Polk County commissioners have agreed to join Columbus, Saluda and Tryon in discussing issues that affect all four local governments.

The idea of holding joint meetings was first initiated by the Columbus several months ago. Interim Columbus Town Manager Bob Shepherd asked Tryon, Saluda and Polk County to join for a meeting.

Columbus and Polk County so far have tentatively agreed to meet June 8. Commissioners&bsp; requested the meeting begin at 7 p.m. and Columbus has agreed to host the meeting. County commissioners have also requested the entire boards meet.

The idea of joint meetings is not new in Polk County. Several years ago the towns and the county began meeting with elected representatives and managers. The issue of water quickly rose to the top of topics and joint meetings continued for a couple of years until the towns and the county split on the issue of whether to join in a water authority.

The three towns chose not to join an authority and instead go on their own. The county went on its own to purchase Lake Adger and enter into an agreement with Inman-Campobello Water District and Broad River Water Authority to run a water line through Polk County joining those two entities. Polk owns the water line through the county, which runs through Green Creek and has been working on extending water lines to those who need it in Polk County.

It is unknown what the entities will discuss in the meetings, but recycling is what spurred Columbus to request the meetings.