By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — City Council voted unanimously to approve a financial software package at Monday night’s meeting.

Council members considered MUNIS, by Tyler Technologies, Inc., which is used in 98 county and city governments as financial software. Financial director Shannon Moore joined a representative from Tyler to explain the benefits of replacing the software.

Moore explained the software during its first phase would be used for utility billing and cashiering, sales tax reimbursements, accounting, purchasing and budget modules, costing $350,000. It could also be used across departments.

“I don’t think we have any software in the city that’s multi-departments, multi-functional,” Moore said. “Every department pretty much has their own software that they’ve chosen to perform various functions across the city.”

The city currently uses MUNIS for payroll and HR functions.

Mayor Pro Tem David Post asked about whether they could also approve phase 2. Moore said the MUNIS will take some time to transition.

Larry Ford spoke about MUNIS during the public hearing — the only person to sign up to address council members.

“I’ve been delighted to hear this conversation that’s been going on about this thing,” Ford said. “This is important city business. I appreciate all that you are doing.”

Scott Shelton, the vice president of operations for Rowan EDC, gave a presentation about Project Arizona and Project Care and asked for a public hearing for Oct. 2. Shelton said the two projects would create 136 new full-time jobs and add about $256 million to the city’s tax base. He added that they were competing against facilities in Europe.

“It will be very well-paying jobs, well above the city average for manufacturing positions.” Shelton said.

Council member Brian Miller commented about the value these two projects could bring to Salisbury.

“This is very important to Salisbury to not only anticipate this but win this company and make this kind of investment in a facility here,” Miller said. “This is a good thing. Not only for the incremental value of the jobs and the tax base but for retaining those jobs and tax base that exists already. This is a no brainer in my mind and something that I’m already excited about.”

Council members unanimously approved the public hearing.

Police Chief Jerry Stokes gave an update to City Council. He said the theft rates are up in the city. He also said the police force is overstaffed — a goal of city council — and are working on community policing.

“This way we’re able to do a bit more problem-solving and engagement efforts as well for community policing,” Stokes said.

Three parcel sales were authorized, including on 110 North Main Street, 200 block of West Henderson Street and 600 block of Caldwell Street. Miller voted nay on the Caldwell Street parcel.

City Attorney Graham Corriher asked council to approve an ordinance to clarify that firearms are banned at city parks and other city of Salisbury facilities. Council members passed the ordinance.

Several council members and city manager Lane Bailey spoke at the end of the meeting of their gratitude to city staff for their work preparing for Hurricane Florence and during the storm.

Mayor Al Heggins announced five proclamations on National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Day, Welcoming Week, Suicide Prevention Month, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Salisbury Go Transit.

The next city council meeting is Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 217 South Main Street.