A Clayton resident asked council whether new development pays for the additional municipal services it requires, and the town manager said a consultant is conducting a cost-of-service study to answer that question for Clayton specifically.
John Scarpa, a resident, asked whether new development adds to the tax base and "does it pay for itself, or does it cost us additional monies in terms of fire, police, water?" The town manager replied that the town has engaged a consultant to model demand and revenues and determine how different property types affect municipal costs and revenues.
Nut graph: The study is intended to quantify service demand from residential and nonresidential properties and to inform policy decisions on growth and economic development.
The town manager told the council that, based on studies seen from other jurisdictions, purely residential "rooftops typically put a higher demand than the dollars that they bring in from the additional revenues," and nonresidential development is generally the stronger revenue source. He said Clayton's current mix is approximately 80% residential and 20% nonresidential and that the economic-development director has been pursuing opportunities to attract more commercial, office and industrial development. The manager committed to publishing the consultant's final report so the public can review the analysis.
Council discussion included a reminder about North Carolina zoning law when considering development questions; one council member asked Scarpa to research the state zoning law and said they would discuss property rights and compatibility questions later. No formal council action was taken; the item was raised during informal public comment and a staff response was given.
Ending: Town staff said the consultant's report will provide a definitive, Clayton-specific answer and that it will be shared publicly when complete.