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Sylva OKs plan to tax tracts proportionally
By Justin Goble
Sylva officials unanimously approved a plan to tax land partially in town limits last during their regular meeting Thursday (March 16).
Under the new taxation plan, residents who have portions of their land in town limits will be taxed according to the percentage of property within the borders.
For example, for a plot of land of which 12 percent lies in Sylva’s limits, 12 percent of that land’s overall value will be taxed by the town.
According to Planning Administrator Jim Aust, this new system is needed because of the town planning board’s proposed boundary annexation guidelines. That plan would have allowed landowners along the border with less than 50 percent of their land within town limits to fully withdraw from Sylva.
Assuming a “worst case scenario” in which all property owners given that option would withdraw from the town, Aust predicted a drastic loss in the town’s overall size and tax revenue if those guidelines went into effect.
Along with keeping the town’s borders the same, the new tax plan makes it easier to asses taxes to those who own land along town borders, Aust said.
“We have the geographic information system data, and we can provide that to anyone if they have any questions,” he said. “That gives us the ability to tax these people.”
Board member Maurice Moody agreed with Aust’s assessment, saying he believed the town’s borders should only expand.
“Our borders shouldn’t go back at all,” Moody said.
The new plan will go into effect June 1 to coincide with the start of the town’s next budget year.
In other business March 16:
– Board members voted unanimously to back out of a contract with JB Associates.
The agreement, which was signed in February 2004, states that the firm would help design and develop a pedestrian bridge over Scotts Creek at Poteet Park at a cost of $12,800.
Board members said they wanted to back out of the deal because they had seen no progress on the project since the contract was signed more than two years ago.
“We’ve definitely overextended our courtesy,” said Mayor Brenda Oliver.
– A resolution to join the partnership for Working Towards an Inclusive Community passed unanimously.
Board members unanimously voted to join the partnership March 2. However, the National League of Cities, which oversees the program, requires a formal resolution be passed.
By joining this partnership, the town will work to involve people of all races and culture in town government and activities.
– Oliver requested she be replaced on the library board and the county’s greenways commission.
Board member Harold Hensley will replace the mayor on the library board, while Ray Lewis will take her seat on the greenways commission.
– The Mill Street project was awarded to Western North Carolina Paving of Asheville at a total construction cost $133,030.10.
Before giving the award to the contractors, the board approved a $2,600 addendum to the amount budgeted for the project. Town Manager Jay Denton said the extra money was necessary because the project had to be taken to bid again after there was no response to the first bid attempt.
Denton also said work on the street will start as soon as officials from the N.C. Department of Transportation approve the agreement between the town and WNC Paving.
– Aust declared a ban on burning in town limits.
He said the humidity was too low and burning garbage would be dangerous in such conditions. Once the levels are safe again, Aust said he would allow burning to resume.
– Officials unanimously approved the town’s new mission statement, which is:
“To provide efficient, high quality services, enhance a sense of community, encourage partnerships and proactively plan for the future to meet changing needs.”
– A public hearing has been set for Tursday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m. to take comment on a zoning map amendment requested by Paula Elders.
– Board members will hold a 5:30 p.m. closed session before their regular meeting on Thursday, April 6., to discuss Denton’s six-month evaluation.
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