Red Springs public meetings in 2025

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners administered the Oath of Office to newly elected officials Ronnie Patterson, Murray McKeithan, and Ellion McQueen. The meeting included a discussion on required municipal government training for elected officials and a closed session regarding personnel and attorney-client privilege.

• Oath of Office administered to Ronnie Patterson, Murray McKeithan, and Ellion McQueen
• Discussion of Essentials of Municipal Government Course dates for January and February 2026
• Closed session held for Personnel Matters and Attorney Client Privilege

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners approved a Town Code of Ethics and a resolution to voluntarily designate the town as a distressed unit under the Viable Utility Program. The board also discussed a quarterly finance report noting a general fund deficit and approved the surplus of seven police vehicles and two firearms.

• Adopted Town Code of Ethics
• Approved voluntary distressed utility designation
• Approved surplus of 7 police vehicles and 2 firearms
• Approved drainage debris removal in Little Raft Swamp
• Approved 2026 Holiday Schedule

Meeting

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners will meet in a special session to discuss two resolutions. The first resolution would authorize filing an application for a five‑year lease for the town’s fleet agreement under N.C. Statute 160A‑20. The second resolution would authorize filing an application for a five‑year financing agreement for the electric department’s Altec service truck, also under N.C. Statute 160A‑20. The meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room at Town Hall, 217 South Main Street.

• Resolution to authorize filing an application for a five‑year lease for the town’s fleet agreement (NC Statute 160A‑20)
• Resolution to authorize filing an application for a five‑year financing agreement for the electric department’s Altec service truck (NC Statute 160A‑20)

Meeting

At the October 7 meeting the Red Springs Board approved several resolutions, including leasing and financing of fleet vehicles, a proclamation for Public Power Week, and an honorary road name for Bishop Kenneth Monroe. The board also entered agreements for a youth deterrent program, municipal accounting and cybersecurity services, and voted to join the state Viable Utility Program, which could make the town eligible for up to $5 million in funding. Additionally, the board approved a $549.58 credit for a resident’s hot‑water heater issue and adopted a new electricity‑meter‑overread policy.

• Resolution authorizing leasing and financing of fleet vehicles (Items J & K)
• Proclamation recognizing Public Power Week, October 5‑11, 2025
• Resolution to designate a road honoring Bishop Kenneth Monroe
• Agreement with North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center’s Growth Opportunity Program, paying $3,000 per participating youth
• Motion to join the Viable Utility Program, offering up to $5 million in funding

Meeting

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners of Red Springs have called a special meeting for September 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Planning Board Room at Town Hall, 217 South Main Street. The agenda lists a single item: a closed‑session (executive) discussion of personnel matters. No other business is listed.

• Closed‑session (executive) meeting to discuss personnel matters

Meeting

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting to discuss a budget amendment and conduct training. The meeting includes a scheduled executive session.

• Budget Amendment — Town Vehicles #2025-09-04-01
• Closed Session Training

Meeting

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners will meet to review a budget amendment for the Governor’s Crime Commission Grant and receive updates on police salaries. The meeting includes a presentation from Trillium Health and a review of a town vehicle assessment.

• Governor’s Crime Commission Grant Budget Amendment #2025-09-02-01
• Update on Police Salaries
• Police retirements of Former Police Chief and Lt. Sarah Purcell and Sgt. Detective Tammy Lowery
• Town Vehicle Assessment
• Presentation by Trillium Health

The commissioners approved the Red Springs High School Homecoming Twilight Parade for Oct. 16, 2025, and granted a waiver of insurance. They also approved a lease agreement for five additional town vehicles after a 4‑3 vote. A budget amendment was adopted to encumber a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission for youth violence prevention. All procedural motions (agenda, consent agenda, closed/open session, adjournment) passed unanimously.

• Approved Red Springs High School Homecoming Twilight Parade (all in favor)
• Approved lease of five town vehicles (4 votes for, 3 votes opposed, mayor broke tie)
• Approved Budget Amendment #2025-09-02-01 to encumber $200,000 grant (all in favor)
• Approved agenda (all in favor)
• Approved consent agenda for Aug. 5 & 19, 2025 (all in favor)
• Moved to closed session to discuss attorney‑client privilege (all in favor)
• Moved back to open session (all in favor)
• Adjourned meeting (all in favor)

Meeting

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners will meet to consider a tentative award for a water distribution project and a waterway debris removal project. The board will also discuss a budget amendment.

• Tentative Award for Water Distribution System Rehabilitation Project Number SRP-D-0229
• Waterway Debris Removal and Reduction Project for Robeson, Bladen, Hoke, and Scotland Counties
• Budget Amendment 2025-08-19-01

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners approved a salary increase for police officers to remain competitive with neighboring towns. The board also adopted a federal internal control policy and approved a budget amendment for a youth violence grant.

• Approved Budget Amendment #2025-08-01 to increase Youth Violence Prevention Grant total to $25,000
• Voted to increase police salaries to $47,000
• Adopted the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Internal Control Policy
• Discussed leasing 5 additional vehicles for General Fund, Water and Sewer, and Electrical departments
• Reported a General Fund surplus of $800,000

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners decided on a new salary structure for police officers and an ordinance regarding trash can placement. The board also discussed the town's electrical system and adopted several ARPA compliance policies.

• Approved ordinance fining residents $50 if trash cans remain at the curb more than 24 hours after collection
• Adopted police salary step plan with increases ranging from $500 to $1,500 based on years of service
• Approved $35 per pole contract with Electricities for inspection, tagging, and digital mapping
• Appointed Renet McQueen as a Planning Board/Board of Adjustment Alternate (ETJ)
• Adopted ARPA Records Retention, Conflict of Interest, and Allowable Costs policies

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners will hold a recessed meeting to discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

• Discussion of FY 2025-2026 Proposed Budget

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners will hold a recessed meeting to discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2025, at 6:30 pm.

• Discussion of FY 2025-2026 Proposed Budget

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners reviewed budget documents and discussed items such as EMS services, the façade grant program, and a trash penalty ordinance. After the discussion, Commissioner Chris Edmonds moved to recess the meeting and schedule the next meeting for June 25, 2025. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ronnie Patterson and approved by all commissioners present.

• Recessed meeting and set next meeting for June 25, 2025 (unanimous approval)

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners will hold a special call meeting on June 9, 2025. The provided agenda contains only procedural information and does not list specific discussion items or decisions.

The Board approved a motion to turn the School Resource Officer duties at Red Springs High School over to the Robeson County Sheriff Department, with all commissioners voting in favor. A separate motion to fund an Emergency Medical Services position starting January 1, 2026 was also approved. The meeting was recessed and scheduled to reconvene on June 16, 2025. No decision was made on outsourcing trash services.

• Transfer high school SRO duties to Robeson County Sheriff Department – approved unanimously
• Fund Emergency Medical Services position effective Jan 1, 2026 – approved
• Recess the meeting and set next meeting for June 16, 2025 – approved

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing and reviewed the proposed FY 2025-2026 budget. Discussions included the potential loss of the School Resource Officer's Program and a $156,000 startup cost for ambulance services.

• Public hearing held for the FY 2025-2026 Proposed Budget
• Proposed $156,000 startup cost for ambulance service
• Denied a customer request to waive a $10 late penalty for 1126 East 4th Avenue
• Tabled a proposed ordinance amendment regarding fines for rollout trash cans left at curbside
• Tabled alternate appointments to the Planning Board/Board of Adjustment

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners reviewed a proposed budget of $19,582,620, including line-by-line expenditures and revenue projections. Discussions focused on personnel costs, department staffing, and two different options for managing sanitation services.

• Proposed 3% cost of living adjustment for all full-time and part-time employees
• Proposal to lease five police vehicles and three public works vehicles through Enterprise Fleet Management
• Proposed $150,000 for Water/Sewer Department capital outlay equipment, including a $15,000 vehicle
• Budgeted $10,000 for recreation press boxes, benches, and dugouts
• Discussion of Option 2 to transfer sanitation services to Waste Management with a proposed fee increase to $25

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners met and took action on several items. They voted to authorize an outside analysis of the electrical system following an April 7 power surge, approved revisions to allow three alternates on the Planning Board, and discussed the preliminary FY2025-2026 budget including proposed utility rate increases. An audit contract for $33,500 was approved, and updates on the Little Raft Swamp project and finance reports were received.

• Public hearing and approval of revision to Article 4 to allow three alternates on the Planning Board
• Board authorized Town Manager to hire an outside source to analyze the town's electrical system after the April 7 power surge
• Approved FY 2024-2025 audit contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, and Company for $33,500
• Discussed preliminary FY 2025-2026 budget including proposed $2 increases per gallon for water/sewer rates and a $2 increase for sanitation rates
• Little Raft Swamp project completed, trapping 98 beavers and reducing water treatment plant flow from 1.4 million to 600,000 gallons per day

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners held a budget retreat focused on improving board communication, trust, and alignment with the town's Comprehensive Plan. Facilitator David Richardson led discussions on effective governance and transparency. No budget decisions were made; the board voted to request training on closed session rules from the town attorney.

• Board discussed making the Comprehensive Plan the top priority for moving the town forward
• Commissioner Chris Edmonds motioned to request a closed-session training from Attorney Antoine Marshall; all voted in favor
• Mayor and board participated in exercises on building trust and fostering openness with staff
• Town Manager Shanelle Harris encouraged staff to communicate documented needs even if unfunded
• No specific budget numbers, rezonings, or contracts were presented or voted on

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners met to review the FY2025/2026 budget expenditures, projective revenues, and personnel needs. Discussions included a proposed 3% increase for employees. The board also reviewed a proposal for the fire department to start an ambulance service.

• Proposed 3% salary increase for employees
• Discussion of fire department moving into the Emergency Medical Service Building
• Request for cost analysis to purchase two used ambulances and start a full ambulance service

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners met on April 1, 2025, and approved a rezoning request and special use permit for a 9-acre tract between Shannon Rd and HWY 71 to allow multifamily dwellings. The board also approved a $1,020.04 utility bill release for a resident, adopted an E-911 agreement with Robeson County, and reappointed an ABC board member. New business included discussion of a neighborhood cleanup initiative and a delayed appointment to the Planning Board.

• Rezoning of 9-acre tract (Parcel #17020101605) from Open Space and Residential to Residential Multi-family
• Special Use Permit for multifamily dwellings on the same 9-acre tract
• Approved utility bill release of $1,020.04 for Mr. and Mrs. Hicks
• Adopted FY 2024-2025 E-911 agreement with Robeson County through June 30, 2027
• Reappointed Crawford G. Arrington to the ABC Board for three years

Meeting

The board held a public hearing and discussed a rezoning request for a 9-acre tract between Shannon Rd and HWY 71 from Open Space and Residential to Residential Multifamily, along with a Special Use Permit for a proposed 60-unit apartment development called Poplar Branch Apartments. Staff and the Planning Board recommended approval, noting the need for workforce housing despite the request constituting spot zoning. The minutes do not record a final vote on either item; the agenda lists them under both Public Hearing and New Business, but no motion or vote outcome is documented in the provided text.

• Approved consent agenda including February 4, 2025 board minutes, releases/refunds, and five budget amendments (2025-03-04-01 through 2025-03-04-05).
• Approved a proclamation declaring March 12, 2025 as Girl Scout Day in Red Springs.
• Discussed but did not vote on sponsoring the Juneteenth Celebration; the item was presented and a recommended action was noted but no motion outcome is recorded.
• Tabled Board of Adjustment vacancies from the January meeting; the item was discussed but no appointment or action was taken.
• Heard a presentation from VHB consultants on the Robeson County Safety Action Plan update.
• Discussed the upcoming budget retreat under new business; no decision recorded.
• Went into closed session under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11(3) to consult with legal counsel.
• Announced a bid opening for water line replacements on March 5, 2025, and upcoming community events including a food distribution and the Red Springs Street Festival.

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners voted on several zoning text amendments, removing bars as a permitted use in multiple districts and adding them as a conditional use, along with amendments to manufactured home and restaurant definitions. The board also approved an amended audit contract, discussed water main tie-ins on Vance and Church Streets, and heard a recommendation to increase water/sewer rates. New police officers were recognized, and the board tabled Board of Adjustment vacancies.

• Removed bars as permitted use in CBD, GB, GB-1, O&I districts; added as conditional use in GB, GB-1, O&I, and Light Industrial districts
• Removed Manufactured Home Class A on individual lots as permitted use in Residence District (R); continues in Residential Agricultural district
• Revised definition of 'Restaurant' to require permanent kitchen, separating from bars
• Approved amended audit contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co, P.A.
• Discussed water main project tie-ins on Vance and Church Streets needing inserta valve

Meeting

The board reviewed updates on several infrastructure projects: water main replacement is nearly complete, a $500,000 state grant will fund a splash pad at Tom Copes Park, and College Street drainage improvements are about to begin. The town also ended its involvement in a $2 million ETI grant. No public input or old business were considered.

• Water main replacement on Malloy Street will finish by end of January; brief outages expected
• $500,000 state appropriation for splash pad at Tom Copes Park; cost $313,600
• College Street drainage improvements (CDBG-DR project) starting soon to reduce flooding
• NC Rebuild program ending; town issued 74 permits in 2024, boosting property tax revenue by $21,000
• Town will no longer participate in the $2M ETI grant; funds go directly to the institute