendment that would have allowed ground-floor apartments in the downtown area.

The item has been on the council’s radar since April, when the council requested that Town Manager Rob Taylor and Planning Director Rod Fritz work on an ordinance amendment that would allow apartments on the ground floor of buildings.

Cameron Lee, planning board chairman, addressed the council and stated that the planning board has reviewed this request three times, and all three times, unanimously recommended denying the request.

Lee stated that the reasons the planning board recommended denial included access to utilities, garbage collection, parking, deliveries, and input from other downtown business owners, as well as other municipalities.

Lee stated that there are currently 39 planned apartments in the central business district (CBD). Allowing ground-floor apartments would bring that total to 59 available apartments, and would include one-story buildings like Family Dollar, Piggly Wiggly and the former A&P.

“I think we’re being a little anxious or impatient about residential development in and around Wallace,” Lee said. “Residential for Wallace is coming. It’s just a matter of getting the infrastructure in place.”

He reiterated that the planning board still recommended denying the request.

“I will say personally, this was very eye opening,” Council Member Jason Davis said.

Taylor then went into detail about what the proposed ordinance amendment would mean, including that all ground-floor apartments be situated at the rear of the building, in order “to preserve the commercial character at street level.” The developer would also have to provide two parking spaces for each apartment, with no parking allowed on Main Street.

“We’d also like them to do a little bit of improvement in the back of the alleys, some green space,” Taylor said.

Mayor Jason Wells stated that his feelings had changed about the proposed downtown apartments. “My problem is a fine line,” he said. “I love the idea of having some sort of ADA compliant apartment downstairs because we don’t have any. But it’s also got to be done the right way. This is so vague, it opens up a lot of places that we know we don’t want this.”

He added that he didn’t see any point in having a public hearing at the next meeting on the issue, because it wasn’t feasible at this time to have downtown ground-floor apartments.

“In my heart of hearts, I believe there’s a way to find ADA-compliant apartments and be able to get them downstairs without at the same time opening up a lot of things we don’t want,” he said. “But this isn’t it.”

2024-25 Budget Adopted

Another major item at the June 13 council meeting was the proposed 2024-25 budget, which included an 8.5% water/sewer rate hike, as well as a $15 fee for vehicles registered within the town limits. The vehicle tax would be added on to customers’ annual DMV tag fees.

The fiscal year 2024-25 budget totals $10.72 million, a 4.89% increase over last year’s budget, TTaylor said. There were no public comments during the public hearing on the budget, but the council discussed the $15 vehicle tax at length.

Council Member Jason Davis said he was still uncomfortable with the vehicle tax. After some consideration, Taylor said that the $15 fee would only generate about $40,000, an amount that could be recouped by financing a needed truck rather than purchasing it outright.

Davis motioned to approve the budget, with the vehicle tax removed and adding in the vehicle financing. His motion passed unanimously.

In other business at the June 13 Wallace Town Council meeting:

  • During the public comment period, Edward Walker, who lives on Bray Street, complained of dozens of potholes on his street, and pointed out that a lot of the town’s streets need to be repaved. Linda Sikes also reported to the board that one of her tenants had their water turned off by the town and were not notified so they called a plumber. She submitted the plumber bill to the town for them to pay. Also during public comment, Sarah Caillar of Wolf Den Court stated that she wanted to make the town aware of discolored water at her house.
  • The council approved a one-year hunting lease for Keith Mote, who requested to rent land at the airport. The lease is for 152.434 acres at a price of $8.50 an acre, totaling $1,295.69.
  • The council approved its interlocal agreement with the town of Teachey for sewer service. The contract is in place for another 10 years.
  • The council agreed to lease the Rose House by Boney Mill Pond for $1,000 a month.
  • A capital project ordinance for road realignment at the airport was approved.
  • The council continued the meeting until June 25 at 6 p.m.
Murphy makes history as chair of first all-female led Board of Governors

Murphy makes history as chair of first all-female led Board of Governors

Duplin County hospitality businesswoman, Wendy Murphy, was recently appointed by the House of Representatives to serve as UNC System Board of Governors Chair, making history as chair-elect of the first all-female led board. She is also the first Duplin resident to hold the prestigious role.

“I’m honored to be elected chair at a time when three women will assume leadership roles as Board officers for the first time in history,” Murphy told Duplin Journal in an email. “This is a critical moment for higher education, and I’m blessed to serve alongside Vice Chair-elect Kellie Hunt Blue and Secretary-elect Pearl Burris Floyd. Together, we have meaningful experience on university boards in North Carolina, and I know we will always keep students at the forefront of our minds when making decisions about the university.”  

Murphy, a native of Rose Hill who currently lives in Wallace, will assume her new role on July 1, She will be taking over the role held by longtime Board of Governors’ chair Randy Ramsey. Murphy, who is serving her second four-year term on the Board of Governors, told Duplin Journal she is hopeful the legislature will appoint her to serve one more four-year term, which will allow her to complete her time as chair. Board of Governors are appointed by the House or Senate and can serve three four-year terms.

Murphy’s immediate goals, as she assumes her new role, are to keep the board’s focus on quality education, student success and affordability.

“These are key themes in our strategic plan, but we also have specific goals that include raising graduation rates, improving campus efficiency, and increasing enrollment of adult and military learners and students from underserved counties. We have an enviable track record of keeping tuition low and lowering student debt – I want to maintain that. And we want to produce more graduates in high-demand fields such as engineering, healthcare and teaching,” said Murphy. 

Murphy, a native of Rose Hill, is a big advocate of approaching literacy standards aggressively and arming future teachers with the correct knowledge and tools to teach students using proven methods. 

“First, all teachers must enter the classroom with a foundation in literacy and the science of reading. That starts with our university’s schools of education, which are the single largest source of teachers in our public schools. For years now, the Board and the state have been focused on early grade literacy, and rightly so, when 68% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading. Science has settled the question on how children learn to read, and it’s vital that we prepare our future teachers to correctly use these methods,” said Murphy, adding that she has been a proponent of attacking literacy standards aggressively. “There are signs that we have begun to make progress, but there’s still a long way to go.” 

 When asked about the challenges that come with her new role, Murphy stated, “It’s easy to be distracted by issues that make headlines – and there are many these days in the world of higher education. But we really have to remain focused on our core of teaching, research and public service. And we must constantly deliver the message to North Carolinians that earning a degree or credential beyond high school is critical for their success and the future of our economy and our society. There is a significant return on investment for students who earn a postsecondary degree at an affordable university, and that’s what we’re all about.” 

 Murphy, who is a former teacher, served on the UNC Wilmington Board of Trustees for 10 years, among other organizations she has served on are Duplin County Education Foundation, Duplin County Community Foundation, Duplin Hospital Board of Directors, and Harrells Christian Academy Board of Directors.

Ambulance driver charged with failure to yield

Ambulance driver charged with failure to yield

A Duplin County ambulance driver was charged with failure to yield after a collision with a commercial tractor-trailer sent several persons to the hospital.

The accident occurred this morning at the intersection of North NC 111 Highway and Sheep Pasture Road in Albertson. According to EMS officials, the Duplin County 911 Center received the call at 7:15 a.m., and dispatched Albertson and Pleasant Grove fire departments, Duplin County EMS, Duplin County Emergency Management and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

“The ambulance was loaded with a patient and was in transit to the hospital without the use of lights or sirens. The driver of the tractor-trailer was ambulatory on the scene,” reported EMS.

According to law enforcement the ambulance driver turned left in front of a commercial tractor-trailer that had a full load of chickens and was not able to stop on time. All persons involved in the accident were evaluated and transported for medical care and there were no life-threatening injuries.

“We had 2 employees who were on the ambulance at the time,” Brandon McMahon, Emergency Medical Services Director told Duplin Journal, adding that both were airlifted to ECU Medical Center in Greenville, and both appear to have non-life threatening injuries. “They both will stay over night for observation.”

 

 

 

Duplin reveals proposed FY 2024-25 budget

Duplin reveals proposed FY 2024-25 budget

KENANSVILLE – County Manager Bryan Miller presented the $103,261,283 proposed FY 2024-25 budget at the June 3 Board of County Commissioners meeting for the board’s review and consideration. 

The total proposed budget increased by 4.5% from last year. The general fund of $69,128,323 reflects an increase of $1.6 million in recommended expenditures with a fund balance appropriation of $3,305,554 and estimated revenues of $65,822,769.  

The general fund highlights a mandatory increase in retirement contributions to 13.66% for all non-sworn law enforcement officers, and 20.04% for sworn law enforcement officers, with 5% of that being a 401k contribution.   

There was a 3% increase to budgeted insurance costs per employee. Miller explained that instead of passing those expenses on to employees, the county absorbed the increase.  

Property tax revenues are estimated to increase about 2.45%. The budget also includes a cost-of-living adjustment, along with recruitment and retention increases for public safety departments, Capital requests of $796,428 and 5% increase to Duplin County Schools’ contributions in the amount of $500,008. 

The contributions from the general fund to Duplin schools have increased by half a million dollars each year for the last three years; school capital requests have also increased by half a million since last fiscal year. 

“The combined contributions have increased close to $1 million,” said Miller. “I think that speaks a lot to the commissioners’ dedication to our children’s education.”   

The biggest changes in general fund revenues are in sales tax revenues, which decreased 5.97% and a significant decrease of 56.57% in the restricted departmental revenues – this is the revenue brought in by building inspections.

There was a 38.18% increase in the other revenue category. This category includes interest earned, rebate received by PCART program, interdepartmental sales, and labor charged monthly to the departments. Departmental revenue increased 18.58% and a 2.51% increase in ad valorem. 

Among the highlights in the general fund expenditures, is an increase of 22.48% in the debt service category, which includes the commons USDA payment of $578,270 and the animal services red leg loan payment of $130,000, said Miller. 

In contributions and transfers there is an increase of 13.51%, this includes the county contributions to the airport fund, capital reserve fund, employee insurance fund, forestry service, local mental health, and local fire departments.   

In the cultural and recreational category there is an increase of 24.23%. This includes the library, parks and rec, event center, and the museum.   

There is an increase of 7.2% in public safety expenditures from. These expenditures include sheriff’s office, jail, EMS, communications, animal services, fire marshal, and emergency management.   

Government expenditures increased 7.55% and that includes all other departments.   

Other funds increased in the following areas:  

  • Emergency Telephone $435,376 increased by $202,401  
  • Capital Reserve-Education $5,261,944 increased by $2,105,672  
  • Enhancement/Preservation $25,000 increased by $4,400  
  • Property Revaluation $478,597 increased by $6,730  
  • Fire Districts $4,270,773 increased by $446,022  
  • Transportation $1,633,767 increased by $238,510  
  • Airport $1,557,449 increased by $94,168  
  • Water Funds $3,782,125 increased by $526,623  

And decreased as follows:  

  • Debt Service $4,706,589 decreased by $2,126  
  • Water Fund – Debt Service $977,063 decreased by $5,656  
  • Solid Waste $4,536,277 decreased by $104,420  
  • Insurance Fund $6,467,000 decreased by $694,150

“Capital requests in the enterprise funds include four vans for transportation, a zero-term board for the airport, and various equipment for solid waste. Northeast fire district rate decreased in 2019 when the revaluation happened. After the flood, a lot of river landings valuations went down. So, Northeast requested to change that rate back then from $0.07 to $0.09 per $100 valuation so the fire department would not lose revenue. Now that the revaluation is about to happen again, there’s a lot of structures that have been rebuilt so the valuations are going to rise. This decrease in the rate will level revenue back to a reasonable amount,” said Miller.   

“This budget preserves our services and recognizes employees as our greatest asset and begins setting the foundation for long-term financial sustainability. The Board of Commissioners’ commitment to resilience, fiscal improvements and long-term sustainability will be the stabilizing factor in our ability to maintain and improve our financial position and weather future storms,” said Miller.  

“The last four years have been plagued by uncertainty and instability caused by the pandemic, inflation, supply chain delays and labor shortages. Navigating these on-going crises has been a team effort and our employees have preserved, through personal sacrifice and dedication, to the citizens of the county, many of which are here tonight, and I just want to say thank you. I cannot thank our employees enough for their hard work and willingness to serve our great county.  

They are truly our greatest asset. Thank you to all the county department heads and leaders and to our finance department for your assistance and dedication in developing this budget under continued pressures and unprecedented circumstances.”  

A second public hearing took place after Miller presented the $1.28 million economic development budget. Chair Dexter Edwards thanked Miller and the staff for their contributions to putting the budget together.  

“Y’all have done a fantastic job on this budget. We reviewed a lot of different items, and your department heads, I think, have worked with you very well. … When you look at all the things that we have happening in the county with growth and expansion, and we are able to present a budget and reward our employees with a little bit of an increase and not raise taxes, that is outstanding,” Edwards concluded. 

Teachey approves budget, puts bite into its pet ordinance

Teachey approves budget, puts bite into its pet ordinance

The Teachey Board of Commissioners approved its budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year at its regular monthly meeting Monday night, June 10, and also continued a discussion from the previous month’s meeting regarding the town’s animal ordinance.

The proposed budget included an increase in water rates of 10% this year, 5% next year and 3% in 2026 for a total increase of 18% over the next three years.

Rates haven’t been increased since 2021, Mayor Bobby Jones said, and the increase is needed to keep up with the cost of living.

“The town of Wallace is going up, and we’re trying to keep it the same for our residents,” said public works director James Parker. “By next year, we should be pretty much even.”

The budget also includes a new town position, public works assistant, which will be open as of July 1.

At last month’s meeting, numerous Teachey residents were on hand to ask for the town’s pet ordinance to be updated, perhaps adding a monetary fine for ordinance violations.

Commissioner Patrick Williams had proposed a $50 fine for violations at the last meeting, and the mayor followed up with County Commissioner Wayne Branch and County Manager Bryan Miller on how the ordinance might be enforced.

“They said in order to amend their ordinance, they would not move the needle on service for our town unless there was a fee for service or a monthly contract that we would pay for that service,” Jones reported, adding that the town would need to amend the county’s ordinance so that livestock such as cows, chicken or pigs would be prohibited inside the town limits.

Commissioner Wanda Henderson asked if the county is set up to handle enforcing the ordinance for the town. The mayor responded that there are two new county employees that could possibly help respond to issues within Teachey, if the town decides to go that route.

“In the meantime, I think we still need to adopt a fine for each complaint, while that process is being handled with the county,” Jones said. “Because at least we’d be doing something proactive to try to mitigate the issue while this whole red tape process is happening.”

Commissioner Jamie Moore, Jr. stated that he felt any complaints should come before the board so that the fine “has some teeth to it.”

Ezzell advised the board that there has to be validation to any complaints about pets that come in, so that the town won’t be going on hearsay when issuing fines.

Parker said that currently there is no form for a complainant to sign; instead, he issues work orders for each complaint. Ezzell stated that the person in violation of the ordinance should be notified by a town representative in order for the fine to be valid.

The commissioners finally decided that the town should send a warning before a $50 fine is issued, and ensure that a town representative has validated the complaint. The motion was approved unanimously.

“I think the citizens are going to be pleased to know that we moved on this pretty quickly,” Jones said.

New town clerk/finance officer Morgan Jacobs was also sworn in during the June meeting.

In other business at the June meeting, the board:

  • Voted unanimously to extend the contract for sewer services with the town of Wallace for another 10 years, making it valid through September 2034.
  • Decided against purchasing solar-powered speed limit signs and agreed to install speed bumps in problem areas of town instead. Mayor Jones said that he felt speed bumps would neutralize the situation more than the flashing speed limit signs. Town Attorney Joseph Ezzell advised the board to notify everyone on the streets in which speed bumps will be going in, to ensure that all affected citizens are aware.
  • Approved a resolution directing the town clerk to investigate a petition for annexation for the Mill Creek project. A public hearing will be held at the next meeting, on July 8.
  • Learned about a Juneteenth festival and parade, scheduled for June 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Warsaw residents express frustration with proposed budget allocations

Warsaw residents express frustration with proposed budget allocations

WARSAW — There was a full house at the Warsaw Board of Commissioners held on June 10, as Town Manager Lea Turner presented the proposed FY 2024-25 budget.

Among the highlights for the proposed budget is a 5% cost of living adjustment for all full-time employees, a 10% increase for water/sewer user rates, and increases in the recreation fee schedule. 

“There are no outstanding loans at this time. Our taxes remain at $0.57 per $100 valuation. We have an estimated taxation of $226,441,939. This is an anticipated collection rate of 97%. The only changes to the fee schedule were a 10% increase to water and sewer funds for sewer revenue due to inflation costs,” ,” said Turner, explaining that they need to continue making their debt service payment and also need to begin a capital improvement fund for capital expenses.

Residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the increase on water/sewer rates adding that the services they are receiving are below standard. 

Angela B. Mainor expressed her dissatisfaction with the proposed recreation fee schedule, adding that charging $120 per hour to rent a place, and $350 to rent the kitchen was outrageous. “You won’t have nobody to rent the place anymore.”

Mayor A.J. Connors explained that these funds are to help whenever repairs are needed. Residents also disagreed with the proposed 5% salary increase.

Marzella Morrisey voiced concerns that the budget allocated for Dream Works ($268,850), who is contracted by the town, was higher than the budget allocated for the town’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“We’re overlooking the things necessary for the people of Warsaw,” said Morrisey, questioning how a contracted service is allocated more funding than the Parks and Recreation Department, emphasizing that the department needs funding to repair a park that has been in terrible conditions for a while. She also questioned the proposed raise.

“On this floor last year, without even looking at your budget, you gave everybody a $5,000 increase across the board… Now this year, Duke Energy increased my light bill and every citizen’s in Warsaw, and that was the kind of message that was delivered to us – that all of these increases are happening, and so, everybody needs a 5% increase… The town budget that our manager has proposed to us is not for the people of Warsaw. The population in Warsaw is at least 74% seniors on a fixed income, and we don’t make that kind of money to pay for all the increases that you all are asking for,” said Morrisey.

“The employees of this town work diligently to do what we ask them to do, whether it’s to clean up a dead animal off the side of the road … or whether it’s to be at a scene where somebody has been shot … the reality is these individuals that work for this town work hard. I’ve seen it, I’ve been there, they’ve been out in the snow, they’re out in the rain, whether it’s lightning, thunder, they’re out there doing the job that many of us know we would not want to do. So when they’re only getting a 5% raise this year that’s not a terrible thing,” said Mayor Connors in response to the complaints.

Morrisey insisted that she felt the citizens’ needs were not taken into consideration when the proposed budget was put together.

“I would not come before you guys if you all were serving the citizens of Warsaw to the best of your ability. But I’ve been here a long time and I’ve been coming to all the town’s meetings over a period of almost 20 years. I have notes, minutes, all the minutes, and I’ve seen minutes change from month to month and all kinds of issues… I don’t see you going in the right direction, because you’re not really serving the citizens,” said Morrisey.

“I say that 5% increase is not necessary when you’ve got to increase things for citizens of Warsaw who can hardly afford to eat. It’s not. It’s not the young folk that own food stamps that are going to those food banks.”

Commissioner Ebony Wills-Wells recommended for the board to revisit the budget. After some discussion, the board scheduled a meeting for another budget workshop to be held June 18 at 6 p.m.

In other business:

Mike Barnette with McDavid Associates conducted a public hearing to share information about the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure contract to repair Well # 3. The $3 million grant will enable the town to renovate the well located on North  Gum Street, and will put it back in operation. It will add a filter train to the existing water treatment plant, which is at 144 Pumphouse Lane, and it will construct approximately 7,400 linear feet of raw water line to connect that well to the treatment plant according to Barnette.

The board appointed Al Searles to fill in the seat left by the late Commissioner Russell Eason. He will be sworn in at the next board meeting and will serve until the municipal elections in July 2025.

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