Granite Falls holds public hearings, makes budget amendments

GRANITE FALLS — During its regular meeting on Monday, September 16, the Granite Falls Town Council held public hearings, special introductions, and modified the town budget. The Monday, October 7, was cancelled, so the next Granite Falls Town Council meeting will take place on Monday, October 21.

The council began the proceedings with an introduction of new Granite Falls police record specialist Ashley Hodge.

Information on taxes and expenditures was shared in the town's Preliminary Financial Summary Report.

Through a memo to the council, town planner Greg Wilson noted that the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management released its 2024 estimate for Granite Falls' population, which has increased by 12 from 2023's 5,088 to 5,100.

The principals of Dudley Shoals Elementary, Granite Falls Elementary and Granite Falls Middle Schools used enrollment data to estimate the distribution of ABC funds for the 2024-2025 school year. Dudley Shoals is set to receive 28% of the funding and Granite Falls Middle and Elementary are each set to receive 36% of the funds. The council approved the distribution percentages.

The town adopted a resolution to declare the week of October 6-12 to be Public Power Week in Granite Falls and October 8 to be Customer Appreciation Day. "The Town of Granite Falls has owned its electrical distribution system since 1921," said the town. "The electric system is an asset to the community that contributes to the well-being of our citizens by providing safe and reliable power, excellent customer service and economic development opportunities."

The council adopted some minor changes Caldwell County made to its animal enforcement ordinances.

The town renewed a contract with Compliance Training Associates to serve as safety consultants until September 30, 2025, at the cost of $8,500. The organization has served in this role for 9 years.

The first of three public hearings discussed the annexation of of the land on which Coffey Furniture is built. The town approved the measure.

The second public hearing discussed a text zoning amendment that would allow for accessory dwelling units to be built on residential property. The town temporarily postponed the hearing until October 21 awaiting additional options for forward movement from the town planner.

A third hearing was held regarding a text amendment to "reduce the required minimum front yard setbacks on waterfront lots" to allow for more flexibility in solving difficult building problems unique to waterfront lots.

A charge was issued to tax collector Katilyn Parlier to collect 2024 "ad valorem" taxes amounting $2,230,417.45, a 1.59% increase from the 2023 charge.

The town made a budget amendment to account for a $1,169,321 credit from North Carolina Municipal Power Agency number 1.

The town discussed adopting definitive outdoor hours for its town parks to allow for more effective prosecution of vandals and trespassers on town property. The town established new hours for:

* The Town Square, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. year round.

* Shuford Recreation Center (outdoors), from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round.

* Neighborhood Park, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April 1 to October 31 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 1 to March 31.

* Lakeside Park, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April 1 to October 31 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 1 to March 31.

* The Boat Landing Area, 24 hours per day.

The town council heard reports from council committees, in which ongoing efforts were discussed regarding leaks that have been appearing in the area. Town manager Daniel Cobb said the town was working to repair the leaks on a case-by-case basis, starting with the largest leaks.

The council ended the meeting in a closed session.