BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Inez City Commission left several items on the table at Thursday’s meeting.

Mayor Ed Daniels said Ronnie Worrix, an engineer who works for Inez businessman Jim Booth, contacted him about annexing Park Place into the city road plan.

“That would include all but the street where you turn into the post office,” Daniels said. “That belongs to the county because of the post office.”

Commissioner Dennis Hall noted that Park Place needs signage and markings.

“So it would be our responsibility to put signs up?” Hall asked.

“Yes,” replied Daniels.

Daniels said if the city does not adopt the street, Worrix will offer it to the county.

Inez City clerk Lisa Mollett asked how it would benefit the city.

“There wouldn’t be any that I know of,” said Daniels.

“Just tax revenue to get it set up and to keep it maintained,” Commissioner Terry Fraley said. “The burden would fall on us to scrape it during the winter.”

“It’s probably a good thing if we do it and a bad thing if we don’t,” said Hall. “It is in the city and they pay city taxes.”

Commissioners agreed to table the issue and get estimates on the cost of installing signage and markings.

Daniels asked commissioners if they had thought about Alliance Water Resources manager Craig Miller’s proposal in July for the city to partner with Martin County Water District and the county on a $45,400 to $56,200 cost of an engineering plan for water and sewer line replacement and sidewalk upgrades.

“I would like more information on it,” said Hall.

Fraley concurred with Hall.

The commission voted against sharing the cost of replacing asphalt in the Inez Volunteer Fire Department parking lot in an area where a drain collapsed.

“I’m not going to vote for it,” said Fraley.

“Not to sound mean, but since we have only two parking spaces through the week, I’m not going to vote for it either,” said Hall. “The fire truck backed in there and busted our sidewalk, and then the drain caved in. I don’t see where we would be responsible for it.”

Commissioner Lisa Wells asked how long it had been that way.

“It’s been like that for over a year,” Hall said.

Wells, Hall and Fraley were not in favor, while Daniels abstained from voting.

Daniels announced that he had completed FEMA paperwork to get the city reimbursed for the cleanup cost after City Hall flooded in July.

“FEMA representatives have visited residences that got washed out during the flood,” said Daniels. “Some places got hit hard…We will get more information as time goes on. We should get back 75 percent of our money, if not more.”

Hall gave the street report, saying the city worker had been busy cleaning up after the flood.

“The walking trail is a mess, too,” said Hall.

Wells said she had reviewed the city’s monthly financial books and all were in order.

Candy Crum, who has been filling in as clerk and training Mollett, praised the new clerk.

“She’s catching on quickly,” said Crum. “I’m very proud of her. She is doing great.”

Inez First Baptist Church pastor Casey Carver discussed the possibility of stocking the creek with fish.

“I don’t think putting them in the creek is a really good idea because people in Louisa would be catching them,” said Daniels. “Look at Milo Lake and maybe the reservoir. People are catching really big fish up there.”

Carver also suggested the city start recognizing residents who keep their yards clean, possibly with a monthly award.

Inez Volunteer Fire Department member Jarrod Slone asked if commissioners had decided on his request in January for $20,000 of the city’s $99,000 ARPA funds to match a USDA grant. The fire department plans to use the grant to purchase equipment for the Inez Volunteer Fire Department.

“The fire department has always tried to be a good neighbor,” Slone said. “We’ve helped with clearing out drains, we’ve helped with washing out storm drains, we’ve helped repair the ‘Welcome to Inez’ sign and things like that when asked. I feel like the commission is probably in a position to help the fire department some, and that’s why I am back.”

Wells asked if the fire department had applied for a grant.

“We’ve already applied,” said Slone.

“Could you give us another list of what you’re asking for?” asked Wells.

Slone said he would get the list to the commission by next week.