Town Council agreed to pay Tony L. Johnson to "provide conceptual scoping and construction budget cost estimates" for potential renovations to the Public Safety Center, the community pool bathrooms, Town Hall finance office, and the Town Hall break room.

Knightdale town officials said Johnson's expertise was needed for the town to make the most of its money.

"The reason we wanted a consultant is to get each of the projects scoped out and priced. That way, we'll be able to prioritize them," Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen said.

Johnson was chosen because of his experience working on other town projects such as renovations to Main Street and design consulting for the East Wake TV building, Lawless said.

No other consultants were considered.

Johnson will be paid $90 an hour with a total of no more than $5,000.

Knightdale has budgeted $7,500 for renovations to the finance office; $10,000 for renovations to the break room; $25,000 for renovations to the Public Safety Center, and $55,000 for renovations to the pool bathrooms.

Killen described the bathrooms at the pool (located in the Green Pines Subdivision) as "old, and just really worn down."

"If you've seen it you know they need an overhaul," he said.

Officials wouldn't go into detail about the needed renovations to the Public Safety Center, only describing them as "an effort to improve the building's security."

Public Safety Chief Shawn Brown couldn't be reached for comment.

Officials hope they can reconstruct several walls in the finance office to turn cubicle spaces into individual offices.

And the break room, Lawless said, needs plumbing and electrical repairs, as well as a stove, oven and a new microwave.