TWSA to assist El Bayadi with sewer connection fees

By Rose Hooper

TWSA board member Marion Jones originally made a motion for the board to contribute $4,500, but when only Mickey Luker supported the motion, it did not carry.

A second motion by Jim Cochran proposing the reduced contribution did carry, although it was not a unanimous vote.

The $2,000 contribution came after a renewed request by El Bayadi for the board to provide financial assistance to connect sewer service to 7.6 acres he owns and plans to develop on Business 23 adjoining Sylva and just inside the Dillsboro town limits.

"When Nagui came before you in January, you suggested he get an engineer's estimate on what it would cost to connect to the TWSA sewer service, and we now have that," said attorney Ben Bridgers, who is representing El Bayadi in this matter, as he distributed packets to each member.

While the property has water, it is the "missing link" for sewer service from Sylva and Dillsboro, Bridgers pointed out.

"We've got four players in this," Jones said. "There's Nagui, Dillsboro, TWSA and the county. Why can"t we split the cost four ways?"

Chairman J.C. Alexander responded by saying that TWSA couldn't commit Dillsboro or the county.

"O.K., then I amend my motion to simply make TWSA's contribution $4,500," Jones replied.

"I've known Nagui since I moved here; we're friends and this has nothing to do with him, but if we put the authority's money in private development, we're setting a precedent, and I have a real reservation about setting that precedent," said board member Joe Carter.

"We've had non-profits like churches ask for our assistance, and we did not help them. If we don't help non-profits, how can we help a private developer? I donšt think we can legally give TWSA money to a private developer," Alexander said, directing his statement to TWSA attorney Raymond Large.

"Yes, you can make contributions," Large said.

"We're not here to be rubber stamps," said Jones. "Each case is to be considered separately on its merits, and with the revenue this development will bring, it certainly has merit."

Bridgers quickly calculated that the 16,000 square foot of property proposed for commercial development, at $50 per square foot, and the 24,000 square feet of proposed residential property, at $35 per square foot, would be valued by the county tax assessor at $1.6 million.

"The county is the one who will benefit the most," said TWSA Executive Director Jerry King. "For our investment, it will take several years to recoup."

"If you have six commercial units built up front right away, you have your impact fees to assess for sewer service," Hart Goodson of Country Classic Real Estate said. "What's that ­ $750 times six?"

It's $750 for the first hook up, $650 for the next three and $500 for each unit above four, King replied.

"It looks to me like the impact fees alone would cover your costs," said Goodson.

In other information presented Tuesday, King reported to the board on the joint meeting of municipalities he attended Feb. 15 in which Sylva Mayor Brenda Oliver proposed a subcommittee to review TWSAšs original transfer agreement with the municipalities. (See related story on page 2A). Each municipality has agreed to appoint one member to that subcommittee.

"This action concerns me and I hope it concerns the board," King said.

Alexander agreed. "If this board gets changed dramatically, some of us may not be here."

Back to Archive: 02/22/01.