CHINA GROVE — The town board slightly changed its proposed budget Tuesday when it voted 4-1 to increase the percentage of money allocated to merit pay raises and decrease the amount dedicated to cost of living increases.

Mayor Pro Tempore Lee Withers led discussion on the budget and proposed making the changes in employee pay increases. Withers’ motion passed with Councilman Mike Upright as the only one voting against. It was the only amendment proposed during a portion of the board’s regularly scheduled meeting. The China Grove Town Board also set its budget public hearing for June 16 at 7 p.m.

Withers’ change doesn’t increase total expenditures. In a short appeal to fellow council members, Withers expressed his frustration with cost of living increases. He said merit pay increases do a better job of rewarding employees who perform exemplary work. Cost of living increases, he said, give all employees — hardworking or not — a blanket increase.

“I am a fan of rewarding employees that do their job, or do their job above and beyond what’s expected,” Withers said. “I just hate the (cost of living increase) process. It doesn’t allow you to reward those who really do a great job. Those who just get by get the same amount too.”

Originally, China Grove’s proposed budget set a 5 percent cost of living increase and 2.5 percent pool of money for merit pay increases. Withers’ proposal changes the cost of living increase to 2 percent for all employees. Included in the budget is a 5 percent for merit increases.

If the town council passes the budget in its current form, it would be the first time since 2009 that employees have received a pay raise.

In other business from Tuesday’s meeting:

• The town board briefly considered whether to add an extra cent to its proposed tax rate to help pay for a new fire truck that’s estimated to cost up to $675,000 and other fire department expenses. No action was taken.

Town manager Ken Deal said adding 1 cent to the property tax rate would generate about $28,600 in additional tax revenue per year. In China Grove’s current budget, the proposed tax rate increase is 2 cents per $100.

Deal said the estimate that’s been cited as the cost of the fire truck — $675,000 — is a top-end estimate. The total cost could vary, particularly if the town opts to purchase a used truck.

The town will soon need of 24 air packs for the fire department, according to Interim Fire Chief Mike Zimmerman. The current budget includes money for eight air packs.

The town originally budgeted to partially use grant funding for the air packs. The total amount originally budgeted in town funds for the air packs was $30,000.

A grant application to purchase the packs was unsuccessful, Deal said. As a result, the town’s current budget includes a total of $276,000 from its cash reserve. The money will be used to pay for air packs and balance other parts of the budget.

The budget still includes a $500,000 loan and down payment of $175,000 for a new fire truck.

• The town board questioned Time Warner Cable representatives about Wi-Fi hotspots installed around China Grove.

Locations of the hotspots include town hall, the community building and parks.

Initially, the town board thought the hotspots would be free and provide access to the Internet, said Mayor Don Bringle.

Time Warner Cable representative Karen Challis instead said the hotspots provide free access to Time Warner Cable subscribers and affiliate companies. Non-subscribers only receive a limited amount of free Internet time. In town hall, non-subscribers receive one hour per day of free Internet time. At other locations, Challis said the 30 free minutes per month is allowed. After the free hour or 30 minutes, a payment is required to continue browsing, she said.

“We kept saying it doesn’t make sense and we know it doesn’t make sense now,” Withers said.

Upright said he didn’t believe the town council’s original intent was to provide unlimited access to any member of the public. Other members of the council agreed.

• Bringle said the South Rowan Christmas Parade may not occur in 2015.

He said the two current organizers aren’t interested in putting the event together any longer. As a result, Bringle said the Town of China Grove and the Town of Landis are looking for volunteers that might be interested in being parade organizers.

Bringle said he approached Landis Mayor James Furr and several councilman to see what their interest would be in ensuring the parade continues. Landis officials said they “wouldn’t put any taxpayer money into the parade,” according to Bringle.

Bringle said the South Rowan Christmas Parade may not occur in 2015 if volunteers aren’t found.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.