Council continued its budget deliberations Tuesday and Scherer said afterward he will be “looking at what council has recommended and what we can afford.”
Scherer confirmed he is still planning the budget with no tax increase proposed.
It appears, however, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department will have to seek grant funding for a Proactive Criminal Enforcement Team and city firefighters will not see a requested across-the-board pay increase specifically designed for the fire department.
Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky reiterated the need for a city planner during Tuesday's budget work session. She had previously made the proposal during the first round of budget discussions earlier this month.
“We need to look at funding the planner,” said Councilman Wayne Smith, who earlier asked Lasky whether the planner would speed up processes within the department.
“It will on the front end of things,” she replied.
Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon renewed his request for the T.J. Davis supervisor.
While Smith said he was hesitant, Councilwoman Carol Cowen said, “I think we need to explore the position as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, during discussion of the police department's proposed budget, council all but ruled out funding the proactive criminal enforcement team unless it is done through grant funding.
“I don't know how we can fund three men. We're talking half a million dollars,” Smith said. “If we get a grant we would have to pay in the second year. That would be easier for us to do. I don't see how we can find three men without looking at grants.”
Council is amenable to budgeting five new police vehicles for the upcoming fiscal year, Smith said.
Fire Chief Stacy Coggins' request for across-the-board pay increases within the department is not likely to be funded. He is expected to get eight new air packs and seven bottles.
The fire chief proposed earlier this month a 5-percent across-the-board pay increase for the fire department and also presented to council a proposal for a 7-percent across-the-board pay increase.
The 5-percent increase would require $1,223,753.51 while the 7-percent would require $1,246,586.
“I can't see how it would be fair for everyone in the city,” Smith said. “If we could afford it, we should give everyone a pay increase.”
Smith also made one of the first public comments regarding the fire department running first responder calls, saying he believed it was time for the fire department “to get out of the first responder business.”
Said Smith: “The thing we have to look at is the cost of what we currently do. We already pay 3 cents of tax dollars to the 911 center. It's time for the county to take some responsibility for Roanoke Rapids.”
He said afterward, “I think we ought to review it. We're going across each other's borders with too many vehicles.”
“I'm at your leisure if you don't want to do it,” Coggins said. “I'm here to appease the majority of council.”
