Fletcher adds library branch funding to legislative priorities as town seeks state and federal assistance

Fletcher's town manager presented the town’s legislative priorities and asked the council to consider adding federal and state assistance for a new Fletcher library branch as a formal priority.

The list otherwise retains items from last year: support for town center infrastructure, opposition to unfunded mandates (citing MS4 stormwater permit obligations), expanded grant funding for recreation and law enforcement, fairer community and economic development funding for Western North Carolina, local-option revenue tools, funding for water and sewer expansion to unserved areas, road maintenance funding through DOT, and workforce housing resources.

"The new one, item 10, is about federal and state resources for development of a Fletcher Library branch," the manager said, noting he and the mayor had recently met with Connor Brown, a representative from Congressman Edwards' office. The manager said staff need to update cost and size estimates from a prior facilities study before pressing the delegation for assistance.

Council members discussed retaining language preserving local zoning control and whether to add advocacy relating to Hurricane Helen reimbursements and individual assistance for affected residents; the manager said he would draft specific language and circulate it before the next meeting.

On the project list, the manager noted license-plate-reader cameras recently funded and installed at several locations (exact siting to be confirmed with the police chief), the King Creek Greenway extension remaining on the list, and a revised estimate for a Fanning B Road sewer extension (about $900,000 if grant funds are not obtained).

Next steps: staff will update cost estimates for the proposed library branch, draft language on local control and hurricane-related advocacy if council wants it, and bring the revised priorities and project list back to the council for approval.