Saulsbury plans to eliminate eyesore

A crumbling structure on Main Street occupied a spot on the agenda for Saulsbury’s April board meeting. A pile of boards is all that is left of numerous store buildings that lined the street. Now, in addition to being an eyesore, the buildings’ condition has become a health and nuisance problem. The board concluded that Mayor Jim Daniel would contact the property owner for permission to remedy the situation.
As a continuance of that discussion, the board agreed together maintenance of city owned lots should be monitored and performed on a regular basis.
Daniel informed the board additional Christmas lights ordered by the city have arrived and are ready for use this coming holiday season. BEA will install the brackets and electrical for them.
The main business conducted during the meeting was passing the first reading of the 2015-2016 budget. Daniel covered the State of Tennessee tax ordinance and explained how the Saulsbury budget follows the required guidelines. He expressed the opinion the budget this coming year will be tight. Revenues have been gradually declining for several years and expenditures for auditing fees, insurance premiums, and fire department expenses continue to rise.
The good news is the town has no debt. After reviewing the proposed budget, the board passed the first reading unanimously. The city’s fiscal year begins on the first day of July.
Daniel informed the board Grand Junction’s Mayor, Curtis Lane, would be in attendance at the May meeting to explain the recent increase in water rates for Saulsbury residents.
The next board meeting is scheduled for May 18.