Sylva official questions SPIR funding

By Lynn Hotaling

First-year town board member Eldridge Painter, who took office in December, raised several questions about Sylva's annual financial contribution to Sylva Partners in Renewal.

Painter said he remembered board discussion last fall that included eliminating a $20,000 yearly payment to SPIR.

"In deliberations on hiring a town manager, it was mentioned we wouldn't be needing money going to SPIR because we would hire a town manager," Painter said. Mayor Brenda Oliver, a former SPIR board member, said she remembered SPIR funding being discussed during those closed sessions but didn't remember any decision being made.

Board member Maurice Moody, who is married to SPIR's outgoing president, said he recalled someone mentioning it might be a good idea to combine SPIR with town government. A number of downtown revitalization groups across the state are under city governments, Moody said.

"I don't think (the downtown streetscape project) would have happened without SPIR," Moody said. "It would be a mistake if (SPIR) went away."

Painter also questioned what he said is a duplication of services since the town now has a full-time manager.

If town government and SPIR remain separate, there is no duplication, Moody said.

"I just don't see it," Painter said. "I'm sorry, I just don't see (spending) that extra money."

SPIR only involves one group of town merchants, Painter said, and the city limits stretch past the downtown business district.

SPIR intends to expand to other areas of Sylva, Oliver said.

When board member Audrey Tritt asked if the $20,000 was to "hire a director," Mayor Oliver replied that the money would go toward maintaining SPIR's office in the Hooper House.

Sylva board members have contributed financially to SPIR since the organization's 1995 inception. Initially, board members provided an annual allocation of $30,000; recent yearly contributions have been $20,000, the same amount requested for the next fiscal year.

Sylva's annual allocations to SPIR are made from UDAG funds, which must be used for the town's economic growth and development.

While SPIR was the driving force behind the 1998 streetscape effort, funding for the project came from town coffers. Sylva officials in September 1997 authorized some $350,000 to be spent on the streetscape and also paid much of the cost of replacing an antiquated Main Street sewer line during construction.

Oliver brought the debate to a close by saying that the SPIR allocation didn't affect the budget for the next fiscal year and suggested they move along to discussion of the proposed $1.62 million budget for 2002-03.

"It affects money - that's the way I look at it," Painter said before allowing discussion ot move on.

Turning their attention to another potentially controversial subject, board members discussed fire contracts between Sylva and its neighboring towns of Dillsboro and Webster.

Currently each pays Sylva $3,000 per year for fire protection provided by the Sylva Fire Department. Sylva has earmarked some $93,000 for its fire department in its proposed budget.

Though Sylva officials have requested a $7,000 increase - to $10,000 - from both Dillsboro and Webster for fire protection, they have only included $3,000 from each town in their proposed budget.

"We've really got to address (the Webster and Dillsboro contracts)," Moody said. "Their residents are getting the same service as Sylva and getting the benefit of Sylva's low insurance rating."

Painter agreed that Webster and Dillsboro were not paying enough.

"We're giving the service away; (Webster and Dillsboro) need to pay their share," Painter said. "Webster's tax rate is only 4 cents."

McHargue said he thought one-on-one meetings with Dillsboro and Webster officials would be necessary to settle the issue.

In another fire-related funding matter, board member Tritt recommended the board reconsider paying water and sewer fees for all active and retired firefighters.

Currently the town pays half the cost for 18 retired firemen or their widows and 100 percent of the water and sewer costs for the nine active firemen who have water and sewer service available.

Tritt recommended the town continue to pay half of the retired firefighters' bills but discontinue payments to future retirees. She also suggested stopping payment of any active fireman's water and sewer costs.

"We're currently paying reimbursements for nine firefighters, but there are 21 more we don't do anything for," she said. Instead, Tritt proposed a cash bonus for all active firemen - something like a Christmas bonus.

Also at Thursday's work session:

- Town leaders spent little time discussing Sylva's residential trash contract.

Town Manager McHargue said the proposed budget includes trash pickup at the current rate.

Sylva's current hauler, Country Collections, has proposed to hold the line on rates for the coming year, provided the town agrees to a five-year contract with the company.

In its five-year proposal, Country Collections has offered to provide garbage and recycling collection to the town's 1,000 households for the current rate of $4.89 per household per month ($4,890/month). Should Sylva leaders choose a one-year contract, the price would increase to $6.18 per household ($6,130/month).

Rival hauler GDS of Hendersonville offered to provide the same service for $6,87 per household ($6,870/month).

"Financially, it's best to go with Country Collections," McHargue said.

Town officials are expected to approve the budget and award a trash contract during a special meeting Tuesday, June 25. That session will follow Sylva's required budget public hearing, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. on June 25 at City Hall.

Back to Archive: 06/20/02.