CHERAW – After briefly discussing the 2009-10 budget at the May 12 meeting, council decided to table the issue for some changes. Mayor Scott Hunter’s requested to meet the following morning to discuss some necessary concerns before the first reading of the budget.

Several changes are reflected in this year’s budget.

Manpower levels:

A decrease of one employee per department in the Police, Public Utility and Public Works Departments is reflected in the budget.

The Cheraw Fire Dept. budget reflects the full salary for a new firefighter that was approved also in last year’s budget, but not for employees hired after Jan. 2009. Several department salary line items also reflect the retirement of certain employees who retired during the year and might have been replaced with entry-level personnel.

A hiring freeze will be in effect for all departments and all positions that may be available during the budget year. Potential jobs will be brought before Hunter and council before a decision is made to advertise for the job. According to the new provision, the freeze will last from July 1, 2009 through Jan. 1, 2010. At that time, Hunter and council members will review the policy and determine if it needs to remain active or eliminated.

Town Administrator’s car allowance:

The vehicle allowance for Cheraw’s Town Administrator Bill Taylor will now be reduced to .40 cents per mile and that he should first check the availability of town vehicles when needing to conduct any business matters for the town.

Conventions, travel and lodging:

No funds were budgeted for Town Council and Administrator to attend conferences during this fiscal year. Any employees who need professional development and courses for certification only will remain in the proposed budget.

Councilman Randy Butler voiced his concerns regarding Taylor’s travel expenses and receiving $585 per month for travel expenses, while other employees are reimbursed for their travel.

“We have an ordinance set in place that provides guidelines for use of personal vehicles for town business,” Butler said. “Giving Taylor an allotment of $6,000 violates that ordinance.”

Last year, Taylor’s travel allowance was $7,000. In the 2009-10 budget, Taylor’s travel expenses will be $6,000.

Butler also added that the town has vehicles that Taylor could use while conducting business for Cheraw.

Councilman Fred Harris recommended that all travel expenses be cut except for the meetings that pertain to an employee’s job.

The decision was to allow town employees to attend only the necessary meetings next year, which were narrowed down to four:

•Business license conference

•Clerk and treasurer institute

•Elected officials institute

•Human resource conference

Hunter said that only he and Butler will attend the elected officials institute and he is willing to pay for his own registration.

Councilwoman Jacqueline Ellerbe-Shannon shared her views on attending the Rural Summit this year in Dillon.

“It would be a day trip from Cheraw and by attending, it could benefit the town,” Ellerbe-Shannon said. “If we are going to spend money to promote the town in other ways, then it would make sense to take advantage of t he Rural Summit.”

In other business:

•Hunter also presented a proclamation to recognize May as Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month. Chesterfield County Coordinating Council executive director Margaret Plettinger-Mitchell spoke to council about statistics on teen pregnancy across the state.

• A resolution was made to name Cheraw as a Preserve America Community. Communities may apply to be specially designated as a preserve America Community, which recognizes communities that protect and celebrate their heritage and to use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization. It also encourages people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs. The benefits of designation include White House recognition, a certificate of recognition, a Preserve America Community road sign, eligibility for Preserve America grants; authorization to use the Preserve America logo on signs, flags, banners, and promotional materials, a listing in a Web-based Preserve America Community directory, national and regional press releases and enhanced community visibility and pride.