By Sarah Richardson
White Sulphur Springs City Council reviewed a growing General Fund deficit during its January meeting, with expenditures continuing to outpace revenues both for the month and year to date. Council also heard public comments ranging from the closing of a longtime local business to concerns over sidewalk accessibility and ongoing city improvement projects.
Recorder David Dillon reported that the General Fund month-to-date revenue was $183,405.85, and the total monthly expenditures were $223,291.08, for an overall deficit of $39,885.23. The General Fund year-to-date revenue is $1,037,483.81 and year-to-date expenditures of $1,302,096.75 for a deficit of $264,612.94.
Kennedy Black, owner of Tootsie’s Place, spoke before council following her closure of her business after five years of operation. “I just wanted to take a minute to thank City Council, the citizens of White Sulphur, the tourists, and the visitors that we’ve had in White Sulphur just to say thank you for all the support I’ve had over the past years.”
“You’ve been a bright spot in this town,” said Mayor Thomas Taylor. “Kennedy, we thank you for your hard work and we wish you success in the future.”
Next, resident Mac McIntire spoke to council to voice displeasure of the placement of utility poles “in the middle of the sidewalks” around town. Saying, “Accessibility is everything,” he stated double poles on sidewalks are a hindrance for all.
Mayor Taylor then reported that Lynch Construction won the bid on the Mapledale Tank Project and it “will be moving forward.” Another project making progress is the Ridges Project. He said they are getting ready to approach the County Commission for a meter project. “Our meter system is deteriorating,” Mayor Taylor reports. The new meters will have something called “acoustic leak detection,” and will also be able to tell if they are freezing up. “We will also have the capability of adding a valve to control water shutoffs from City Hall, which is wonderful.”
Next, Mayor Taylor said that three city employees are retiring or have just retired, and that Rusty Byer has been sworn in as a police officer patrolman and as the code enforcement and zoning officer for the City. “Approximately 40 properties have been identified as having ordinance violations. In the coming weeks, violation letters will be delivered. We are going to start cleaning up our properties, we’re going to start making White Sulphur Springs shine. Enough is enough. I’ve had enough. I’ve lived here for my whole life, and these dilapidated properties are consuming us, and they will be dealt with.”
In other news, Councilmember Audrey Van Buren said that softball signups are starting, and that their season will begin in March. For little league, they have to respond to the City with game days and practice times at Hope Village. If they fail to do so, “they won’t be able to utilize the field because of insurance purposes.” She said she will continue to try and reach out.
Citizen David Leadman approached Council with financial concerns about roughly $1 million that he alleges was “removed from a secure location, and basically put into the Greenbrier Valley Foundation” years ago, and a lengthy discussion was held that included the details of trusts.
Next, Mayor Thomas discussed the financing of one of the fire department’s tanker trucks that requires a $35,000 yearly payment. “I don’t understand that, I can’t wrap my head around it. We have to do something. That payment comes out in the month of December. I don’t like that at all.” He said there is a refinancing option for monthly payments, which he said would be “easier to deal with” than one large yearly payment. It was motioned to refinance the payment into 12 monthly payments.
In closing, Taylor thanked council for “pushing forward with me, this is not an easy task by any means at all.” The next meeting of the White Sulphur Springs City Council will be Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
