Johnston Reporter

Town of Selma issued the following announcement on Feb. 18.

I remember a simpler time in Selma when there wereno concerns about Historic Downtown District parkingwhatsoever. Let us talk about how times have changed.

Allow me to take a moment to thank our Selma TownCouncil for being amazing partners through this first year of aggressive improvement. The guidance and wisdom of our four council members has been invaluable as we navigate a rapidly changing environment. Our town is better in part because of the efforts of our Johnston County commissioners, our North Carolina General Assembly representatives and our United States Congressional representatives and we thank them for their support.

We have been blessed with and are thankful for a host of churches, civic organizations and businesses in Selma that are using their resources to reinvigorate our community. The financial and sweat equity investments these groups are making in Selma have gone a long way to activating our town. We are most thankful for the residents of the Town of Selma.  Frankly, without you, none of this is possible. The foundation of this community is the people that call Selma “home.” 

I am proud to report this to you: The Town of Selma is rapidly improving. Selma’s priorities have changed to face the challenges of growth and fulfill the need of our taxpayers. Our town is focused on serving our current and future residents. We are building a culture of excellence.

Our Mission: The Town of Selma strives to provide an outstanding small-town experience coupled with the amenities of an economic hub for industry, technology, and commerce by delivering exceptional services to our citizens and community stakeholders.

Our operations are improving to prepare for an increased population. Funding for safety has been this council’s top priority. We have secured eight new Selma police vehicles.  We anticipate the arrival of a new Selma Fire Department fire engine and we have increased the salaries of our Selma first responders and public works employees. Plans for a second police and fire station are in the works. Public works is increasing operations to better serve our citizens. These departments must continue to be properly funded and improved to ensure a safe and secure Selma.

Selma has experienced a substantial financial improvement that started in fiscal year 2020. The years prior had seen decreases in our overall fund balance, a central indicator of a municipality’s fiscal health, as our town regularly spent more money than it took in from fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2019. Between fiscal years 2020 and 2022, the Town of Selma’s fund balance has increased by $2,641,778, with the greatest fund balance gain of $1,378,536 in fiscal year 2022. This is the greatest fund balance gain in the history of our town. This result is a testament to having the right people in place to get the job done.

We are making significant strides with improvements to our infrastructure. The Town of Selma secured funding for water and sewer improvements throughout the town over the last year.

Our plan is to make sure the infrastructure underneath our roads and properties is strong before we move forward with major improvements above ground. We have received $8.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to take care of most of our Brack Wilson Pump Station relocation project. This project will help our sewer operations significantly while rehabilitating sewer lines and manholes. We have started a major water expansion project with $6.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act Funds. These funds will help locate and acquire additional well sites to expand our water plant operations and increase our overall water capacity. Our increased water capacity will ensure we can serve Selma customers for the near future and provide water capacity options for the region along with the Golden Leaf Funds we have received for a stormwater study to assist us in identifying where drainage improvements are needed.

Our relationship with our local organizations and surrounding communities has improved in the last year. We have had better communication and better cooperation with many of our community partners. Our neighboring towns and our Johnston County government are building a working relationship. We have made gains in the acknowledgment that, through this time of unprecedented growth, we must rise together to meet the challenges we face head-on.

The quality of life in Selma is improving. Thanks to the many stakeholders, business owners and residents of Selma, our town has sprung to life over the last two years. Their drive to do more and do better has prompted our government to do more and do better.  The Town of Selma has worked hard to advance its procedures and operations to meet the needs of an invigorated population.

Excitement has come back to the Town of Selma with our Selma Railroad Days festival and our Selma Christmas Parade.  We have been proud to participate in the Rockin’ on Raiford concert series sponsored by our local business owners. We are building a great tradition by hosting the JoCo Latino Festival.

As the Town of Selma moves into the near future, we will go from a state of improving to a state of excelling. Our capital improvement plan is being redeveloped to create a town that will go beyond meeting the needs of our citizens. We are working to ensure our revenues outpace our expenditures going forward by creating a revenue-focused strategic plan. Our town will provide a solid foundation for those that seek the best to build on at the “Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation.”

Our Vision: The Town of Selma pursues a first class quality of life by being an innovative, proactive, and inviting community that is building on our tradition as a transportation crossroads and railroad town.

We are quickly becoming the Town that Selma was meant to be. We are preparing for our future.

Original source can be found here.