LANDIS — The Board of Aldermen on Monday spoke to several residents’ concerns about whether taxpayer money is being spent appropriately, while approving two voluntary annexation requests.

Mike Nelson of Matthews, who bought property on Kimble Loop to retire, said he worries about not being able to afford to live in Landis.

“Now I bought this property,” Nelson said. “I closed on it May 22 of this year, and then I see the article in the Salisbury Post about the tax increases, the utility increases, $100,000 for Christmas lights, and I start wondering whether I can afford to retire here. I put my home on hold, my new home, and I’m just waiting to see now.”

Nelson said in Matthews, his water bill was $50 a month and his electricity bill was $208. In Landis, his water bill is more than $100 and his electricity bill is $315.

“The saving grace is my property is in Duke (Energy’s) area, and that was a win for me, I felt like,” Nelson said. “I just wanted to meet you all and let you know how scared I am.”

Mayor Mike Mahaley responded: “That was not true about the Christmas tree lights. You were not at last month’s meeting. … That was a total electric override budget. Very few Christmas lights were going to bought — about the same amount we purchase every year. That was a mistake on some reporting. It did look awful.”

Mahaley credited the high electricity and water bills to residents’ usage.

“I can understand. I can sit up here and defend all the stuff that you want,” he said. “We have people who live in this town that have a $600 a month light bill. We have other people who live in the same house and they have a $200 light bill. … We have the same thing with water.”

Mahaley ended the exchange saying, “Don’t give up on us.”

Ralph Lacks brought up road conditions and whether the town is going to repave roads or it he could bring in his own resources.

“We got a lot of roads to pave,” Mahaley said. “We’ve got a lot of people that we’re trying to do this for. Some wasn’t done right. Contractors put things in, and it wasn’t done right, so Landis never took the road over. There’s a lot involved in it. If we can do it and we’re responsible, we’ll get to it.”

Lacks questioned how tax dollars are being spent and asked if he could opt out of the municipal tax and repave the road himself.

“If y’all don’t want to do it, I’ll figure something else out,” Lacks said. “Just take me out so I don’t have to pay city taxes. I pay for city taxes. What are we paying for? I don’t understand what we’re giving our money for.”

Two voluntary annexation requests were approved for Patsy Dori LLC on Pinnacle Way Drive and Grove Construction Co.

Brandon Linn, town planning and development administrator, said 41 permits have been issued for family dwelling, the majority for True Homes LLC.

“We’re anticipating a lot more to be issued in the future, of course, in 2018, but more so in 2019 with the plans that they have in place,” Linn said.

Alderman Tony Corriher commented, “I’m just glad this puts off the tumbleweeds getting together for a little while,” a response to a comment made at the June meeting by the Rev. Adam Love of Zion Street saying people are moving out of Landis because it is too expensive and that “tumbleweeds will be rolling through the streets.”

The board also unanimously decided to end city mowing at the Old Corriher Field that is independently owned. The town will discontinue mowing at the end of August.

Before the board went into executive session to discuss personnel, N.C. Rep. Larry Pittman, R-83rd District, introduced himself.

“I basically come to these meetings trying to learn things that are going on,” said Pittman, who is running for re-election in November. “I heard some stuff tonight that I found very interesting, and it sounds like you have some problems. I just want you to know if I can help with them, I’m ready, willing.”

Alderman Seth Moore was absent from Monday’s meeting.

The next Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled Sept. 10.