Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and James R. Johnson, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Patricia Diver, Accountant, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of May 5, 2003. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $338,105.14.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that Mr. McMullen from Sultana had a request to the Town to fire cannons at the Tea Party Festival on Saturday, May 24, 2003 between 2p.m. and 4 p.m. Mr. Clark moved to allow the firing of cannons as specified in the request, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced and read into the record Ordinance #4-03 Election Procedures for Town of Chestertown Elections. Mr. Ingersoll said the Town did not have a specific ordinance in place for elections at this time and there were only references in the Charter. He said this Ordinance gave reference to the Charter in items 1-3 and described the Town’s power by the Charter. He said the next part of the Ordinance referred to State law for elections to be followed if there was no Town Charter guidance. Mr. Ingersoll stated this would be the first reading and the Ordinance would be published in the paper. Mayor Bailey said that the Ordinance would not be enacted until Mr. Bristoll returned.

Mr. Ingersoll introduced and read into the record Ordinance #3-03 Budget for Fiscal Year 2003-04. Mr. Ingersoll stated it was the decision of the Council to have a $.02 increase in taxes this year. Town property was planned to be sold and the fourth of July celebration would be amended. The final park design and engineering for the Chestertown Park would be done along with $20,000.00 of street repaving.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there would be a public hearing on the budget on June 2, 2003. He showed charts, which described revenues to the Town. He also listed the total expenditures of the Town by department.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the total revenue, excluding grants, was $1,984,925.00. Grants from the State and the County amounted to $405,655.00 for total Town revenues of $2,390,580.00. He said expenses from general operating were $2,012,046.00. Capital expenditures were $326,238.00 and capital debt service was $52,296.00 for a balanced budget of expenditures of $2,390,580.00. Details were available and would be reviewed at the public hearing in June.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there were four other budgets in the enterprise funds. They were Satterfield Court and Cannon Street Apartments, the Visitors Center, and the Utilities Budget. Satterfield Court and Cannon Street Apartments, and the Visitors Center had balanced budgets.

Ms. Diver went over the total operating revenues for the Utilities Department. Without grants or loans their revenues were $1,174,077.00. Grants from the State for the water and sewer upgrades were $123,750.00 and water project construction loan was $1.5 million, with a total grant and loans amounting to $1,623,750.00. The total utilities revenue was $2,797,827.00. Expenses for operating were $758,722.00 and capital expenditures were $1,892,542.00. Total expenses were $2,899,117.00. Depreciation funded $101,290.00 of the Utilities expenses.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was $101,290.00 funded by depreciation and over the past two years was unable to avoid.

Mr. Ingersoll complimented Ms. Diver for her work on the budget and the work she has done preparing for the GAPP laws that were going into effect in fiscal year 2004.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that in preparation for the Tea Party, the street crew would be out mowing anything above two inches along and around the parade route. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that she would like to see people remove any trash from their front yards in preparation for Tea Party.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Tea Party Cocktail Party would be held on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. and it benefited the Tea Party.

There being no further business, Mrs. Mumford-Pautz made a motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m., was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor