The town’s Board of Commissioners voted this week to approve a request amending the Police Department budget to allow a current part-time officer to become full time.
The action was requested by Myra Tyndall, Maxton’s former finance director and now financial consultant. Tyndall told board members that without the amendment, the Police Department would exceed its budget for the current fiscal year.
According to Police Chief Tammy Deese, her department employs eight full-time officers, three contract deputies, and two part-time officers.
The budget amendment of $40,000, which includes adjusting each of the budget line items for full-time and part-time employees by $20,000, calls for making one of the current two part-time officers full-time. No additional officers are being hired.
Deese, during her report to the board, also announced that she has promoted two of her veteran officers. Jamie Oxendine, who has been employed by the Maxton Police Department for 17 years, is now a captain, and William Davis, a Maxton police officer for more than 10 years, is now a lieutenant.
In other business:
— Angela Pitchford, the town’s interim manager, told board members that she is moving to strictly enforce the collection of town taxes. She said she is using all collection methods at her disposal, including foreclosure and garnishment.
Pitchford did not have the exact number available, but said that the town has “quite a few” property owners who have not paid their taxes. Last year’s total tax collection rate was 84 percent, Pitchford said, well below the state average of about 97 percent.
— Pitchford said that the town is still having to dispose of leaves and limbs at the landfill in Scotland County. The Maxton landfill had to close last month because its state operating permit expired. The town is currently in the process of reapplying for the permit.
Having to use the landfill in Scotland County is costing the town approximately $4,000 a month.
— The board tabled making appointments to the town’s Housing Authority and Library boards until next month.
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