By Becky Long
Publisher
The Clay County Water & Sewer District has reestablished a separate board apart from the Clay County Commissioners who have been acting in the directors capacity for many years.
A resolution changing the make-up of the board was approved during the Water & Sewer District meeting on Dec. 5. The resolution calls for the new board to have three members: a chairman, vice chair and secretary/ treasurer. One of those members must be a county commissioner.
During the meeting, Michael Anderson, Bill Carter and Commissioner Scotty Penland were approved for the district board. The board will work on a rotating basis with at-large members serving four years and the sole commissioner serving two years.
The Water & Sewer District was created on May 1, 1995 and had formerly been under the town’s jurisdiction, but had been overseen by county commission board members for many years. In recent years, the Water & Sewer District has become self sustaining, making strides in infrastructure improvements and administration of services under Director Dusty Beal, agreed county commissioners.
“You’ve done a good job,” said Commission Chairman Rob Peck. “You guys are standing strong on your own in large part because of you Dusty.”
Commissioner Clay Logan echoed his comment. “You’ve done a great job. Starting out in a hole like you did. Taxpayers of Clay County supported this for a long time.”
Commissioner Dwight Penland noted that when the county first took it over there was a “big debt and the lines were 50 years old.”
Residential allocations will need approval of the district board, while larger projects such as an apartment complex will need the commission board’s final approval.
After the Water & Sewer District meeting concluded, the county commission meeting opened. Commissioners heard from representatives of the Peacock Performing Arts Center and approved other board appointments.
Peacock in need
of upgrades, repairs
Bill Battle updated commissioners regarding the status of the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville and asked the commission board to keep them in mind as they pursue avenues to pay for needed repairs to the theater. “I feel like the Peacock is a gem and we don’t want to lose it,” said Battle. “The building is getting old and we have expanded our offerings.”
Battle gave an overview of areas that need repair that brought a price tag of about $200,000. He said the pubic restrooms are in dire need of renovation and expansion and are not ADA compliant; the Peacock is on a 40-year-old septic tank system and the roof was repaired this year, but will need to be completely replaced in 2026 or 2027.
An overview of what they hope to accomplish in the next two years is:
• Restroom expansion/renovation - $60,000 by January 2025
• Hook up to county septic - $45,000 by June 2025
• Roof replacement - $85,000 - $2026-27
• Contingency/emergency fund - Contingency/emergency fund $10,000
Total: $200,000.
“Yes, lots of needs,” Battle said but pointed out benefits from the theater include economic impact, civic engagement, empowerment, youth development and volunteer opportunities.
“The great news is that because of the generosity and partnership of special people, foundations and organizations, we have the funds to cover the restroom renovations and some of the funds for hooking up to county septic,” Battle added.
Sandy Zimmerman, chairman of Historic Hayesville Inc. told commissioners during public comment that HHI designated money from their Trash to Treasure sale to donate $10,000 for the Peacock restroom upgrades.
“I encourage everyone and the commissioners to offer any support you can,” Zimmerman said.
In other matters commissioners:
• Approved reappointments to the Health Advisory Board to four-year terms: Clara Reffitt, Sandy Mazza, Theresa Waldroup, Dr. Jill Brinke, Brian Burch, Dr. Kayla Lawlor, Jeff Ledford, Dr. Ruth Lima and Dr. Rob Peck (commissioner).
• Appointed two members to the Planning and Zoning Board: Randy Canup, alternate and George Gaines, both three-year terms.