Call to Order
The Be1haven Town Council met in budget workshop session on Monday, May 12 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Dr. Charles O. Boyette called the workshop to order with the following Council members present: Albert Baker, George R. Ebron, Jr., Cynthia M. Heath and James B. Hodges. Councilwoman Linda E. Wilkerson was not present. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson and Town Clerk Marie J. Adams were also present.

Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2003/2004
Town Manager Johnson presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2003/2004 Budget to the Mayor and Town Council. Town Manager Johnson stated that the proposed budget had no increases proposed in property taxes, water and sewer rates, electric rates and no permit fee increases.

General Fund Summary
Town Manager Johnson summarized the General Fund Revenues and Expenditures by stating the following: Revenues - some increase in the tax evaluation, due to growth - $20,000; iriterest on investments is less due to lower interest rates; Expenditures - no increases of any significance except in salaries and benefits, due to insurance increases up to 22%.

General Fund Special Appropriations - Summary and Discussion
Town Manager Johnson gave the following review and budget requests and proposed budget figures based on the amounts funded last year for each line item.

Senior Center (10-690-083)
Councilman Ebron suggested that the Senior Center be increased due to the possibility of the Senior Center hosting programs (four times each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas_ Easter and Mother's Day) with the inclusion of those seniors at Pungo Village, suggesting that the Senior Center should be more diverse of race. Some discussion included Mayor Pro- Tem Ebron and perhaps Mayor Boyette meeting with Mid East Commission (who fund the Senior Center) administrators concerning the inclusion of Pungo Village Seniors. Council agreed.

JAW Center (10-690-085)
There was some discussion concerning the support of the JAW Center with their proposed arts room which would be funded with the $6,084 requested. Councilman Hodges suggested funding as the program should be given a chance. Council agreed.

Belhaven Pantego Rotary - Boy Scouts (10-690-086)
There was discussion support the Boy Scouts as they utilized a building donated by Beaufort County (former Health Department Building) and utilities are paid by their sponsor the Belhaven/Pantego Rotary. Following some discussion, Council agreed to support the Boy Scouts by proposing funds for utilities not to exceed $1,200.

Miscellaneous Special Appropriations
There was some discussion concerning the Chamber Request of $10,000 with suggested $5,000 (same as last year) and the Boys and Girls Club Request of $8,000 with suggested $7,000. Council discussed that should the chamber need additional monies $1,800 could be utilized if the Celebrations Committee, formed through the Chamber, will sponsor the Christmas Parade as this $1,800 was budgeted for the Christmas Parade. There was also some discussion concerning the Boys and Girls club, their recent appropriation of $34,000.00 and the lack of communication as to their programs and attendance, therefore, appropriation was proposed the s8J:!le as the prior year.

Water and Sewer Revenue and Expenditures
Town Manager Johnson stated no increase in fees proposed dueto impact fees collected set-off increase. Expenditures for this enterprise fund include employee fringe benefit increase due to insurance and increase in supplies due to the cost of chemicals to treat water through the new reverse osmosis Water Plant.

Electric Revenue and Expenditures
Town Manager Johnson stated that no electric increase was proposed at this time and warned the Council that an electric rate increase may be forthcoming followiD.g proposed increases to the Town this fall/winter. Town Manager Johnson stated that with the Electric being an enterprise fund increase may be made in the fiscal year, if needed.

Cemetery Fund
Town Manager Johnson stated no real changes in revenues or expenditures.

Overview
Town Manager Johnson stated that he was to increase the proposed budget by $9,284 in the Special Appropriations as suggested and asked should the increasrbe obtained from fund balance or a .02 increase in property taxes. The consensus of the'Council was that the $9,284 . should come from fund balance. Total General Fund $2,093,546.00; Electric Fund. $2,440,960.00; Water and Sewer $927,975.00 and Cemetery $5,700 with a total proposed budget of$5,468,181.00.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Boyette declared the meeting adjourned at 9: 15 P.M.