Commission debates Cashiers incorporation

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Jackson County commissioners, meeting in regular session Tuesday, began discussions on several agenda items, including a resolution in support of giving Cashiers residents an opportunity to vote on incorporation.

As a general rule, board members talk about, but take no action on, agenda items during their first regular meeting of the month. Action is reserved for the following Tuesday meeting.

Both sides of the Cashiers incorporation issue were present for Tuesday's meeting, with those in favor of the effort asking board members to approve a resolution supporting a special referendum. The resolution, if approved by the board, would be forwarded to the N.C. General Assembly, which is considering the proposal based on legislation introduced by Sen. Bob Carpenter (R-Macon).

The resolution being considered by the board was handed to members by their attorney, Paul Holt, at the last minute Tuesday. It replaced two previously submitted drafts, said Chairman Stacy Buchanan, who voiced concerns about a bare-bones draft that simply called for giving the people of Cashiers the right to vote.

"This new resolution will go to Rep. Phil Haire (D-Jackson), who wanted action by this board before he would support it," Buchanan said.

If approved, the resolution in support of a vote in Cashiers calls for certain restrictions should the measure be approved. For example, while the principle of allowing those affected to vote on the matter was not questioned, commissioners requested that subsequent legislation for incorporation include services for residents. Also, Cashiers' elected officials must not exercise any extra-territorial jurisdiction, the resolution says.

The resolution also emphasizes several times that commissioners "do not endorse or oppose incorporation of the Cashiers area."

Pointing out that county officials are rarely involved in municipal incorporation decisions, board member Joe Cowan asked why the commission was being asked to take a stand on Cashiers.

"Phil Haire wanted us to do this," Commissioner Eddie Madden said.

"(Haire) is awaiting us to make a decision before he makes a decision," Buchanan added.

"I'm a tad resentful to have this come up here when it doesn't have to," Cowan responded. "This is a local issue that needs to be decided by the local people. This sounds like sharing the blame and passing the buck."

While pointing out that he was not speaking for Haire, Madden, who represents the Cashiers area on the county board, said the state representative had received a list of more than 240 names of those opposed to incorporation in addition to the request with 180 names of those in favor of the issue.

On the side opposing incorporation, Mary White read for commissioners the petition against the measure. Those who signed it cited at least six reasons incorporation should not be considered, including a loss to the county of some $180,000 in sales tax revenue, which could be made up by additional ad valorem taxes; the community had not been given time to decide the services to be offered, the structure of government or the size of the resulting town; that the council/manager form of government was excessive for the area and too costly; that the services suggested are not wanted or needed by the residents; and that they oppose zoning in the area.

Buchanan said he could support the resolution being considered because some of those who signed the petition against incorporation have requested the right to vote on the matter.

"I'm concerned about how this incorporation thing will affect our community," Madden added. "The only way I know how to put this to rest once and for all is to allow the vote to happen. I think the vote may begin to put our community back together."

In addition to considering action on this resolution, board members next week will take up the following:

- A $73,810 contract with Waste Management of Homer, Ga., to ship and landfill construction and demolition material from the Mineral Springs transfer station.

- Changes to the memorandum of agreement between the county and the Economic Development Commission of Jackson County.

- A request from county Manager Ken Westmoreland to hire a consultant to assist in sorting through employee health care proposals.

- Selection of a new auditing firm to replace longtime auditors Crisp, Hughes and Evans.

- Two resolutions involving roads: Adding a portion of McCall Road to the Department of Transportation's maintenance system; abandoning a section of Lloyd Hooper Road. Both roads are in the southern end of the county.

Appointments to the following boards will also be taken up Tuesday:

- Public Library Board of Trustees

- Region A Aging Advisory Council

- Board of Health

- Smart Growth Task Force

- EDC of Jackson County

- Travel and Tourism Authority

- TTA of Cashiers

Before adjouring their meeting, commissioners met in closed session to discuss ongoing negotiations to purchase property. Four sites have been identified as possible locations for a new Department of Social Services building. Being considered are D&R Properties in Webster, a tract owned by Sybil Reed near the State Employees Credit Union, another owned by Mike Cooper on Savannah Drive in Sylva and property owned by WestCare Health Systems near Sylva Medical Center.

Board members are scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. today (Thursday) for the first of several budget workshops. This meeting and their next regular session, which is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, will be held at the Justice Center.

Back to Archive: 03/13/03.