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Marion City Council
Meeting Agenda
Location: Marion Community Building
Address: 191 N Main Street
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Item # Agenda Topics Notes
Consent Agenda
A: Budget Ordinance Amendment
B: Approval of Grant Application - Catawba River Sewer
Ariel Mitigation Project
C.Approval of Grant Application - Marion Wastewater
Treatment Plant Helene Resilience Project
D.Approval of Grant Application - Marion Wastewater Grit
1. Classification Helene Resilience Project
2. Presentation of Law Enforcement Advanced Certificates Presented by Police Chief Lawrence
3. Public Appearance: Mission Ministries Alliance Presented by Crystal Sweatt
The Public Comment Period shall not
exceed 30 minutes with each speaker
4. Public Comment Period limited to 5 minutes each.
5. Presentation of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Audit Presented by Sharon Gillespie, CPA
6. Approval of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Calendar Presented by Finance Director Young
7. Acceptance of Grant Awards Presented by Funding Coordinator Clark
8. Continuation of Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
9. Scheduling of Next City Council Planning Session
10. City Manager's Report

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CITY OF MARION, NORTH CAROLINA
2025-2026 BUDGET ORDINANCE
Amendment #2
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Marion, North Carolina as follows:
Section 1. That the Budget Ordinance for the City of Marion, North Carolina for the fiscal year 2025-2026 as adopted by the Marion City Council on the 17th day of June,
2025 is hereby amended as follows:
GENERAL FUND
Expenditure
Before After Increase/ Revenue Increase/
Department Account # Account Description Amendment Amendment (Decrease) (Decrease)
Revenues 100-300-41007 Tax Discount $ (21,500) $ (25,500) $ (4,000)
100-305-41009 Sales & Use Tax Distribution $ 2,225,640 $ 2,270,055 $ 44,415
NC DPS - State & Local CyberSecurity Grant
100-340-42020 Income - EMW-2023-CY-00066 $ - $ 163,189 $ 163,189
Expenditures 100-420-81200 Capital Outlay $ 45,000 $ 76,415 $ 31,415
100-420-60300 Professional Services $ 68,000 $ 77,000 $ 9,000
NC DPS - State & Local CyberSecurity Grant
100-445-82170 Expense - EMW-2023-CY-00066 $ - $ 163,189 $ 1 63,189
Total $ 203,604.00 $ 2 03,604.00
GENERAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
Revenues 110-385-48502 Transfer from General Fund - Powell Bill $ 872,930 $ 956,000 $ 8 3,070
Expenditures 110-960-81200 Street Improvements $ 1,557,000 $ 1 ,640,070 $ 8 3,070
Total $ 83,070 $ 83,070
Section 2. Copies of this Budget Amendment shall be furnished to the Budget Officer to be kept on file for direction in the disbursement of Funds.
Adopted this the 6th day of January, 2026.
Stephen R. Little, Mayor
ATTEST: __________________________________________________
Katelyn R. Stinson, Assistant to the Manager/City Clerk
Ordinance Number O-26-01-06-01

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RESOLUTION BY GOVERNING BODY OF APPLICANT
WHEREAS, The City of Marion has need for and intends to construct, plan for, or conduct a
study in a project described as the Catawba River Sewer Aerial Mitigation Project,
and
WHEREAS, The City of Marion intends to request State loan and/or grant assistance for the
project,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MARION:
That the City of Marion, the Applicant, will arrange financing for all remaining costs of the
project, if approved for a State loan and/or grant award.
That the Applicant will provide for efficient operation and maintenance of the project on
completion of construction thereof.
That the Applicant will adopt and place into effect on or before completion of the project a
schedule of fees and charges and other available funds which will provide adequate funds for
proper operation, maintenance, and administration of the system and the repayment of all principal
and interest on the debt.
That the governing body of the Applicant agrees to include in the loan agreement a provision
authorizing the State Treasurer, upon failure of the City of Marion to make a scheduled repayment
of the loan, to withhold from the City of Marion any State funds that would otherwise be distributed
to the local government unit in an amount sufficient to pay all sums then due and payable to the
State as a repayment of the loan.
That Crystal Young, Finance Officer, and Woody Ayers, City Manager, the Authorized
Representative(s) and successors so titled, is hereby authorized to execute and file an application
on behalf of the Applicant with the State of North Carolina for a loan and/or grant to aid in the
study of or construction of the project described above.
That the Authorized Representative(s), and successors so titled, are hereby authorized and
directed to furnish such information as the appropriate State agency may request in connection
with such application or the project: to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute
such other documents as may be required in connection with the application.

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That the Applicant has substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State,
and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and funding conditions applicable to the project and
to Federal and State grants and loans pertaining thereto.
Adopted this 6th day of January, 2026, by the City of Marion, North Carolina, City Council.
________________________________
Stephen R. Little
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________________
Katelyn R. Stinson
Assistant to Manager/City Clerk
Resolution Number: R-26-01-06-01

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RESOLUTION BY GOVERNING BODY OF APPLICANT
WHEREAS, The City of Marion has need for and intends to construct, plan for, or conduct a
study in a project described as the Marion Wastewater Treatment Plant Helene
Resilience Project, and
WHEREAS, The City of Marion intends to request State loan and/or grant assistance for the
project,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MARION:
That the City of Marion, the Applicant, will arrange financing for all remaining costs of the
project, if approved for a State loan and/or grant award.
That the Applicant will provide for efficient operation and maintenance of the project on
completion of construction thereof.
That the Applicant will adopt and place into effect on or before completion of the project a
schedule of fees and charges and other available funds which will provide adequate funds for
proper operation, maintenance, and administration of the system and the repayment of all principal
and interest on the debt.
That the governing body of the Applicant agrees to include in the loan agreement a provision
authorizing the State Treasurer, upon failure of the City of Marion to make a scheduled repayment
of the loan, to withhold from the City of Marion any State funds that would otherwise be distributed
to the local government unit in an amount sufficient to pay all sums then due and payable to the
State as a repayment of the loan.
That Crystal Young, Finance Officer, and Woody Ayers, City Manager, the Authorized
Representative(s) and successors so titled, is hereby authorized to execute and file an application
on behalf of the Applicant with the State of North Carolina for a loan and/or grant to aid in the
study of or construction of the project described above.
That the Authorized Representative(s), and successors so titled, are hereby authorized and
directed to furnish such information as the appropriate State agency may request in connection
with such application or the project: to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute
such other documents as may be required in connection with the application.

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That the Applicant has substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State,
and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and funding conditions applicable to the project and
to Federal and State grants and loans pertaining thereto.
Adopted this 6th day of January, 2026, by the City of Marion, North Carolina, City Council.
________________________________
Stephen R. Little
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________________
Katelyn R. Stinson
Assistant to Manager/City Clerk
Resolution Number: R-26-01-06-02

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RESOLUTION BY GOVERNING BODY OF APPLICANT
WHEREAS, The City of Marion has need for and intends to construct, plan for, or conduct a
study in a project described as the Marion Wastewater Grit Classification Helene
Resilience Project, and
WHEREAS, The City of Marion intends to request State loan and/or grant assistance for the
project,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MARION:
That the City of Marion, the Applicant, will arrange financing for all remaining costs of the
project, if approved for a State loan and/or grant award.
That the Applicant will provide for efficient operation and maintenance of the project on
completion of construction thereof.
That the Applicant will adopt and place into effect on or before completion of the project a
schedule of fees and charges and other available funds which will provide adequate funds for
proper operation, maintenance, and administration of the system and the repayment of all principal
and interest on the debt.
That the governing body of the Applicant agrees to include in the loan agreement a provision
authorizing the State Treasurer, upon failure of the City of Marion to make a scheduled repayment
of the loan, to withhold from the City of Marion any State funds that would otherwise be distributed
to the local government unit in an amount sufficient to pay all sums then due and payable to the
State as a repayment of the loan.
That Crystal Young, Finance Officer, and Woody Ayers, City Manager, the Authorized
Representative(s) and successors so titled, is hereby authorized to execute and file an application
on behalf of the Applicant with the State of North Carolina for a loan and/or grant to aid in the
study of or construction of the project described above.
That the Authorized Representative(s), and successors so titled, are hereby authorized and
directed to furnish such information as the appropriate State agency may request in connection
with such application or the project: to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute
such other documents as may be required in connection with the application.

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That the Applicant has substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State,
and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and funding conditions applicable to the project and
to Federal and State grants and loans pertaining thereto.
Adopted this 6th day of January, 2026, by the City of Marion, North Carolina, City Council.
________________________________
Stephen R. Little
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________________
Katelyn R. Stinson
Assistant to Manager/City Clerk
Resolution Number: R-26-01-06-03

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City of Marion
2026-2027 Budget Calendar/Process
Fall ‘25 City Manager meets with City Council/Department Heads/Consultants in
strategic planning sessions to set objectives and priorities for Fiscal Year
2026-27 as well as future years.
Jan. ‘26 City Manager and Department Heads meet to update the Capital
Improvement Plan, evaluate staffing needs, and discuss preliminary
financial and operational goals and objectives for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Jan. 12th Finance Director distributes budget documents to Department Heads noting
milestones in budget process to have recommended budget to Council in
May.
Feb. 2nd Budget estimates for Fiscal Year 2025-26 due to Finance from Department
Heads.
March 9th Department Heads submit requested 2026-27 budget to City Manager that
reflects the resources required to meet goals and objectives.
March-April City Manager and Finance Director review revenue estimates, particularly
the State collected local revenues and property tax revenues. Property
valuation estimates as of January 1, 2026 to be obtained from County as
early as possible.
City Manager and Finance Director meet with Department Heads to discuss
FY 2026-27 budget requests.
City Manager, HR Director, and Finance Director review proposed pay plan
adjustments and the impact on the budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Budget work session are held during the month of April with City staff and
City Council.

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City of Marion
2026-2027 Budget Calendar/Process (Continued)
May City Manager proposes expenditure and revenue adjustments necessary to
balance all funds.
Based on the City Manager’s recommendations, the budget document is
produced as a proposal to the City Council by May 30.
June The proposed budget is presented to the full City Council for its adoption
prior to July 1st. Copies of the budget document are filed in City Hall for
public review.
A Public Hearing is held to receive public comments on the proposed
budget presented to the City Council.
The budget document is adopted by June 30.