The Talking Rock Town Council approved a $3,000 allocation from its special projects fund to cover the initial setup cost for a proposed downtown billboard after a motion and voice vote during the meeting.

The cost will cover the town’s portion of the billboard’s startup fees, with participating business owners expected to sign an addendum and pay a monthly share for ongoing costs. Mayor (role) said the town would pay the $3,000 setup fee and have legal counsel draft an addendum spelling out how participating businesses will contribute and how funds will be handled.

Why it matters: Business owners said a shared billboard could help direct visitors downtown, but several said they felt the town has not consistently supported businesses or completed prior projects. The discussion highlights tension between limited municipal budgets and business expectations for promotion and infrastructure support.

The council’s presentation said the town’s part of the startup cost would be drawn from the special projects account. Amanda (Town staff) circulated the contract and packet materials to council members for review and said participating businesses must sign an agreement; Seth (legal counsel) will review the agreement and prepare an addendum identifying business contributors and payment mechanics. The initial contract term discussed was 12 months.

Several business owners spoke during public comment. One business owner asked why the town would not also share the recurring monthly fee; she said, “I feel like the town of Talking Rock should have to pay for the sign as a whole,” and pressed for transparency on the town’s advertising budget. Another business owner said the $100-a-month estimate (approximate) for the billboard subscription was less important than the principle of shared ongoing contributions. The council responded that the town would pay only the startup fee and that businesses could elect whether to participate.

Council members emphasized the need for a signed agreement before the town transfers funds and said the attorney would prepare an addendum identifying business participants and specifying how the town will receive any reimbursements. Mayor (role) said, “We’re gonna send this document. … Mary, if you wanna get with Amanda and see what it takes to move forward … our legal counsel will review it, and then we’ll have to draft up that amendment.”

Outcome and next steps: A motion to allocate $3,000 from special projects for the billboard passed on a voice vote; the minutes record the vote as approved. The council directed staff to have the contract reviewed by legal counsel and to prepare the addendum listing business signatories and payment flow. Council members said they will re-address the arrangement after the first year.

Context and business concerns: During the public comment period, multiple business owners criticized the town for slow progress on long-discussed projects (sidewalks, a town sign and a pedestrian bridge) and said they had invested time and money but had not seen commensurate municipal follow-through. Business owners urged clearer budgeting and suggested more regular promotional activity and event support. Council members said they are pursuing grants, ADA-compliant sidewalk plans and DOT permits and noted constraints including engineering requirements and flood‑plain rules for the bridge.

Other town officials encouraged business owners to join the council’s working groups (which meet at 5:30 p.m.) and to provide estimates or lead efforts to secure bids and grant applications. Amanda (Town staff) said she would provide QuickBooks access and the contract packet to interested parties.

The council set the matter in motion with immediate funding for startup and instructions to return with a legally reviewed contract and addendum that list participating businesses and payment terms. The council also noted it will reassess after the initial year.

Ending: The council scheduled follow-up work with legal counsel and asked the business cohort to sign the addendum to formalize monthly contributions and project oversight. The council said the arrangement can be readdressed after the first 12‑month term if needed.