Local News – Thursday, January 19th, 2023

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a public hearing and special meeting Wednesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the public hearing concerning the 1% sales tax increase, two people from the county, John McIntyre and Robert Gravely, understand the city’s predicament of needing additional funds caused from higher utility peak demands to increased cost in local services. McIntyre said up east they consolidated services between municipalities to save money and suggested that happen with the city and county police, while Gravely said the city leaders need to do a better job of getting the public involved and educated as to why this sales tax increase is needed and how it will help them in the future. The public hearing was then closed and Bill #3532 was read that would create an ordinance calling for the election of citizens allowing the city to issue sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of $4,630,000 for the purpose of extending and improving the City’s sewerage system, including acquiring land and rights of way. The board approved the bill unanimously. The bonds and interest will be paid solely from revenues derived from the operations and maintenance of the sewerage system. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the total cost of the project to reduce the TMDL levels in Spring Creek in Phase A & B is $9,512,000, and the city was awarded a $5,000,000 ARPA Fund grant leaving the bond amount at $4,630,000 which includes unanticipated construction and material costs. Assuming the bond passes, the city would apply for an additional grant of $2,000,000 from the state revolving fund and another $750,000 from a CDBG grant. This would leave $1,880,000 of bond financing. If the bond does not pass, the entire $4,630,000 would have to be paid for through sewer rate increases. Bill #3533 was then read that would create an ordinance submitted to the electors of the City of Salem to impose a General Sales Tax of one percent (1%) for General Revenue in addition to the current one percent (1%) already charged by the city for General Revenue at the General Municipal Election to be held April 4th. The board approved the bill unanimously. Sales tax collections are the primary revenue stream for the City’s General Revenue Fund which supports the main governmental operations of the City including administration and police. This tax would greatly reduce the amount of transfers from the utility funds to General Revenue and help to increase reserves in those utility funds. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said the city would be providing a page on their website explaining the proposed sales tax, providing pertinent information as well as some videos explaining why it is needed. Alderwoman Kala Sisco said people need to educate themselves on the facts and not be swayed by social media rhetoric. She said if you have questions, ask your alderman or contact city administrator Sally Burbridge and get the facts, not rumors or opinions. Mayor Greg Parker said this board is looking to stabilize the city financially and move it forward. He said the board is not looking at the past, they are looking at the future of the town and want it to grow and prosper. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Salem R-80 Boardroom. After the approval of the agenda, the Board will move into Executive Session to consider student issues, approve closed session minutes, and consider attendance appeals. The Board will then move into open session where they will have a student recognition and approve the consent agenda. After hearing of communications, the Board will hear the Superintendent’s report with Dr. Lynne Reed and Dr. Nathan Wills followed by the reports from the principal of the William Lynch Elementary School, the upper elementary school, the middle school and the senior high. There will also be reports on athletics and activities, Special Education, and from the Instructional Coaches. In new business, the board will consider a recreational trails grant, discuss a Dent County Hazard Mitigation Resolution, approve a billing method for tuition, approve a bond resolution and approve the location for the Construction Trades Building. The regular Board meeting will then adjourn and move into Executive Session. The regular meeting Thursday evening will be open to the public.

At the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night, the board came out of closed session after the regular meeting where board chairman Mike Swyers resigned his position as chairman but will remain on the board of directors. An election for a new board chairman was then held and A. J Seay was elected chairman by a 3-2 vote. The board then went back into closed session.