Politics

Hendersonville candidates Q&A

By Bill Moss, Published: October 24, 2013

What will happen if the $6 million Berkeley Park bond issue fails, and if the bond passes how will the city repay the bonds?

RON STEPHENS: "I too am very much in favor of the park. I voted against the bond because I think we can build that park over time without another tax increase. We're going to have a tax increase of 3 cents. The mayor says we don't know that yet because we don't have a budget yet. This is for money that we've already spent. The interim city manager and our finance director recommended that we raise taxes this year but it wasn't convenient to raise taxes this year because it's an election year. So we took money out of the reserve fund. If we don't have a savings next year of $500,000 — and it couldn't be found this year —taxes are going up next year 3 cents. If we pass this bond they go up 6 cents, and for everybody in Hendersonville taxes will go up 15 percent. That's a lot of money. ... We got a million, two-hundred thousand (grant) for the Oklawaha walkway from Jackson to Berkeley. I think it's great. That's going to be a great addition to the city. The other thing nobody ever talks about is maintenance and security. This is going to cost money to maintain if we put in all these facilities. So we've got to do this over time without borrowing more money."

BARBARA VOLK: "I look at the park as an investment in economic development. It will be a draw for people. It will be one more reason for people and businesses to want to locate here. I think the sooner we can do it the better off we'll be. If we put it off it's going to cost more. Inflation is going to cost more."

* * *

Jerry SmithJERRY SMITH: "The city agreed to a $4.8 million development. We wanted to actually change the amount of the bond but we were told if we changed at that late date it would blow the whole thing out of whack and we couldn't have it on the ballot this fall. There's a first phase, $2.4 million, and a second phase, $2.4 million. As we're required by law, if we borrowed $6 million we estimate that would be a 3-cent tax increase. However, that does not include is $1 of grant money or $1 of reserve money. So honestly I would say it's closer to $4 million, which would be a 2-cent tax increase. If it does not pass, right now there is a one-lane going in" that needs widening and bathrooms need to be upgraded. "If we don't do it all at one time we will piecemeal it over five to 10 years and we'll scrap together money to do it. But if we want a high level park and the citizens choose that then they can vote for the bond issue."

JEFF MILLER: "Why should we borrow money right now to build a park that the entire county is going to use? We should involve the county in it, we should get private business it. There's just so many things hanging out there. We still don't know if the economy's coming back. We could have another stumbling block thrown at us. The park's not going anywhere. I'm opposed to borrowing money for a park. We can work on this and pay as you go. We can still go for the grants. I'm not opposed to the park I just don't like borrowing money to do it. We're already $12 million in debt. We've already got a pretty good debt with the water meters."

DIANE CALDWELL: "The property's there. It's not going anywhere. Even if the bond passes, it's permission to do it; it doesn't mean we have to. I agree we should study it. Can we get a grant, can we do it little by little, can we get the county to participate, what businesses are willing to be a part? There are always other options. ... I'm not in favor of a tax increase."

JEFF COLLIS: "At this point it's in the voters' hands, and they'll decide where it's at. Everybody here has a record with City Council. We all have records. I'm proud of mine. We're in a small town here. I don't think anybody's had a problem picking up the phone calling me. Don't feel like you need a committee to get your voices heard. Our staff, I do want to say, we've thrown some of our fire department and zoning staff under the bus here today. There's nothing further for the truth. (At a ribbon cutting for a new development) I had a national developer run across the parking lot and chase me down to tell me how great it was working with the city, and I think that's a prime example. Go on our web page. It tells you exactly what you need to do, all you have to do is click on 'how to open a business in Hendersonville.' If you have problems pick up the phone and call us."