BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — In support of local festivities, the City of Inez pledged a $2,000 donation to the Inez Volunteer Fire Department for their Fourth of July fireworks display, marking the contribution’s second consecutive year.
The decision came during a city meeting on Thursday where Assistant Fire Chief Nick Endicott expressed the financial challenges of hosting the event due to rising costs.
“We try hard to do a good show,” Endicott remarked. “With the rising cost of everything, it’s hard for us to do it on our own.”
Endicott said the event is tentatively scheduled for July 6, weather permitting.
Along the same lines, the commissioners followed Mayor Ed Daniels’ recommendation. They agreed to contract Shelia Maynard’s company for the maintenance of restrooms at the upcoming Appalachian Artist Festival scheduled for Aug. 3 in downtown Inez.
The meeting also saw discussions on civic improvements, including a proposal for a new “Welcome to Inez” sign. Commissioner Nita Collier has been tasked with researching prices and will report her findings to the commission.
The commissioners also discussed having a cleanup along the creek in July.
Collier raised concerns about the architectural aesthetics within city limits. She asked if the city had an ordinance specifying the types of buildings that can be built in city limits.
“My thinking is a big metal warehouse,” Collier said. “I don’t think we want that on Main Street. If they had a big metal warehouse, at least have some frontage with some brick or something.”
Commissioner Jennifer Wells mentioned that there were “condemnable” buildings in the city that had previously received letters from the commission.
“We need a little control,” said Collier. “I’m not trying to block anybody out; just make sure the street front stays nice.”
Inez resident and former longtime city clerk Candy Crum told the commissioners that the city would need a building inspector to carry that out.
“We don’t need barns and metal buildings and those types of things,” remarked Collier. “There has to be something we can do.”
Crum advised, “Talk to your attorney. Ask your attorney what you can do.”
Additionally, Mayor Daniels led the first reading of the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which forecasts a general fund carryover of $110,000, total income expected at $166,806, and various allocations for municipal expenses, including Local Government Economic Assistance and Municipal Aid Road Funds.
The budget, detailed with specific fund allocations such as $37,869 for expenses and transfers and $30,784 for total MARF expenses, will undergo a second reading on June 18.
In addition, the city commissioners endorsed a partnership with the Transportation Cabinet, securing $11,920 for the 2025 Municipal Road Aid.