-->

* * * * *

Iron Gate Town Attorney Jared Jenkins

Iron Gate Council: Good Financial News, Lawsuit Update
By Jerry E. Clark
 
Iron Gate, VA (May 27, 2021) - The Iron Gate Town Council held one of its briefest sessions in months this evening (Thursday, May 27, 2021). Here are the major items of discussion:

• a public hearing was held on next year's budget with no public comment being received. There will be no tax increase, employees will enjoy the same level of health benefits but will get no pay increase, the monthly sewer bill will increase by $5.75 per month bringing the town resident's total utility bill to $105.75.

• The General Fund budget is $135,553 and the utility fund budget is $267,520.

• Deputy Scott Dudding provided the invocation for the meeting.

• There were only two members of the public present at the meeting, other than the deputy and a rep. of the Alleghany Journal.

• Mayor Chuck Unroe noted two local deaths and the fact that two other local citizens were in nearby nursing facilities attempting to recover.

• town offices will be closed on Mon. for the holiday.

• the Iron Gate public works crew is currently working on fixing up local alleyways and performing brush cutting duties, among other chores.

• Mayor Unroe reported hugely improved financial news as a result of the recent repair of a key water line. The town's April billing for water was for 4,527,000 gallons at a cost of about $18,000. May's billing for water was just for $850,000 gallons for a total of about $3500, an amount the mayor indicated was normal.

• the town's water quality report has been received and it was a "stellar" one, the mayor noted.

• The River Park is now open and some new signs being made by Bear Mountain Signs in Clifton Forge will clearly delineate the boundary lines there to keep users from trespassing on private property.

• The American Rescue Act will provide the town about $300,000 in funding for Covid-19 relief and infrastructure need, the mayor reported. Half that money will come this year and half the next. The mayor assured everybody that none of those funds would be committed without full council approval, nor committed until received.

• a resident's utility bill for sewer in the amount of $35.55 was adjusted by unanimous vote of the council

• June 19th was officially declared a new holiday for the town of Iron Gate (Juneteenth).

• town attorney, Jared Jenkins, reported to the council that an opposing attorney in the Jennifer Simpson legal case with the town was basically trying to extort an exorbitant amount of legal fees via a proposed settlement and he suggested that this move be either rejected or ignored. VDOT may continue to be involved in the Simpson case, which involves a drainage line disagreement with the town - now ongoing for months

• the town set June 14th at 7 p.m. for its next work session and June 24th at 7 p.m. for its next meeting

VIDEOS

• Iron Gate Town Attorney Says Opposing Council Is Attempting To Extort Money From The Town: CLICK HERE

• Iron Gate Mayor Chuck Unroe Reports To Town Council:

CLICK HERE
Iron Gate Town Mayor Chuck Unroe

 
 

* * * * *

BACK TO THE JOURNAL'S HOMEPAGE!
* * * * *
KEEP UP WITH THE LOCAL NEWS! SIGN UP FOR ALLEGHANY JOURNAL BREAKING NEWS BELOW!
FREE Breaking News Sign Up Here!