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Local Republican group urges Sullivan County to halt courthouse parking-lot paving plans
Summary
At the May 5 meeting, Diane Gainer of the Sullivan County Coalition of Republican Women told commissioners the group is “totally against” paving the county parking lot across from the courthouse and urged fiscal restraint amid school-tax uncertainty; commissioners said the project is not finalized and cited safety and funding considerations.
Diane Gainer, a member of the Sullivan County Coalition of Republican Women, told the commissioners at their May 5 meeting that the coalition is "totally against the project" to pave the county parking lot across from the courthouse and urged officials to exercise fiscal responsibility given uncertainty around school taxes.
"With so much uncertainty surrounding school taxes right now citizens are struggling," Gainer said during the public-comment period, and she asked the board to consider the financial strain on residents.
Commissioner Brian Hoffman responded that the parking-lot project is not yet finalized. He said the county must weigh risks and funding sources before moving forward and cited winter safety concerns, saying "when the parking lot gets icy in the winter, the risk of falls greatly increases" and that the lot had to be closed last winter "due to extreme ice." Hoffman added that funding could come from a mix of grant dollars and local tax revenue.
Chair Scott Myers told Gainer that school-tax concerns should be raised directly with the local school district because the county and school are distinct taxing entities.
No formal action on the paving proposal occurred at the meeting; the discussion recorded was a public comment and the board did not vote on the project that day. The board proceeded to other agenda items and adjourned at 10:26 a.m.
