Town of Hudson issues proclamations and recognitions, hears draft budget

May 22—HUDSON — At its regular board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 21, the town of Hudson issued a number of resolutions and special recognitions, and presented the fiscal year 2025 annual budget for the town.

The town issued a resolution to support a planning grant application to assess the viability of building a trail connecting municipalities of Caldwell County along existing rail lines. The grant must be supported by all involved municipalities, and requires matching funds of $3,575, which the town of Hudson has committed to providing.

The town of Hudson was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association of the US and Canada's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its financial report for the fiscal year of 2023. According to a news release by the GFOA, the award is the highest form of recognition in the are of governmental accounting and financial reporting, issued to the Hudson report for meeting the program's high standards, including "demonstrating a constructive 'spirit of full disclosure' to clearly communicate its financial story."

The board issued a pair of special recognitions, the first recognizing the week of May 12-18 as National Police Week, asserting that "it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of Hudson Police Department recognize their duty to serve our citizens by safeguarding life and property," according to the proclamation.

The second special recognition was for National Public Works Week, May 19-25. As the proclamation read, "these infrastructure, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are employees at all levels of government, and are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our Town's streets, storm water systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens."

The town issued a resolution opposing Charlotte Water's request for an interbasin transfer modification, which if granted would allow for an additional 30 million gallons per day to be transferred from the Catawba River basin. The board of commissioners cited negative impacts on economic growth this modification could have if granted.

The fiscal year 2025 draft budget was presented by town manager Jonathan Greer. Here are some of the highlights:

— The total balanced budget amounts to $4,759,696 with personnel costs of $2,610,885 and operating costs of $2,148,811.

— The tax rate remains at $0.43. It has not changed since 2017.

— There will be no sanitation fee increase.

— Full time town employees will se a 3% cost of living adjustment.

— The town will see a 3.4% increase in its costs for Health insurance premiums.

— Capital expenditures will include 3 new police vehicles, public works equipment, upgrades and maintenance to the HUB Station, a new mower, and renovations to a Redwood Park picnic shelter.

— The budget sets aside $87,000 for street resurfacing.

— The town will be creating a new part-time administrative assistant position for the HUB Station.

— The town will be implementing a finance and tax software upgrade.

Greer said that a full copy of the budget presentation will be made available online.