Montreat Minute 11/4/22

November 4, 2022

Update on the Town’s Financial Status

The Town is happy to rep/ort that the 2021-2022 audit was submitted to the state prior to the official deadline and well before the November 30 grace period. We are also excited to report the Town is in excellent financial status. Here are several highlights from the audit report:

  • The Town’s Net Position (Assets – Liabilities) increased 6.1% or $482,919 for the year, taking total Net Position to $8,408,718.
  • Our Unassigned Fund Balance, which is essentially our savings account, stood at $893,598 at the end of the fiscal year, or 55.2% of general fund expenditures (52.8% of budgeted expenditures). Our Town policy states the Fund Balance must be at 35%. Due to our investments in the Town Hall and Public Works buildings, we have not adhered to this policy in several years. We are pleased to be significantly above the policy requirement as of June 30.
  • We received no written internal control violations and no budget violations.

The final audit will be posted to the website after all final paperwork is completed.

More on Leaf Pickup

Did you know that the average mature tree has between 175,000 and 225,000 leaves? With our Montreat tree population, no wonder there are so many leaves in your yard! Here are some tips and reminders about leaf removal:

  • The Town picks up leaves left at curbside every other Wednesday. Place leaves in compostable paper bags available at local hardware stores.
  • Please do not pile leaves in the street. The Town does not have leaf vacuuming equipment to remove them.
  • If you hire a leaf removal firm, please make sure they do not dump leaves in the street, culverts, or streambeds. Leaves clog stormwater pathways, cause flooding, and make passage difficult.

Montreat College Offers Town Forums to Review Their Master Planning Process

Montreat College initiated a comprehensive master planning process this summer and will host two sessions to share information with and hear from the Montreat community. Through this process, the college leadership team seeks to understand how space is utilized and plan for future needs of the growing college community. The master plan development will continue into early 2023 and focuses on the college’s campuses in Montreat and Black Mountain.

College President Paul J. Maurer will lead the discussion along with a representative from the consulting firm which is facilitating the college’s master planning process. Information will be provided regarding the master plan as well as opportunity for public comments and questions. The Master Plan information sessions will be held on Tuesday, November 22 and Tuesday, December 13, from6:30-7:30 p.m. in Gaither Fellowship Hall at 310 Gaither Circle.

Please Note: If you would like to attend one or both of these information sessions, CLICK HERE to RSVP online to allow the college to plan accordingly.

Don’t miss this unique and important opportunity.

Town Council Meeting Cancelled for November

In a rare occurrence for our Town, there is no Old or New Business for the November Town Council agenda. Therefore, there will be no Town Council meeting or Public Forum on Thursday, November 10. If you have questions or comments for the Commissioners, please email them to [email protected]. We will respond as quickly as possible. See you at the December meeting on Dec. 8th.

Updates and Reminders

  • Montreat Open Space Conservation Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 8, at 3:30pm in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will not be live streamed.
  • Montreat Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Thursday, November 10, at 10:00am in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will be live streamed. CLICK HERE for details of the meeting and streaming instructions.
  • Watch your mailboxes for a mailing from the Town providing plenty of information about the bears/hunting dogs/bear hunters initiative. It includes a magnet with “what to do” information to put on your Montreat refrigerator. For questions, write [email protected].
  • Know someone who doesn’t receive the Montreat Minute? Tell them to email [email protected] and ask to be put on the Sunshine/Montreat Minute list.

Questions?

Do you have Town-related questions you would like answered? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend