During their meeting Tuesday, West Pelzer Town Council approved a resolution in support of road paving and amended the 2021-22 budget to reflect American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that will be coming to the town.
The balanced budget shows Revenues and Expenses of $479,664; Water Sewer Fund Revenues and Expenses of $654,196; Hospitality Tax Fund Revenues and Expenses of $36,000 and the addition of the ARPA Funding with Revenues and Expenses of $235,489. Total budget is $1,405,341.
Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 as a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill. Within ARPA, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund provides $350 billion for states, municipalities, counties, tribes, and territories, including $130.2 billion for local governments split evenly between municipalities and counties.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is responsible for overseeing the program. West Pelzer is set to receive $235,489 this year, and the same amount next year. Mayor Blake Sanders said the funds will likely be used for capital projects such as remote meter reading and a public works facility. He said Council will have a work session early next year to discuss possible projects the funding could be used for.
With two councilmembers, Jim Riddle and Johnny Rogers, and the mayor present, Council unanimously approved a resolution of support for a request for funding from the Anderson County Transportation Committee for paving on Morgan Street.
According to Mayor Sanders, the street is the last street in West Pelzer to be paved on an original list of streets submitted under former Mayor Peggie Paxton. Morgan Street currently has a new home under construction and is expected to have at least 12 more homes eventually built on it, Mayor Sanders said.
West Pelzer Public Works Department completed seven work orders during the Month of October.
ReWa will have a rate increase as of Feb. 2022. Current rate of $12 base; $5.86/1000 for Residential will increase to $12.38 base and $6.27/1000.
The current rate of $12 base and $5.57 /1000 for Commercial will increase to $12.38 base and $5.96/1000.
Police Chief Scott Stoller reported the department had 18 reports; 2 arrests – one drug related and one malicious damage to property; one arson working with Anderson County Fire Department investigations; one larceny from a storage building, 15 tickets written, 28 warnings and two motor vehicle collisions, one being a hit and run.
Stoller also reported that Sgt. Rickey and Sgt. rogers have completed Critical Incident Team training. “this improves our agency’s ability to deal with those experiencing mental health or other crisis situations.
Council amended the 2021-22 operating budget to reflect the ARPA funding.
The balanced budget shows Revenues and Expenses of $479,664; Water Sewer Fund Revenues and Expenses of $654,196; Hospitality Tax Fund Revenues and Expenses of $36,000 and ARPA Rund Revenues and Expenses of $235,489. Total budget is $1,405,341.
Mayor Sanders reminded residents that the town’s burn ordinance allows burning on the first and third Wednesday and Saturday of the month between November and March.
The West Pelzer/Pelzer Christmas parade will be held Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m.
West Pelzer Town Clerk Paula Payton will be recognized for achieving her Master of Municipal Clerk certification at the Dec. 7 meeting of Council. Payton is one of only eight municipal clerks in the state to achieve the certification.
