Town council seeks public feedback on $1.1 million in surplus funding

Black Mountain issues survey for potential capital projects

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 23, 2023

The Town of Black Mountain released a survey seeking public input for potential uses of $1.1 million in surplus funding. Photo by Fred McCormick

Potential uses for $1.1 million in surplus funding was the topic discussion, March 22, as Black Mountain officials held a special call meeting to consider multiple capital projects ahead of the 2023-24 fiscal year. 

While suggestions from members of the town council ranged from the purchase of trash and recycling carts for town residents to upgrades at Cragmont Park, the board agreed to seek public feedback through an online survey before reaching a determination.

The town received $2.6 million through the American Rescue Plan Act in equal installments in 2021 and 2022. The funding was administered as revenue replacement to cover employee salaries, leaving excess funding in the general fund, Town Manager Josh Harrold told the town council.

Approximately $1.5 million was allocated to six projects, including $500,000 for water line replacement on U.S. 70; an additional $500,000 to repair the earthen dam at Lake Tomahawk; $120,000 for dedicated pickleball courts and $65,000 to extend the sidewalk on Charlotte Street. The town also dedicated $195,000 to support renovations at the Grey Eagle Arena.

“As we go through, my intention would be that whatever you decide, this $1.19 million is appropriated in this year’s budget,” Harrold told the board to open the meeting.

Feedback from citizens would be needed to make an informed decision, Councilmember Pam King said.

“I know we’ve talked about this before, and I have a little list and I’m sure every council member has a list and staff have ideas,” she said. “I’d be willing to bet the public has thoughts, too.”

Elected officials directed town staff to create a Capital Project Public Input Survey, which was posted, March 23, on the town’s website. The survey, linked here, asks residents to consider two areas in which the town should invest, including stormwater infrastructure, recreation programming, sanitation and energy efficiency initiatives. Those who fill out the online form are also asked to rank specific projects, such as pedestrian improvements, solar projects for town buildings, park improvements and green infrastructure projects.

Board members discussed multiple possible uses for the funding, including $578,000 to purchase and distribute garbage and recycling carts for all resident. The town council, in its February regular meeting, voted unanimously to pursue grant funding supporting the purchase of 96-gallon recycling carts before identifying funding for curbside carts as a priority in its budget workshop later that month.

Municipal building improvements, including $78, 000 for audio and video upgrades in the town council’s chambers, were also considered.

“We have plenty of need for an upgrade in this room,” Harrold told the board. “I don’t think anything has been changed since we moved into this building in 2006.”

Councilmember Doug Hay considered the possibility of using some of the funding to address town parks.

“This is an opportunity where we have a large sum of money to do something pretty cool, and one of the parks in most need of maintenance and upgrade is Cragmont Park,” he said. “There is so much potential there, with the added space where the fire department training facility used to be, I think we could probably completely upgrade it, and have a beautiful new park.”

Improving Lake Tomahawk was a priority for Archie Pertiller, Jr., who also supported setting aside some of the funding to help purchase a new fire engine.

“There needs to be some upkeep done on the lake, because there are some things that need to be done with the shoreline, especially around the island,” he said. “If we don’t do something about it soon, it’s going to disappear.”

Hay expressed his support for addressing Pertiller’s concerns at the lake, as well as other town-owned recreation facilities.

“Grading the fields at Veterans Park, and upgrading some of those facilities around the ball fields are opportunities for us to do something for less than $50,000,” he said. “It would be nice.”

Bill Christy maintained his view that the town should consider purchasing garbage and recycling carts for residents, while advocating for the review of the parks and recreation master plan.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to Doug’s idea of focusing on Cragmont Park, or Archie’s position on Lake Tomahawk,” he said. “We don’t have a shortage of needs.”

While Hay added he “wrestled a lot with” the idea of spending over half a million dollars on garbage and recycling bins, he cited efficiency, improved service and the safety of sanitation works as his his reasons for supporting the proposal.

“People would be using the garbage (carts) more than the recycling carts, and I’ve talked to people who have contacted me,” Mayor Mike Sobol said, proposing the town consider small, medium and large options to suit the varied needs of residents. “We have a lot of people who are retirement age around here who wouldn’t need a large bin.”

The town will collect the data from the survey and allow public comment regarding potential capital projects in its Monday, April 10 regular meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.