BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Inez Council met for their regular October meeting with donation requests to assist with the needs of a popular Christmas event and the needs of the volunteer fire department heading the list.
Representatives of the Martin County Tourism board were on the agenda to speak about the Christmas In the Mountains Event, with Linda Webb, Brenda Davis, Stephanie May, Linda Booth, Jerrod Slone in attendance.
City Commissioner Terry Fraley requested to speak before hearing from the board and the Inez Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Ed Daniels approved his request.
“As a city commissioner, knowing that with the upcoming election our council body will soon change, I feel that we should move to help both the tourism board, and our fire department,” said Fraley. “I would like to make a motion to have the following approved: To donate a $1,000 contribution to the Inez Volunteer Fire Department and let the next council decide if they want to do more, and a $1,500 donation to the tourism group to be used toward the Christmas In the Mountains event, as well as lending city street worker Turell’s help to assist with the board’s needs while working on the festival, allowing a total of 32 hours.”
“He was very valuable to us last year,” remarked Linda Webb. “He and Commissioner Dennis Hall’s help was very appreciated.”
The tourism board asked for a recess to discuss among themselves if Fraley’s recommendation would suffice, and the motion was granted. Upon returning to the table, Webb asked if the city would consider a $2,000 donation rather than $1,500, explaining that there were quite a few sets of the lighting that needed to be replaced with a more cost-efficient LED type, and listed the associated cost. The request was approved.
Webb remarked on the many compliments the city and event organizers received last year, and said it was something to be proud of.
“We are in this together,” said Fraley. “And your group’s dedication is a testament to why the event is such a success.”
Former City Clerk Candy Crum was in attendance and asked if events would grow to include the community of Warfield in the future, pointing out that the group is identified as Martin County Tourism.
Webb said they would love to be able to expand, but must overcome current financial restraints to do so.
Tourism volunteer Stephanie May requested that Nov. 15 be the deadline to have all the Christmas lights up and on display in Inez, and that word be spread for downtown businesses to also have their storefronts and window displays complete by that date as well.
Moving on with additional business, Mayor Daniels said he spoke with Judge-Executive Colby Kirk, who had reviewed a contract signed in the 1960’s saying that the county would maintain the creek banks within the city. According to the mayor, Kirk has yet to hear back from the U.S. Corps of Engineers to see what laws have changed over the last 60 years governing what work is allowed without permits, and what would be required. Updates will be provided as information is disclosed.
“Will the fiscal court be able to afford to do this work?” asked commissioner Fraley.
“I’m sure they would have to apply for grants,” replied the mayor. “That type of work doesn’t come cheap, especially if they have to contract it out.”
During his report, Street Commissioner Dennis Hall said ditches in the city were in the process of being cleaned out, to avoid overflow and run-off that damages the streets. Updates are being completed to reinforce drainage as the cleanup process is performed.
Regarding old business, an ordinance to adopt Kentucky Avenue and Boardwalk into the city street plan was read for the first time. A second ordinance had the first reading for the tax rate for real, personal and tangible properties within city limits to be set at .092, with no increase from 2021. Both ordinances will have their second reading at the November regular meeting of the city council. A copy of each will also be sent to City Attorney Brian Cumbo for review.
A question was raised about the addition of two streets into the city street plan: how could the maintenance department keep up with the demand during inclement weather? A recommendation was made to look into the price of a salt spreader that could be attached to the city street department truck. All council members agreed to research the idea and tabled it to the next meeting.