by Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

 

Tryon Town Council is taking a different approach this year in terms of its water system by soliciting public comments prior to next year’s budget.

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday, Jan. 20 and discussed obtaining citizen input on a variety of topics, including water and sewer rate increases, the future of the town’s water system, tax increases and the town’s strategic plan, which needs updating.

Tryon Town Manager Joey Davis said when the town starts drafting the budget, town officials typically don’t ask for citizen input until the end when officials are discussing possible rate or tax increases.

Davis said the town is considering asking for comments on what they think the town should do with its water system and commissioners agreed.

Polk County Commissioners have asked Tryon, Columbus and Saluda if they want to join in a proposed water contract with Inman-Campobello Water District (ICWD), where the county is considering combining its system with ICWD in exchange for ICWD administering the water services, running water lines and upgrading the Turner Shoals Dam among other partnerships.

Davis said Tryon should ask its residents if there is something to be said about combining with the county, or selling the water system, joining with ICWD or keeping the system within the town.

“The way to get input is to have an open meeting about it,” said commissioner George Baker. “Quite frankly, I’d like to have citizens’ input on it.”

Commissioner Bill Ingham said he’d also love to hear what other people think.

Tryon Mayor Jim Wright said Tryon should have an open town meeting and have people bring what they think the solution is to the water system. He suggested the topic be broadened to include citizen input on the town’s strategic plan as well.

Baker said the meeting shouldn’t be done immediately as the town should give people enough time “to get their thoughts together.”

Commissioner Roy Miller said Mayor Wright has been talking to ICWD and needs to bring other commissioners up to speed.

“Whether it is (joining with) Inman Campobello or Broad River or county-wide or whatever the situation is,” Miller said, “I think the public input is…”

“Imperative,” Baker finished.

Wright said Tryon learned a lesson from its county colleagues, who arrived at a solution for the county’s water system and laid it out to residents.

“I’d rather get it on the front end to say, ‘that’s a great idea,’” Wright said.

Baker said the town should get it out in the open. He said he also thinks one of the things Tryon can consider is having a citizen advisory committee for water.

“We’re just citizens like everybody else,” Baker said.

Davis was directed to organize a meeting for the public to give input on the town’s water system. The town is also soliciting input through emails and other means on the town’s update to its strategic plan.