On Monday, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen adopted a $1.88 million budget for the town, which does not include a property tax rate increase or higher water or sewer rates.
This comes after the town was hit hard by Hurricane Helene nine months ago and continues to recover from the storm’s destructive impact.
On Monday, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen held the regular meeting for June at the Old Fort Town Hall.
The board held a public hearing about the proposed 2025-2026 budget for the town of Old Fort. Mayor Pam Snypes said the recommended budget of $1,885,500 does not include a tax rate increase. The town’s property tax will remain at 42 cents per $100 of property value.
Furthermore, the water and sewer rates will remain the same as last year and the cost for trash pickup will not be changed.
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The town’s water and sewer systems are in need of upgrades and these needs existed before Hurricane Helene. The hurricane caused severe damage to both systems.
In addition, the town stopped doing dumpster collection for commercial businesses. Snypes said the town was losing money by performing this service.
The recommended budget for next fiscal year calls for the addition of a new employee in the Old Fort Police Department as of July 1.
On Monday, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen held the regular meeting for June at the Town Hall.
Snypes said the plan has a pay increase for town employees. All town workers will get a 3% pay raise.
“The employees deserve every single penny they can get,” she said. “This last year has been, if you excuse my wording, pure hell for them. And I think every single one of them deserve what we were able to provide and then some.”
Town Administrator Renee Grindstaff said the proposed 2025-2026 budget is $500 more than the 2024-2025 budget. “Which is remarkable given what this town has been through,” Snypes said.
The budget was approved unanimously.
The aldermen also approved the water and sewer tap fees, effective July 1. Any water and sewer taps installed will be at the owner’s expense and will be performed by a licensed and insured contractor and shall require an inspection by the town of Old Fort.
Old Fort Library
In other business, the Old Fort Aldermen heard a report from Marlan Brinkley, director of the McDowell County Public Library. He announced that the Old Fort branch library will officially reopen Tuesday, July 1, after being closed for nine months due to the damage from Hurricane Helene. He added the Marion Davis Memorial Branch in Old Fort will actually be open before July 1.
In addition, the library is holding Tuesday events at the Bud Hogan Community Center where folks can stop by and make crafts with the staff from the Old Fort branch. The Bookmobile will also be available at the Frisbee’s Piggly Wiggly parking lot.
On Wednesdays, the Old Fort branch library has Storytimes at the Depot, where every child who attends will get a craft kit to take home. On Thursdays from June 19 through June 26, the Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League will make dulcimers from recycled materials. The Bookmobile will also be there at the same time, said Brinkley.
A special event will take place at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Mountain Gateway Museum’s office on Catawba Avenue. The library’s Book Club will be there and they will be reading “The Guests on Earth” by author Lee Smith, said Brinkley.
Catawba Ave. street improvements
In addition, the Old Fort Aldermen heard a report from Case Neal and Alex Gotherman with the consulting firm of Destination by Design. Neal and Gotherman spoke about the long-planned streetscape design for Catawba Avenue.
The project is intended to improve the look of Catawba Avenue between Railroad and Water streets. When completed, it will result in roadway realignment, on-street parking, landscape beds, improved sidewalks, pavers, underground utilities, better furnishings, striping and signage and lighting coordination. It will be paid for with grant money and funding from the McDowell Tourism Development Authority and there should be no cost to the town of Old Fort, Neal and Gotherman said.
Old Fort aldermen voted to enter into a contract with Tennoca Construction for the building of the streetscape project at a value of $1,418,206 along with some alternate features which could be done later.
Snypes said the streetscape project has been in the works long before Hurricane Helene happened.
Mill Creek Park
The aldermen also heard a report about the planned Mill Creek Park. When completed, the park will be located at the site where Faw’s Hardware store once stood beside Hillman Beer. It will have a walking loop, benches, landscaping and parking.
After hearing the report, the aldermen agreed to seek bids for this planned park.
Police report
In another matter, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen heard the monthly report from the town’s Police Department.
During the past month, the town’s small police force reported three felony drug investigations, four misdemeanor drug investigations, eight motor vehicle accidents, one vehicle chase, 15 arrests, 45 vehicle stops, four parking citations, one larceny of construction equipment (recovered), 10 driving with suspended licenses, five expired vehicle registrations, 21 assisting with another agency, four vacation property checks for residents, five suspicious persons, 15 assisting with unlocking vehicles, three residential alarms, 23 false alarms for a business, four breaking-and-entering incidents and one child abuse investigation. The number of 911 hang-up calls was too many to count, town officials said.
The town officials announced they will not have a regular meeting in July. The Independence Day parade will happen on Friday, July 4, starting at 4 p.m. with the lineup at 3 p.m. The yearly rodeo will take place Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4. The fireworks show will start at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4.
