Mayor Marshburn Proclaims June 19 ‘Juneteenth—Freedom Day’

Proclamation presented by Mayor Ken Marshburn on June 7, 2021:

WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring enslaved people in Confederate-controlled territory free and paving the way for passage of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States; and

WHEREAS, enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed by up to almost two and a half years in some Confederate territory, and by more than two years in the area that would become Garner; and

WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Union Major-General Gordon Granger read to the people of Galveston, Texas, General Order No. 3, which stated:

Mayor Marshburn presents Juneteenth proclamation to Town Manager Rodney Dickerson (right) and Council Member Demian Dellinger (left), who were representing Garner's Juneteenth Committee.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves”; and

WHEREAS, June 19th thus has acquired special meaning, and is called Juneteenth, combining the words June and nineteenth, and has been celebrated as Freedom Day by many African Americans for over 150 years; and

WHEREAS, in Wake County, there were more than 10,000 enslaved people—nearly two-fifths of the county’s population—recorded in the 1860 Census; and

WHEREAS, these citizens contributed greatly to the prosperity and development of the area that would become Garner both during their enslavement and after they were freed; and

WHEREAS, like enslaved African Americans in Texas, enslaved people in Wake County, including in the area that would become Garner, were not liberated until after Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union troops in Appomattox, Virginia, which occurred in April 1865; and

WHEREAS, the creation of a Garner Juneteenth Committee was authorized by this Town Council to raise awareness about Juneteenth and about other relevant information that places Juneteenth in historical context; and

WHEREAS, the United States celebrates its freedom from tyranny on July 4, 1776, but we acknowledge that not all Americans were free on that day; therefore, Juneteenth should be celebrated alongside July 4th Independence Day and not in lieu of it.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Ken Marshburn, Mayor of the Town of Garner, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2021, as

Juneteenth—Freedom Da

Town Council Approves Budget for FY 2021-22 That Supports Critical Services

The Town Council at its June 7 regular meeting voted unanimously to adopt a $43.2 million operating budget for fiscal year 2021-22, which begins July 1.

The budget funds a sidewalk maintenance pilot program, replacement of multiple bleachers at Town ballfields and numerous new positions, including four critically needed police patrol officers and a community risk captain for Garner Fire-Rescue. 

The additional officers will allow the Police Department to respond to the Town’s growing population and maintain current service levels. The community risk captain will enable Garner Fire-Rescue to implement various initiatives designed to educate local residents about fire-prevention practices.

A municipal property-tax rate increase of 1.5 cents is included in the FY 21-22 budget, bringing the Town's rate to 50.21 cents per $100 valuation.

View fullsize

Even with the tax-rate increase, the adopted budget continues to ensure that Garner will have the lowest effective tax rate among Wake County municipalities (view comparison chart).

"I want to thank the staff that worked on this [budget], but particularly I want to thank this Council,” Mayor Ken Marshburn said at the June 7 Council meeting.

He said the Council made prudent decisions to restore to the budget several new positions that had been requested by departments but were not originally part of the recommended budget. Mayor Marshburn said the positions that were restored would help the Town meet important service needs and that failing to include them in the budget would have amounted to “kicking the can down the road—and that’s not a good thing.”

In addition to the four police officers and the fire community risk captain, new positions funded in the budget include a risk manager; a GIS mapping position for Planning; an IT/communications specialist; four park attendants; conversion of part-time Public Works grounds positions to full time; enhancements to the Public Works fleet management team and four positions that could help the Town manage a new bond program if approved by voters in November.

The projected Town-wide value of assessed property for fiscal year 2021-22 increased by $186.2 million, or 3.9 percent, over the projection for the current fiscal year. This rise was driven mainly by new home construction and the addition of $154 million in equipment at the Amazon fulfillment center on Jones Sausage Road.

View the original recommended budget.

View the changes approved by Council as part of the adopted budget.

Watch discussion and adoption of budget at June 7 Council meeting.

Post Date: 06/08/2021 2:55 PM

Garner July 3rd Celebration Is Back!

The Town of Garner is pleased to announce that our July 3rd Independence Day Celebration at Lake Benson Park (921 Buffaloe Road) is back this year with fireworks, the North Carolina Symphony, food vendors and more.

Johnny White and the Elite Band will kick off the festivities on July 3rd with a concert early in the evening before the symphony performs. Once the symphony concludes its show, one of the Triangle’s best fireworks displays will light up the skies over Garner.

There will be no kids zone inflatables this year, but the Town's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department will have craft activities available for children.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. There will be some parking available at the park as well as free shuttle service from South Garner High School (8228 Hebron Church Road) starting at 5.

Riders will be asked to wear masks while on the shuttles. And although masks will not be required at the park, attendees are asked to socially distance to the extent possible.

“We are so excited to welcome folks back to the park this year for our July 3rd Celebration,” Mayor Ken Marshburn said. “Our staff is working exceptionally hard to bring back this beloved Garner tradition after the one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. We look forward to seeing the community come together for this signature event.”

Please look for any updates regarding our July 3rd Celebration at garnernc.gov and on the Town’s main social media accounts as well as accounts managed by Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.

We remind attendees that pets are not allowed at Town-sponsored events; exceptions are made for service animals.

For more information about Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, please visit the department’s main webpage.

Courtesy Town of Garner

Garner Veteran Memorial Guided Tours at Lake Benson Park

Town offices will be closed Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. There will be no Memorial Day ceremony at the Garner Veterans Memorial this year, but from 9-10:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, there will be free guided tours of the memorial, which is located in Lake Benson Park at 921 Buffaloe Road. There is also a self-guided audio tour that visitors can do anytime; just scan one of the QR codes on the signage at the memorial.

Town of Garner Wins Statewide Awards for Communications

The Town of Garner recently won three 2021 Excellence in Communications Awards from N.C. City and County Communicators.

The awards include second place statewide for a Garner Veterans Memorial audio tour featuring tour guide and veteran Spencer Cardwell. This award-winning project was the result of a unique collaboration among staff in Communications and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, and individuals in the community. The next time you are at the memorial at Lake Benson Park, scan one of the QR codes on the signage and start listening to this fantastic narrative. You can also find it on YouTube.

The Town also won a second-place award for the 2020 Popular Annual Financial Report. The publication was the result of a collaboration between staff in Communications and Finance. Earlier editions of this report have received numerous honors from NC3C and from the Government Finance Officers Association. The report is one more way the Town seeks to be transparent and to make important information easily digestible. You can find the 2020 PAFR online.

In addition, the Town took home second-place honors for a father-son photo made during a community vigil held outside Town Hall last summer amid calls nationwide for racial justice and reconciliation. Communications staff made the photos for the event.

Courtesy Town of Garner

Garner Police Deny Dangerous Animal Permit

Post Date:05/24/2021 10:05 AM

After careful review, the Garner Police Department has denied the request for a Dangerous Animal Permit for the two dogs, Blitzen and Athena.   The dogs were seized on 4/27/2021 by the Garner Police Department after attacking 7yo Jayden Henderson and her mother at the home at 156 Roan Drive.  Jayden died of her injuries sustained from the attack.  The animals are currently being held at the Wake County Animal Shelter. 

“We believe that the dogs are just too dangerous to be allowed to be returned to their owners,” said Chief Joe Binns.  After reviewing all the information, the attack appeared to occur without warning or provocation.  Allowing the dogs to be released would create a substantial and unnecessary danger to the public.” 

The animals will continue to be housed at the Wake County Animal Shelter until 60 days from the date of seizure.  At that time, the animals will be turned over to the shelter to be humanely euthanized.  There are no further avenues for appeal with the Town of Garner, but the owner may appeal to a Superior Court Judge should they wish to challenge the decision. 

Courtesy Town of Garner

Wake County Board of Commissioners Votes to Use Higher-Than-Expected Sales Tax Revenues to Meet Critical Community Needs

The Wake County Board of Commissioners today voted on how to allocate the $67 million in higher-than-anticipated sales tax revenues for Fiscal Year 2021, which ends on June 30.

“When we developed last fiscal year’s budget, we proceeded cautiously to ensure that we would be prepared if sales tax revenues plummeted as a result of the pandemic,” said Matt Calabria, Chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “Thankfully, sales tax revenues exceeded our projections, and our prudent financial management left us with a surplus. We’ve chosen to appropriate the surplus to address some of the county’s most critical needs. Among other things, the board is using these funds to create more affordable housing, expand our public health facilities, improve our behavioral health services and reduce our debt load.”

During its regular meeting, the board approved:

• Putting $22.7 million towards the county’s fund balance to ensure it maintains strong reserves as part of its prestigious AAA bond rating from the top three rating agencies;
  

• Devoting $12.3 million to the Wake County Public School System’s debt service; and
  

• Utilizing $32 million for important one-time projects and initiatives.
  

Breaking down the $32 million
The board voted to use those funds in eight key areas:

1. $12 million for a future Public Health Center
   
   The county originally budgeted $62 million in 2017 to develop and build this four-story facility, but cost escalations between 2017 and 2020 forced the county to reduce its budget and shrink the building plan to three stories. With this new injection of $12 million, the county can afford to restore the four-story design and even expand the square footage to meet growing public health needs.
   
   

2. $7 million transfer to the county’s Housing Capital Fund
   
   The board has challenged our housing department to generate 2,500 affordable housing units by 2023, and they’re currently on track to exceed that goal. The additional $7 million investment will enable their high success rate to continue for several more years and possibly support expanding our services that help the homeless.
   

1. $2 million to fund a behavioral health data-sharing pilot project
   
   Some data is collected on people who enter the criminal justice system with drug addictions or mental health challenges, but it’s not uniform or available in one central location. This pilot project would change that. It would create a single database for health, housing, criminal justice and social service information on our “familiar faces” – those who interact regularly with the county or its partners. This data would be used to help break the cycle of recidivism by providing the right services and interventions to those familiar faces.
   
   

2. $1 million to restore funding to purchase library books
   
   In FY2021, Wake County Public Libraries had to reduce its book budget by $700,000 due to the economic downturn. An infusion of $1 million will enable the libraries to purchase thousands of new titles while replenishing perennial favorites in children and adult fiction. It will also expand the collections for youth and adult book clubs, and support our bilingual reading initiative.
   
   

3. $500,000 to fund a study of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office detention center medical services
   
   For several years, the county has seen increased medical, dental, substance use and mental health needs among the jail population. The $500,000 will enable the county to hire a consultant in FY2022 to determine detention medical unit best practices, staffing models, facility needs and financial considerations.
   

1. $150,000 for a marketing campaign to recruit businesses and talent to Wake County
   
   To capitalize on the buzz generated by the recent series of announcements, Wake County Economic Development will use the $150,000 to fund a three-year marketing campaign to increase the county’s brand awareness. The goals are to reinforce that Wake County is the destination for top talent in key industries and the place where companies should expand or relocate.
   
   

2. $7 million to improve the county’s Enterprise Resource Planning System
   
   The county uses a traditional ERP system that houses the core functions of finance, budget and human resources, including payroll, benefits and accounts payable. Many of its processes still require staff to do work on paper or manually. The county is evaluating options to automate processes for employees and residents while making those processes solely electronic. The $7 million would help fund the cost of those enhancements.
   

1. $2.35 million for Wake 2.0 investments
   
   Due to COVID-19, employees in many positions across our organization worked remotely over the past year, proving that they can serve customers effectively from outside the office. Through an effort called “Wake 2.0,” the county is evaluating potential policy changes to accommodate more teleworking while taking a closer look at the kind of workspace needed in this new environment. The $2.35 million could fund facility modifications and IT investments to serve a more remote workforce.
   

These expenditures would amend the FY2021 budget to be accessed now or incorporated as part of the FY2022 budget. Per North Carolina law, Wake County is required to maintain a balanced budget.

Published May 17, 2021 via Wake County

Town of Garner Names New Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director

María Muñoz-Blanco has been selected to become the next director of the Town of Garner’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department.

Muñoz-Blanco brings more than 25 years of experience in the public sector, working at the state, county and municipal level in arts, parks, venue management and grantmaking organizations. Her work in the public sector has focused on improving quality of life in diverse communities, expanding programs and services in the arts and parks, and successfully integrating diverse voices and a broad spectrum of creative organizations and artists.

Most of Muñoz-Blanco’s professional experience has involved working in large metropolitan areas, and she has had direct responsibility for managing annual operating budgets as large as $38 million. She most recently served as vice president in the Leadership Transitions practice of Arts Consulting Group, Inc. (ACG), a bi-national cultural management consulting firm.

“Maria brings a wealth of experience in all areas of parks and recreation, including programming and cultural resources,” Garner Town Manager Rodney Dickerson said. “Her experience in larger organizations should translate well to the Town of Garner as we plan for continued growth.”

Muñoz-Blanco will assume leadership of a nationally accredited department that currently has 12 parks totaling more than 473 acres and facilities including the Garner Performing Arts Center, Garner Senior Center, White Deer Park Nature Center and the soon-to-open Garner Recreation Center.

“I am honored and delighted to join the Town of Garner Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department,” Muñoz-Blanco said. “Public parks and leisure activities are central to the quality of life of a community and increasingly play an important role in health and wellness. This is an exciting time for the Town of Garner and for the department, with a new master plan and new assets coming online to better serve the community. I look forward to working alongside Town leadership, staff and our advisory boards to provide Garner residents with great recreational experiences in our beautiful park system.”

Muñoz-Blanco has served as deputy director of the Fulton County Arts Council in Atlanta; executive director of the Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County; director of cultural affairs for the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs; executive director of cultural affairs for Miami Dade College; and director of parks and neighborhoods for the City of Memphis.

In her leadership role with the City of Memphis, Muñoz-Blanco oversaw a recreational system with 162 parks, 24 community centers, five senior centers, 17 pools, eight public golf courses, a football stadium/fairgrounds and a variety of athletic and sports facilities. 

In Dallas, where she led the Office of Cultural Affairs for nine years, Muñoz-Blanco oversaw 22 city-owned cultural facilities managed through long-term partnerships with leading arts organizations or directly by her staff team.

Her capital projects experience includes planning and opening the $40 million City Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District and a neighborhood cultural center in Oak Cliff, as well as managing $5 million in improvements to the historic Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis.

Muñoz-Blanco has a bachelor of arts degree in arts theory from the University of Puerto Rico, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a master of arts in art history from Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey.

For more information on the Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, please visit garnernc.gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources.

Garner's Station Podcast #15 | Sophia Sandlin, Retired Garner Police Sgt.

After 30 years with the Garner Police Department, Sgt. Sophia Sandlin reflects on her time in Garner, community policing, and crisis intervention.

Help Shape Your Community: Volunteer for a Town Advisory Board or Committee

The Town of Garner is now accepting applications for its resident advisory boards and committees. These are volunteer positions. Serving on one of these bodies is a great way to get involved in your town and to shape its future.

We'll be accepting applications through May 28. Interviews for the positions will occur in June. The application for the boards and committees can be found here.

Here is some information about each body:

Board of Adjustment: This board hears and decides appeals from any order, decision, requirement or interpretation made by the land use administrator or other administrative officials in carrying out or enforcing any provisions of the Town of Garner Unified Development Ordinance, and to hear and decide applications for zoning variances. The board meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Committee: This committee provides recommendations to the Town Council with regard to recreation services, facilities and fee policies. This committee meets every third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

The Planning Commission: The Planning Commission requires proportional membership of citizens residing within the Town limits and within Garner’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Some members are also required to have experience in fields such as architecture, planning, development, landscaping, the arts or other fields related to urban design or appearance. The Commission provides recommendations to the Town Council concerning land use matters, including the consistency of applications for zoning map and text amendments with adopted Town plans/policies, and meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee: This committee serves in an advisory capacity with the Town of Garner in planning, coordinating and directing of programs and activities at the Garner Senior Center. Committee members must be eligible to participate in senior activities by being at least 55 years of age. This committee meets bimonthly every third Friday of odd numbered months at 9 a.m. at the Garner Senior Center.

Veterans Advisory Committee: This committee operates as a public interface between Garner residents and Town officials to explore ways in which to honor and recognize the service of area veterans; assist the Town of Garner’s planning for ceremonies, observances, holidays and events honoring veterans and interact with local veterans’ organizations and assist in the preservation, operation, integrity, maintenance and upkeep of the Garner Veterans Memorial. The committee meets every three months on the second Monday of the meeting months of March, June, September, and December with meeting time scheduled at 9 a.m., at the White Deer Park Nature Center.

For additional information, please visit the Town Boards and Committees webpage or contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 919-773-4406.