Saluda’s new welcome sign has brought questions because what was erected was not the original design and the new design was never approved by city council.

The sign was recently discussed at both the Saluda City Council meeting on May 11 then again during a resident called town hall meeting on Thursday, May 14.

Council discussed the sign following resident Ellen Rogers questioning the procedure during the May 11 meeting.

During the council meeting, commissioner Lynn Cass admitted she misstated that the board of commissioners voted and approved the new sign design. She said she resubmitted a letter stating that the board of commissioners did not vote on the design.

The Saluda Downtown Business Association, which Mayor Fred Baisden and commissioners Cass and Carolyn Ashburn are members, has been working on the new welcome sign, paid for in part through a Polk County Community Foundation Grant. The grant was obtained through the city board of commissioners.

The original design included mountains and after discovering the design looked similar to the City of Hendersonville’s sign, the design was changed, but was never approved by the board of commissioners.

Commissioners voted and approved on May 11 to allow the downtown association to be the grant applicant for the sign instead of the city.

The new sign, located at the corner of Ozone Drive and Main Street (U.S. 176) includes the city’s new logo featuring a train as well as the city’s website and upcoming events and dates.