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Despite funding cuts, DSA passes budget for 2006-07
By Justin Goble
Though the Downtown Sylva Association (formerly Sylva Partners in Renewal) saw 90 percent of its town funding cut recently, the organization will continue.
The association’s board passed a new operating budget during a meeting held last Wednesday (July 12). The $39,400 in revenues includes a $2,000 contribution from the town of Sylva, along with $5,000 in special donations, $12,000 from special events, $5,000 in facade grant income, and $14,500 from previous fund-raising efforts.
Of that money, the group plans to spend $5,000 on the facade grant and $12,000 on special events. The rest of the budget will pay for office expenses and the salary of DSA Director Linda Gillman.
Board members said in a press release Monday (July 17) that, while “conservative,” the new budget would allow them to continue downtown revitalization efforts.
“The newly adopted budget reflects the reduction in the town’s financial investment in DSA; however, the budget will allow the organization to pursue the goals they established at their retreat in June,” the release says.
These goals include determining support from property and business owners regarding a Municipal Service District; continuing with the next phase of the Mill Street project, which calls for the construction of a “community gathering place near the current town parking lot off Railroad Avenue;” and offering more events in the downtown area to “increase traffic to locally owned businesses while enhancing our city center’s economic development.”
The MSD, which Gillman calls the organization’s “number one goal,” involves assessing an extra tax to property owners in the downtown area. The funds garnered from that tax would be used to help pay for DSA’s revitalization projects.
In passing the budget, DSA board members also decided they would be able to continue the facade and historic paint color grants. When town board members cut funding to the organization, DSA officials said they would indefinitely suspend these programs. However, last Wednesday’s budget meeting showed that the grants would be able to continue.
“Because these programs are funded by monies raised through special projects rather than from operational funding provided by the town of Sylva, members of the board felt that the DSA should continue with this important program, which benefits not only small business owners but helps to create a more economically prosperous downtown for everyone,” the release says.
While waiting to see if an MSD would be feasible in the area, Gillman said the organization is trying to raise money through private contributions and grants to help pay for revitalization projects.
“We think we can raise enough money to make up for the shortfall,” Gillman said. “We will be fine. We’ll just have to struggle a little more.”
Sylva’s contribution to the DSA was cut from $20,000 to $2,000 during a June 15 budget work session. Board members Harold Hensley, Ray Lewis and Danny Allen voted in favor of the cut, while Maurice Moody and Stacy Knotts voted “no.”
Business owners filled town hall during a July 6 meeting to question the board’s decision. Though supporters spoke for nearly an hour at the meeting, Lewis, Hensley and Allen said their minds were made up and would not change their votes.
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