Norman works to balance their budget

NORMAN — In order to help balance their yearly budget, Norman Town Council decided this week to put $10,000 into a certificate of deposit (CD).

“If we don’t balance the budget, it’s going to look bad on us like we already know,” Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Cranford said. “If we have the money, why not go ahead and put it in there and balance it, instead of giving it to the county?”

A CD is a savings account that typically has a fixed interest rate which customers agree to not make any withdrawals from for a specific amount of time. Norman’s fund balance is $24,000 as a result of their decision.

Council members agreed that they had already “chopped” the budget last year.

They decided to cut a few months from their maintenance upkeep and saved $600. Group maintenance will now start in April and run through October. A few members discussed cutting funds to the fire department and the rescue squad, but those will remain the same.

A few Norman council members will be meeting with Richmond County Commissioner Andy Grooms and Chairman Jeff Smart this upcoming Tuesday, May 11.

Town Clerk Glenda McInnis said she will not submit the budget until after their Tuesday meeting.

Added to unit assistance list

McInnis received a letter from Raleigh stating that Norman had been placed on the Local Government Commission’s unit assistance list, which is used to help the Commission track governments with fiscal management concerns. Norman, just like every other municipality in the county, was added to the list because of the LGC’s concern stemming from the county’s decision to change the sales tax distribution method to ad valorem. This county decision caused Norman to lose 100% of its sales tax revenue to the county, and since the passing of April 30, ad valorem is here to stay for at least another year.

The LGC gave Norman, the county and the other municipalities until May 17 to submit a draft budget for review.

Pallet business concerns grow

Council members expressed increased frustration with Alfonso Carillo and his wood pallet business. Residents have complained about the safety and visual appearance of the pallets at previous meetings.

Carillo has failed to pay rent for the last two months. He currently owes $3,701.

“We’re having to sweat it every month about the money,” council member Nancy Paxton said.

Collectively, the council decided to draft a notarized letter alerting Carillo that if he fails to make a payment within the week, he will be in breach of contract and given a month to vacate. Concerns were additionally raised about Carillo’s business liability insurance and where culpability lied in case of an accident.

Wrestling postponed

A wrestling tournament, previously scheduled for April 24, was rained out. The makeup date will be May 22.