The 2015 Municipal Election will be held in November. One-Stop Voting and Absentee by Mail Voting have been offered in the past by the Town at a cost of approximately $1,000.00. Mrs. Cynthia Shaw, Director of Bladen County Elections confirmed that 44 residents of the Town of White Lake utilized the One-Stop Voting and 3 residents utilized the Absentee by Mail Voting during the last election. Mrs. Shaw advised that the Town of Tar Heel and East Arcadia have opted out of both forms of voting due to the high cost compared to the number of citizens using the service.
Municipalities that participate in the absentee voting will absorb the cost for providing these services for those units who choose not to participate. Mrs. Shaw notified Mayor Womble that N.C.G.S. 163-227.2 and G.S. 163-302 provides that any municipality has the right by resolution to opt out of One-Stop and Mail Absentee voting; however, if the Town chooses to opt out of One Stop Voting, it would also have to opt out of Absentee by Mail Voting. It should be noted that if the Town opts out of these programs; the Town will not conduct any absentee functions including one-stop voting and absentee by mail voting. Curbside voting will still be available.
No action was taken, therefore the Town will continue to offer One-Stop Voting and Absentee by Ballot voting.
In administrative matters, Council approved Utility Releases ($515.15), Tax Release(s) and ($60.19); approved Bladen County/White Lake Fire Department Funding & Mutual Aid Agreement; approved the Police Department to participate in the NC Crime Prevention and Crime Control Grant process and the Lexipol Agreement as presented; authorized deposits and withdrawals from BB&T and First Bank as needed to effect a smooth transition.
Council approved a resolution proclaiming May 10 through May 16, 2015 as National Police Week. Mayor Womble noted that “it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities and sacrifices of the Police Department. Police Chief Bruce Smith and his officers are to be commended for the splendid job they do in safeguarding life and property for the Town of White Lake.” Police Chief Smith recently received a letter of recognition on Officer Blake Bryan for assisting a family on his day off.
In other business, at the April 14, 2015 meeting the Board approved First Bank as the Town’s Depository for public funds effective July 01, 2015. Council authorized deposits and withdrawals from BB&T and First Bank as needed to effect a smooth transition.
Mark Vander Borgh Environmental Biologist with the Division of Water Resources notified Krsiten Woodruff with the North Carolina State Parks that the Division of Water Quality will start a water quality sampling of the lake water on May 7th.
Fire Chief Brennan asked the Board to join HGACBuy through a Resolution/Interlocal Contract for Cooperative Purchasing Agreement to allow for purchases to be made through a competitive bidding group purchasing program, which is a formally organized program that offers competitively obtained purchasing services at discount prices to two or more public agencies. This agreement, which is used by several North Carolina governments, will also allow the Town to purchase multiple items, such as police and fire equipment, sanitation equipment, etc. at a much more competitive rate. The agreement works very similarly to the State Contracting procedures and is approved by the LGC. Council approved a Resolution/Interlocal Contract for Cooperative Purchasing Agreement as presented.
Mayor Womble shared with the Council information regarding Senate Bill 477 , which would approve the sale of the former Bladen County Correctional Center property. The bill was originally introduced as a proposal to protect state monuments. The language of the bill changed while in the Senate Committee on State and Local Government, and emerged with the intent to sell the vacant correctional center property to Bladen County to be used as a training area for law enforcement, fire and EMS crews and to store emergency response equipment. A stipulation mentioned in the bill mandates that the sale will take place as long as the property is “utilized for county government purposes”.
The 37th Annual White Lake Water Festival will be held May 15 – 16, 2015. The parade will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10:00 A.M.
In accordance with the FY 2015/16 Calendar of Budget Activities adopted by the Board on February 10, 2015 the proposed 2015/16 budget will be forwarded to the Budget Committee next week. The Board adjourned tonight’s meeting to a budget workshop on May 26th to review and discuss the proposed budget.
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