Green Level Council reviews FY 2024–25 draft budget, weighs permit and trash fees

The Green Level Town Council reviewed a draft FY 2024–2025 budget at its April 29 meeting and directed staff to prepare a revised draft for the council’s May 9 session.

Will Boney, the town’s CPA, told the council it has a copy of last year’s budget and said he does not expect overall revenue to change materially as staff prepares the new draft. Mayor Remonia Enoch asked whether revenue from permit fees might rise now that a moratorium has ended and many renovations are underway; Boney said permit-application revenue has typically been below $2,000 a year.

Councilmembers and staff discussed several possible revenue and expense moves. Mayor Pro‑Tem Patricia Jones and Councilmember Michael Trollinger asked that the town publish information about the permit process in the newsletter and update the website; Trollinger suggested including any new fee schedule with water bills once the council finalizes it. Town Administrator Barrett Brown said the town had converted some bank accounts to money market accounts and that grant funds already allocated should be shown as grant revenue in the budget draft.

Trollinger pressed whether residents are charged for garbage service. Brown said regular trash pickup is not billed to residents but that there is a nominal $5 recycling fee; Boney said that $5 fee covers about one‑fifth of the town’s trash‑collection cost. Trollinger said adding a separate trash or recycling fee would be an alternative to raising property taxes or water rates as the town seeks to maintain adequate maintenance funding.

Staff described recent and requested equipment purchases. Brown said the town purchased a boom truck so Public Works can perform bulk and brush pickup at no additional charge to residents. The council discussed potential needs for a new or repaired salt truck, and Brown said Parks & Recreation requested a multi‑seat golf cart to transport residents with mobility challenges during events; Trollinger suggested grant funds could cover that purchase and Mayor Enoch said she would raise the item with the Capital Management Project Committee for a recommendation to the council.

The council also discussed employee pay. Brown asked for direction on raises; members said a 3% merit‑based increase, similar to last year’s approach, would ensure performance is rewarded.

Councilmember Stephanie Enoch moved to adjourn; Councilmember Michael Trollinger seconded. The motion passed unanimously and Mayor Pro‑Tem Patricia Jones adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m.

The council scheduled a revised budget draft to be presented at its May 9, 2024 regular meeting.