Budget Public Input Session

A special Public Session will be held at Town Hall at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 2nd for citizen input on the future needs of Morrisville. Participants will discuss the Long Range Financial Plan and Community Investment Projects. This will be an informal occasion for residents to speak with Town Council Members and identify community needs. At the end of the Public Input portion of the meeting, the Council will conduct a Work Session to discuss the suggestions, capital spending and the Town's budget direction. Based on the information gathered during the public session, a survey will be designed for residents to rank the options discussed. The survey will be available on the Town's website (http://www.ci.morrisville.nc.us/) from December 5 to 31 for citizens to complete. For more information email jhooks@ci.morrisville.nc.us.

Concerned Citizen Publicly Criticized at Council Meeting

Open Letter to Morrisville Town Council Members:
“As you know, concerned citizens have the right to state opposition to any policy or program. However, at your Work Session on October 21, the Town Manager asked that the Council rebuke a citizen who is critical of Staff judgments. You heard the Town Manager cite one resident by name. However, when speaking at public hearings, this citizen has always been articulate, knowledgeable and respectful. Morrisville is fortunate to have this resident dedicating considerable time and talent for its benefit. For a Town official to publicly single out and disparage any constituent in such a manner is reprehensible. It is requested that a public apology be provided to this citizen.”

This concern was emailed to the Town Council on October 30th. So far there has been no response.

Email: TownCouncil@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Land Use & Transportation Committee Member Speaks Out

Updated 3/11/09

Morrisville’s long awaited new Land Use and Transportation Plan (LUTP) was unveiled at the meeting of its Planning & Zoning Board on August 14 at Town Hall. During the Open House and Public Hearing, a number of citizens voiced concern with the Plan’s key recommendations. Having served on the LUTP Committee for its nine months of meetings, following is my critique of the proposal.

1 – LAND USE PLAN

A – Low Density Zoning: We are all aware of Morrisville’s major traffic problems and inadequate road infrastructure. Whether it is residential or commercial, planning for even more high density land use is like throwing gasoline on a fire. It effect, the limitations of the proposed Transportation Plan should impact the design of the Land Use Plan. Without solutions to the associated increase in automobile traffic, the Land Use Plan should have avoided designating land parcels for high density use. At the Land Use and Transportation Plan workshops and focus groups, a majority of the Town’s citizens clearly stated: “No more large development” and “Slow down growth.”

B – Residential Land Use: Most citizens seek Morrisville to “be a place to live, NOT a place to drive to.” Our Town’s primary appeal is being a residential community with desirable single-family owner-occupied homes. However, it has been estimated that approximately 20,000 residents from other municipalities drive into Morrisville to work and an additional tens of thousands drive through Morrisville to RTP and other job sites outside of our Town. I believe that the Land Use Plan should have concentrated on enhancing Morrisville’s appeal as an attractive residential community. Too many times the Plan diverts from this goal as well as proposing land use that significantly adds to the Town’s heavy traffic volume.

C – “Regional Activity Center” Designation of Parcels Surrounding Park West Village: The expanded area surrounding the planned “mixed use” shopping complex of Park West Village (almost 100 acres of retail and commercial outlets at Cary Parkway and Route 54) is predominately low-density single family owner occupied homes (Preston, Weston Estates, etc.). It is one of the prime residential areas in the Triangle. Planning for additional large “retail activity centers” around Park West Village may seriously impact the area’s value and appeal. There was no public support expressed for ADDITIONAL Regional Activity Centers at this location. This Land Use proposal is solely from the Town Staff.

2 – TRANSPORTATION PLAN

A – Route 54 (Chapel Hill Road): Citizens had overwhelming identified NC 54 as THE major issue for the Town. Unless this issue is dealt with, the increasing of traffic congestion will limit future growth. Citizens and Committee members wanted a detailed plan for needed improvements to NC 54. In the initial drafts, the Plan only cited NC 54 as a “problem.” Following strong prodding by the Advisory Committee, NC 54 was treated as a priority issue. However, the practicality of what is summarized as possibilities for NC 54 was never discussed by the Committee or presented to the public for consideration. NC 54 should have received major consideration and input from the beginning. It should have been the KEY recommendation in the written Transportation Plan.

B – Crabtree Crossing Extension: In the current Draft of the Morrisville Transportation Plan, considerable “public comment” is cited to have been made for the proposed Crabtree Crossing Extension. Not reported is the fact that almost all of it is opposed to the proposal. The Town’s most recent expense estimate for this road extension is at least 11 million dollars (it might be more like 20 million in today’s dollars). The Town now believes that about 2,000 autos would utilize the planned connector road daily. However, most of this traffic would feed into a limited travel street in a prime residential neighborhood. Considerable expense (to both Town and residents) would be needed to install traffic deterring and calming measures on Crabtree Crossing Parkway. Any minimal additional emergency response time that might be gained by the road extension would be more than offset by the obstacles and blockage caused the by the new traffic calming measures. The citizens overwhelming voiced rejection of this proposal. It will have to be constructed a phenomenal cost to the Town. To me logic and common sense indicate that it SHOULD NOT be included as a proposal in the Town’s revised Transportation Plan.

There is still time for the Town Council to make certain that the Land Use & Transportation Plan is what citizens asked for!

Remaining Meeting Scheduled . At Town Hall.
Tues, Mar 24 – 6:30 pm: Possible Decision

To view the 2008 Land Use & Transportation Plans, click on the following link: LUTP. Since the final Plan will set direction for Morrisville for decades, let your opinions be known in email: TownCouncil@ci.morrisville.nc.us

LUTP Advisory Committee Member

Park West Future Expansion?

Here is a site plan for Park West Village (Route 54 & Cary Parkway) that its developer had previously prepared. Added to the 95-acre massive mixed use center, was a large parcel at the corner of Route 54 and Morrisville Parkway. This parcel included more retail outlets and a second entrance from Morrisville Parkway. It is believed that the developer owns this corner property. What is the developer's future plans for this parcel? Will it become part of Park West Village? View the site plan on page 6 & 7 of the developer's brochure:
http://www.castoinfo.com/pdf/ncpwv-inserts-final.pdf

Vision for Morrisville

In a speech at the Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville’s Mayor promoted the commercial development of retail “big box” stores, offices, apartments and restaurants. I don’t believe that this vision is shared by the majority of residents. It is contrary to our Town’s “Mission” and “Vision” Statements, which is “dedicated to preserving quality of life” and to “preserve small-town values.” Also, it is not supported by Morrisville’s limited road, water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure.

Morrisville’s commercial development of 43% far exceeds surrounding neighborhoods: Cary 26%, Apex 18%, Raleigh 29%, Wake Forest 20%, and Holly Springs 9%. With recent Board approvals, rental apartments will soon exceed owner-occupied residences. Many perceive the Board has “never finding a development it didn’t like.” Morrisville is only about 10 square miles. How many high-density commercial services, stores, offices and apartment buildings can we squeeze in? This is not community building, and it is not acceptable.

Morrisville’s great appeal is primarily as a residential community of attractive one-family homes in highly desirable neighborhoods. Within minutes, we provide access to all services. We are in close proximity to major employment centers, prime recreational facilities and key transportation hubs and arteries. Our residents in owner-occupied homes provide a vital and sizeable tax base. Maintaining and enhancing Morrisville as a prime residential community is the “vision” we should be seeking.

Board Passes Budget With No Property Tax Increase

By Chris Cowperthwaite, NBC17

After a whirlwind week of number crunching, Morrisville's Board of Commissioners passed their Fiscal Year 2009 budget Thursday.

This just a couple days after the board disapproved the original proposal, which would have meant a 19 percent tax hike.

The final budget came in at 36.65 cents per $100 of property value, which is actually under the "revenue neutral" line.

The original proposal prompted a late, but effective, outcry from more than 200 Morrisville residents who crammed the boardroom during last week's final public hearing.

"Morrisville's in good shape," said Morrisville resident Jackie Holcombe, who led the community effort to get the budget cuts. "It's a really good day for the residents. Their activism is what led to this change -- from us potentially having the biggest tax increase in the Triangle to having a very competitive tax rate."

The new budget managed to keep a lot of town services in tact without forcing any layoffs.

Board members were even able to keep the cost of living adjustment for town employees at 3 percent and protect a $175,000 pool of merit bonus money.

Town staff members worked at a breakneck pace to get the new numbers prepared in time.

"They did an excellent job. Everybody stuck together. Everyone was willing to sacrifice across the board," said Town Manager John Whitson. "We're going to try to provide the best service we can with whatever money you appropriate to us."

The town is holding off on buying a new fire truck that would have cost more than half a million dollars, but they are going ahead with construction for a new headquarters for the Fire Department.

Budget Still Not Finalized

By Chris Cowperthwaite, NBC-17 News

The Morrisville Board of Commissioners hasn't settled on a new budget -- but they're getting close.

Board members will continue their meeting to Thursday night (6/26), after a marathon session lasting almost five and a half hours Wednesday.

Some commissioners were ready to vote just before midnight, but the board opted to sleep on it.

"As it stands right now, no employees will be losing their job," said Town Manager John Whitson. "And we came up with a plan that the board was able to work with, and put some things back that staff had initially removed from the budget. And it looks like one that will not deter services significantly."

Earlier this week, commissioners disapproved the proposed budget, which would have meant a 19 percent property tax hike for Morrisville residents.

More than 200 people turned out to protest that proposal during the town's final public hearing last week, and that outcry forced the commissioners to rethink their plans.

Now, the board is close to agreeing on a budget that's almost exactly "revenue neutral."

A lot of the burden of the budget cuts will fall on town employees: cost of living adjustments are likely being slashed, and commissioners are planning on freezing merit pay.

The town will probably hold off on buying a new fire truck, but will begin building a new headquarters for the fire department.

Town events like Day at the Park appear to be off the hook, as well, although they may be scaled back.

The board has got to make a decision quickly, because state regulations require a finalized budget by Monday, June 30.

They'll meet again at Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.

An Open Letter to the Morrisville Board of Commissioners:

Re: Unconscionable Tax Increase

Not every Morrisville resident is in as good a financial situation that you and some of us may be. Although you personally may not be experiencing it, our economy is in major economic recession. Gasoline, food, cost health insurance have reached historically high levels. New employment opportunities are scarce; current job security is weak. Despite the recent unrealistic re-evaluations by Wake County, home values are lowering. "For Sale" signs on properties are abundant. Many seeking to remain in their homes will face considerable difficulty paying the taxes on it. In all, a considerable number of your constituents are being forced to drastically limit essential purchases and curtail family activities. Retail sales are at record lows. What are you planning to do to assist citizens in this current economic climate? It's unconscionable, but the Board will raise Morrisville's property taxes 19% above "revenue neutral." More than any other municipal government in the area!

You can't seriously state that purchasing property for no immediate use or establishing television broadcasts of your Board meetings are "essential.” And who else is currently getting a 4.4% "across-the-board" Cost of Living salary increase in addition to 4% average merit increase? If any salary increase at all, most citizens are lucky to get a 1 to 2% total annual raise. We have excellent response and service with the existing Fire Station # 1. I am certain it can continue without any curtailment of service for another few years. Also, didn't we already have a bond issue for a new fire station a few years ago? To respond with the argument that "we set the tax rate higher now, so we don't have to raise it later" is unconscionable!

As you know, Morrisville property mix is approximately 57% residential and 43% Commercial and compared to Cary's 74%/26% distribution (residential/commercial). Morrisville taxes for the same property, and for all practical purposes, the same services will be 33% higher than Cary. Yet we are told we need MORE commercial and mixed use development to increase Town revenue.

WITHOUT Public Hearings, the 44 cents per $100 tax rate (19% above the revenue neutral rate) was first discussed at the January Board retreat and approved as part of the 2008-2009 Long Range Financial Plan at the 4/22 Board meeting. At this point, the rate was basically "set in concrete." For the actual budget approval, one Public Hearing was held at the 5/27 Board meeting. While the public hearing for other items (district-at-large voting) will be continued at the 6/24 Business Meeting, it has been cut off for the Budget. Public notice of the tax increase has been kept "under the radar." While the Town may have met the minimum legal requirements of public notice, it is questioned whether it fulfilled the spirit of good government. There was NO mention of the new budget, tax increase or public hearing in the one Town publication that all residents receive and most read -- the Morrisville Connection. The majority of residents will only become of aware of the increase when they receive their tax bills!

You were elected to represent YOUR constituents, the residents of Morrisville. Your major responsibly is to be an ADVOCATE for the citizens. Approving this tax increase for Morrisville voters is unconscionable!