Saluda water customers to receive cutoff reminder

During Saluda City Council’s April 13 meeting, commissioners agreed to spend approximately $240 to mail out a postcard to water customers reminding them of the city’s water cutoff policy. Commissioner Lynn Cass made the suggestion saying there were recently 55 accounts past due. She encouraged customers to get their bills automatically drafted out of their bank accounts. Saluda recently had approximately $7,000 in past due water bills. Prior to the city enacting new policies, Saluda had $30,000 worth of delinquent water bills.

Polk commissioners hear from employee on county insurance

The Polk County Board of Commissioners heard from a sheriff’s office employee during its April 20 meeting who asked the board to consider a different insurance policy next fiscal year. Ronnie Smith said he has paid $1,697 worth of copays this year and high costs for one particular medication.

Polk approves collecting Saluda’s taxes

Polk County has officially agreed to collect the City of Saluda’s property taxes beginning next fiscal year. Commissioners met April 20 and unanimously approved collecting the city’s taxes in exchanged for a 1.5 percent collection fee. The county already collects the Town of Columbus’ taxes. Saluda requested the county collect its taxes earlier this year. The new collection will begin July 1.

Farm to Fork drew 265 guests

Polk County Commissioners heard an update during its April 20 meeting on the Polk County Ag Center’s fifth annual Farm to Fork dinner. Patrick McLendon with the ag center said the dinner was fantastic from pastured pork to potatoes and greens from CooperRiis. There were 265 guests including about 25 volunteers

Polk County Jail to purchase new kitchen range

The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a new kitchen range for the jail this week. Commissioners approved a budget amendment to transfer $6,678 from the jail’s part-time salaries to jail capital to make the purchase.

Polk to keep same auditor

Polk County has decided to stay with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, who has been the county’s auditor the past three years. Polk County Finance Director Sandra Hughes said she did not seek bids this year and Dixon Hughes has agreed to hold the same price. Hughes told commissioners she will go out for bids next year on the auditor contract. It is common for local governments to change auditors at least every four years.

New Polk Rec baseball league begins

Polk County Manager Marche Pittman reported to commissioners this week 116 players signed up for the new baseball league. The county decided to take over baseball and softball programs this year after the Little League/Cal Ripken organization decided not to continue. Pittman said there are one or two teams for every age group. He added that next year should see more participation as 40 of last year’s players had already signed up for other leagues. Practices began this week with the season including tournaments and 10 games.

Polk makes appointments to volunteer boards

During the Polk County Board of Commissioners’ April 20 meeting, Sharon Capps was appointed to the Polk County Council on Aging; Alan Breeden was appointed to the Polk County Mental Health Advisory Board; Bill Ennis was appointed to the Polk County Planning Board and Chauncey Barber, Marshall McGuinn and Bruce Odel were appointed to the Sunny View Fire District Tax Commission.
LABA meets to hear Clydesdale parade plans
The Landrum Area Business Association and other community members met Wednesday at Landrum City Hall to hear an update from parade organizer, Patty Otto, on plans for the April 29 Budweiser Clydesdales parade. The parade lineup will include the Wells Fargo stagecoach carrying children of bank employees, mini horses, donkeys, Tryon Hounds riders, a carriage with children from the TROT program, a carriage of veterans, the Gypsy Vanners, ROTC, an equine rescue vehicle, mounted shooters, a mounted group of Civil War re-enactors, and more. The Clydesdales will be at the end of the parade lineup. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at Trade and Rutherford. Students from Landrum’s schools have produced more than 100 works of art related to the parade, all of which will be on display at Landrum’s businesses.