Boiling Springs Council praises Parker, preps for budget approval next month
- Chuck Thompson
- May 6
- 6 min read
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — With Budget Season soon coming to an end, it looks as if Boiling Springs is ready to move forward with approval of their budget next month.
The May Boiling Springs Town Council meeting picked up in full swing after the cancellation of the April meeting. Local Scout Pack 117 were on hand to lead the council and residents in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday night.
Gardner-Webb University President Nate Evans provided an update on things happening at the GWU, mentions two dormitories, Myers and Spangler, are to be renovated soon. Evans also mentioned a new staff member, Jeff Cogburn will be filling Evans old position as Vice President for Advancement, effective June 8.
In a news release published April 29, by GWU, it states, “Cogburn brings more than a decade of progressive experience in higher education advancement, campaign strategy, alumni engagement, and philanthropy. He will lead the University’s comprehensive efforts to deepen relationships and grow philanthropic support.”
The town council then moved on to other business, touching on funds still available from Hurricane Helene disaster relief. This is a USDA Rural Development DAF Grant that was presented to the council by Joshua Carswell; an acceptance of the grant will help to purchase a garbage truck, sewer septic sludge truck, and a police department side-by-side.
During the town manager’s comments, Zach Parker stated the budget would be presented and hopefully voted on during the June 2 meeting. Parker said he looked forward to the presentation and vote, noting Boiling Springs was on firm ground with the budget. Parker mentioned two major projects for the town; the town grant fund and capital project fund which are included in the budget message.
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Parker read part of the budget message Tuesday night, where in summary, he stated, the budget has been submitted for the council’s consideration.
“This year has been one of monumental change for our little town,” Parker said to the council.
He noted how they broke ground on their long-awaited South Main Street and downtown courtyard project, updated their systems with new software, switched to a five-year strategic planning process and adopted that plan. They reset their relationship with GWU, they completed their assessment of the water and sewer system, continue to work with FEMA on Hurricane Helene recovery, fought for grant dollars for infrastructure improvements that will benefit the town, staff training, widen sidewalks, replaced old equipment, sewer lines, repaved roads, launched a media plan to engage with residents, and other needed improvements.
"The annual budget message is the one time a year when I allow myself to become introspective, to reflect on the painstaking work of governance, and to take full stock of our actions over the prior fiscal year,” Parker said.
“While we have done many things and accomplished many objectives and moved many immovable mountains in the past year, the best is yet to come,” stated Parker. “We have many reasons for anticipations and excitement for the next coming year.”
Parker referred to Boiling Spring’s long-term strategic plan, where he discussed the general fund and current revenue distributions, which, in part $320,000 goes to Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue, $225,000 to the contingency plan, $164,500 is paid to Cleveland County. The water and sewer fund is fully self-sufficient. Parker noted since August 2025, The Town of Boiling Springs has acquired over 20 million dollars in grant money for their Capital Improvement Plan, this money has been / will be invested into water / sewer, sidewalk, neighborhood, community, roadway infrastructure.
Parker also touched on the issue of personnel retention and pay, acknowledging that the town has been under fair market value for pay and wants to see that adjusted to a more competitive standard.
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“Attracting, retaining, and motivating top-quality personnel in the hyper-selective market remains a top priority for the town,” noted Parker. “Ensuring year-over-year retention of quality staff while bringing in new, highly motivated employees is essential to keeping training, insurance, and liability costs low.”
He mentioned wages, explaining that Boiling Springs is at least 5% under the market-rate for all positions and is 10% under the market rate for several positions. The proposed budget includes an 8% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and to the town’s current pay scale. This budget does not include an allotment for merit-based increases.
But Parker notes merit-based increases are important and that promotions should be based on performance and not how long one has been in a position only, stating, “As I have said before, the Town of Boiling Springs is a meritocracy. This information is found in Article 1 Section 3 of the Town’s Personnel Policy: Merit Principles. This Section reads, in part, ‘All appointments and promotions shall be made solely on the basis of merit.’ To that end, merit principles will always serve as an important guide when I engage in the Human Resources functions of the town.”
Parker expressed his admiration for the town staff, the council and the residents. He also mentioned one important question, with the answer to follow, “I am often asked, ‘what makes Boiling Springs special?’ On its face, this isn’t a hard question to answer…”
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Parker continued, “I am the first to point out that we have the highest property values in Cleveland County; that our median household income is almost double that of our neighbors; that we have the lowest crime rate and the highest educational attainment in the county; our citizens expect and deserve a high level of service; and that we are the “biggest little Town in the county”. But more than that, more than data, more than mere numbers, what makes us special is simple: it’s our people; our community, our culture, our sense of pride… our 2025 State Championship Crest Chargers Football team, our Division 1 University which offers degrees ranging from Associate level to Doctorates, our churches which pour love into the very heart of our town, our small business community whose resilience and fervor for success would rival that of any major metropolitan area.”
Parker concluded, “As you, the Council, know all too well, governing is a privilege; so, too, is serving in the government. We, the public servants, are entrusted with fulfilling the Peoples' will; in serving the public with the utmost diligence, zeal, and thirst for goodness. And that is what we will do next, continue to serve the public; with optimism, with excitement, with energy. With a will to provide, to protect that which we cherish, and to excel in all things.”
“Our people deserve no less than our best and we will rise to the occasion. As I said earlier, the best is yet to come, Parker said.”
Boiling Springs Mayor Tommy Greene commended the council and staff for how they handled the budget. “I want to commend the council for taking that responsibility… but all of it is done with the pure motive of what’s best for our residents. It’s an honor to lead the council for that.”
Council Member Bill Ellis also spoke supportively of the budget thanks to the “Leadership through Zack (Parker).” And adding, “Budgets are tough, Charlotte’s grifting right now and the state can’t even deal with that (a budget) so I’m glad we put together a budget for the citizens of Boiling Springs.”
“This is the budget we feel is best for the citizens,” added Greene. “It’s a team effort, not just us… everybody. So, I think we’re very fortunate.”
Greene also spoke on the 20 million in grant funds, astonished that Parker and his staff were able to procure the funds for the betterment of Boiling Springs.
“It’s unbelievable. And I would challenge any municipality our size to show me they’ve done better. … I’m pleased with the budget.”
Greene, again, commended Town Manager Parker and his staff for their dedicated hard work.
Council Member Marty Thomas added, "We are extremely blessed in this community."
Council Member Ron Wood spoke about infrastructure, sating "That has saved the tax players – no telling what our budget would have been without that 20 million dollars."
Wood praised Parker’s networking with state and US representatives and senators; lauding Parker’s willingness to work hard toward doing his best for Boiling Springs.
“Assembling the budget is a town sport,” Parker replied to the council. “The work of government is not an individual activity, so I think it’s always great to have folks on the elected board but also we have a great staff, too.”
The next regularly scheduled Boiling Springs Town Council meeting will be on June 2, 2026 at 6:30 at Town Hall.
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.
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