By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Stancil reported that town departments are just shy of a 5 percent budget reduction target set last fall as economic conditions worsened.
In a monthly update at a meeting of the town council on Monday night at Town Hall, Stancil said that about 2.2 million in savings has been set aside — close to the goal of 2.4 million.
The funds have been moved to a special line item in department budgets that will require the town manger’s approval to be spent.
Stancil said saving money this year will be important as the next fiscal year budget is drafted. He projects a 3.3 million shortfall, and any savings from this year will be a useful cushion.
In addition to squeezing savings from department budgets, the town will see some savings this year from lower petroleum prices, Stancil said. The town projected paying more than $2 per gallon; it broke even in December and will see savings should prices remain low.
In other action, the town’s planning board petitioned the council to change a loophole in the town’s development rules that has allowed some developments to avoid council review. Thresholds for land disturbance may have to be altered, planning board members say, because developers have been able to subdivide lots and come in under the threshold.
The council also opted not to sell town-owned property off Mount Carmel Church Road near the town’s southern fire station.
Christ Church has approached the town requesting to purchase about eight acres of town property to build a house of worship.
Several council members said that while they appreciated the request, they could not support selling the land.
Council member Ed Harrison said the parcel is a rare piece of ridgetop and should remain in preservation.
Council member Sally Greene agreed. “We need to hold on to this critical piece of land,†she said.
Noting that he was on the council when the land was given by the Craig family, council member Bill Strom said that despite the church’s “generous offer,†selling the land would violate the spirit in which it was donated to the town.
“I felt I made a commitment to keep the land in town ownership and as open space,†he said.
Council members said that in the future, the land may serve as a small park.