Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Swain County Board of Commissioners have responded to a request from business owners in the county to help level the playing field. Currently, beer and wine outside of city limits are available at a select few locations that qualify under special designations like resorts. A few who own convenience stores have requested they too be able to take part in this profitable business.
On Tuesday, April 16, during the board’s regular meeting, the commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution that a referendum for the sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine for off-premises be added to the ballot this November.
If a majority of voters support it, it would legalize the sale of these beverages countywide.
Commissioner David Loftis shared his thoughts first.
“This is a tough one for me, chairman,” he said. “I wouldn’t care if all the alcohol in the county was gone, but I sort of thing we gotta let the people of the county decide where to go with this.”
Given the current state of alcohol sales in the county, he said he was in support of letting stores that are located out in the county be allowed to sell it as well.
The commissioners had some discussion over which options to give voters, considering both on- and off-premises sales of malt liquor, or beer, and wine.
Off-premises sale is for purchases like getting a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine at a gas station and then taking it home to drink. On-premises is for places like restaurants or taprooms where people can order a drink and enjoy it there.
Loftis suggested sticking to off-premises.
“We don’t want to see bars all over the county,” he said.
Commissioner Phil Carson was in agreement.
Commissioner Roger Parsons agreed it responded to the request they heard, and they adopted it unanimously. (Commissioner Kenneth Parton was absent.)
Finance
In other matters, the board approved the tax collection and finance reports. The total percentage collected year-to-date is at 117% at more than $7.76 million. The general fund is at over $16 million year-to-date at 34.98% collected. The TDA quarterly report showed revenue for the quarter was at more than $1.49 million and expenses were at $1.36 million.
The board approved budget amendment 6 for a total of $309,000. This included
• $30,000 reimbursement to Swain County Rescue Squad do to a clerical error on their part • $40,000 to Board of Elections to conduct this year’s second primary
• $70,000 to Register of Deeds for state share record
• Remaining to West Swain, Alarka & Bryson City Fire Departments and Rescue Squad
Lottie Barker, interim county manager explained each fire department is allotted $25,000 a year that goes into a public capital reserve fund and the amounts in the amendment were paid invoices submitted and covered by that fund. She said the funds roll over into new budget years per department if the money isn’t spend.
The board also approved an agreement for attorney fees for tax collection and foreclosure work with Ridenour & Goss PA. The services range from $2,000 for simple and up to $5,000 for complex cases.
Charge for pavilions
During public comment, the board heard from two employees of the sheriff’s department employing them to raise salaries for county service employees. In addition, Elise Bryson spoke to the board saying she didn’t believe the recreation fees to use pavilions was right. She said the costs wasn’t comparable to other counties and stressed these facilities funded by taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be an expense for residents who want to have events like birthday parties or reunions.
In other actions, the commissioners approved a letter to be submitted to the NC Secretary of Health and Human Services in support of Vaya Health becoming the statewide administrator for the NCDHHS Children and Families Specialty Plan in collaboration with Partners Health Management. They also approved an agreement to transfer payments for the parking lot at the Visitor’s Center for 8 years at an annual cost of $35,000. The board tabled a fire protection agreement with the town and a right-of-way agreement.