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By Jim Buice

For the Clemmons Courier

LEWISVILLE — After being consumed with talking about the future of the local fire service and staggered terms for elections in recent meetings, the Lewisville Town Council broadened its discussions to a number of topics in its annual retreat.

Highlighting the “old” in the two-day gathering in February was looking at the town’s aging infrastructure.

Town Manager Stacy Tolbert said that between the streets needing continued maintenance and stormwater systems reaching their end of life, the staff wanted to keep the council aware of what assets the town has and how they need to be managed.

“The town maintains just under 56 miles of streets, and with every street generally comes some form of stormwater device,” Tolbert said. “We are being much more efficient with tax dollars and creating a pavement preservation program designed to lengthen the life span of our streets. Whether it be by timing, updated techniques, or by other means, we strive to be good stewards for the best outcome for our residents.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Tolbert said that the town greatly cares about “new” clean renewable energy and being mindful of the footprint that is left behind.

“Currently, with the help from our Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Committee (ECSC), we are working to create a percentage baseline to determine where we stand when it comes to renewable energy,” Tolbert said. “Once that baseline is established, we hope to continue to reach renewable energy goals in every area we can.”

Public Works Director Jon Hanna reported on the town attaining goals of an earlier resolution by putting solar panels on the Mary Alice Warren Community Center along with electric vehicle charging stations and LED lights where feasible at Shallowford Square.

He added that next steps included integrating renewable goals in the new public works building (the former post office), Duke Energy programs, use of green contractors, purchasing recyclable products and educating residents on energy usage while also encouraging the ECSC to think beyond recycling.

Tolbert said she also presented to the council what properties the town currently owns that are vacant with some direction to find out more.

“Once information is obtained, such as costs, appraisals, etc.,” she said, “the council will discuss at a later date what these properties may or may not be used for in the future.”  

Other topics included doing a compensation and pay study with a presentation from Erika Phillips of the Maps Group.

“There are so many factors that go into hiring employees, training them, and then hoping they stay with the organization,” Tolbert said. “The town finds it important to retain staff, so they gave direction to do a pay study, which was designed to look at all factors of our pay and benefits to ensure they are competitive in today’s market. We are coming close to completion of the study just in time for the budget, so further discussion may occur.”

The meeting also included a segment on volunteers through boards and committees with the council able to hear from the leaders in the various areas on their functions, work being done and the concerns they have.

“Over the years, volunteers have been a part of many great things here in Lewisville,” Tolbert said. “We’re excited to see what the future holds.”

Also in the retreat, Tolbert reviewed the “state of the town” in 2024, including taking a look at accomplishments, projects and more, adding this will feed the 2025-26 fiscal year budget and provide a task list for the year.

In other Lewisville news, it was announced at the retreat that council member Julie Puckett had submitted her resignation from the council. Puckett, who was a political newcomer when elected to a council seat in 2023, was in her first term serving on the council.

Puckett mentioned that she regretted the inconvenience of her decision but added she would always value the opportunity. 

She provided the reasons she made the decision to resign her position: “My personal commitments along with my work schedule have made it impossible for me to give the council and town the time it requires to be fully engaged and effective in my position. With all that has occurred in my personal life this past year, along with the fact that in less than a year I will be moving out of North Carolina, I find that I have too many requirements on my time and mind, and find myself not able to provide the necessary commitment to my council position.”

The council planned to fill the expired term at today’s (March 6) briefing and action meeting with the oath of office being administered next Thursday (March 13) at the regular council meeting.