LAURINBURG — The Laurinburg City Council is expected to vote on next year’s proposed budget tonight.
The public hearing will be held at 303 W. Church Street at 7 p.m. at Laurinburg City Council chambers.
The budget, presented by City Manager Charles Nichols, totals just over $32 million. Under the plan, the city’s property tax rate would remain at 40 cents per $100 valuation.
The proposed budget includes adding several new positions — a public information officer and Main Street program coordinator, an IT and fiber director and two additional police officers. There would also be $100 Christmas bonus for all employees as well as a three percent cost of living increase.
In a related matter, the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport Commission will ask council to sign off on its 2017-2018 budget. The commission is also seeking the city authorization on the sale of a 1.72 acre tract of land at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport to William J. Martin for $26,500.
Laurinburg’s new budget must be approved by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
In other business, council will consider a request for a $250,000 contribution to the Scotland County Economic Development Corporation for a land purchase.
Council will also consider a request to close Atkinson to S. Main streets and West Church to Fairly streets on Aug. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. for National Night Out.
Council will hear from several delegations, including Nuekie Aku Apata with Sister City with Tema, Ghana. Apata will ask the board to consider a resolution to endorse the efforts of the Laurinburg-Tema Sister Cities Steering Committee.
Jed Hohl and Gabe Berntson with Integrated Development Group plan to speak with council and seek an adjustment on the water bill for 237 S. Main Street. The group is developing several properties in downtown Laurinburg.
Charles Williams has ask to speak before council to request a refund for his sewer bill.
Mayor Matthew Block plans to give a report on the Scotland County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee during the monthly meeting.
Nichols will provide an update on the direction of the Barrett Building after city administrators moved out of the old building and into the newly renovated Sanford Building over the weekend.
Nichols will also ask council to consider a Capital Improvement Plan that allows him to execute service agreements with the Lumber River Council of Governments for management assistance with Wastewater Asset Inventory Grant and the Water Asset Inventory Grant.
Council will also be asked to allow Roche, Head and Associates, and PLLC to conduct an audit of Laurinburg’s fiscal records ending June 30, 2017.