By David Stephens HOMETOWN NEWS The Chesnee City Council convened in regular session on April 14 with Mayor Pro Tem Robert Johnson presiding and all council members present. After the approval of the March meeting, City Administrator Becki Hood delivered her monthly report. Hood stated that revenues had been down owing to the majority of real estate taxes payable to the city had already been received. Hood reported a balance of $153,353.00 in the city hospitality tax fund. Hood then requested a change be made to the form used by the public to request agenda time to address city council. She explained that currently the deadline is noon on the Thursday prior to the monthly council meeting which does not allow enough time to notify all parties concerned, publish an agenda, and get all appropriate information out beforehand to council members. Hood asked that the deadline be moved back one day, to Wednesday, which was approved unanimously by council. Next, a representative of the City Planning Commission thanked the city council for the railing on the city park gazebo which enhances its appearance. The planning commission is researching prices for mulch and spring flowers to be placed on city streets. The question was also raised about whether or not there was to be a Spring Fest. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson stated that information he had indicated that it may be pushed back and become a Fall Fest instead. Victims Advocate Ben Dodd then spoke and stated he had assisted 1 victim during a court appearance, notified 6 crime victims via telephone of the advocate services available from the city, and had conducted 1 home visit where the victim was 83 years old. Dodd stated he will be doing more personal visits as he feels he can establish a better rapport with victims in that manner. Dodd stated that in March he had attended a three day victim’s services conference where he had been able to establish some much needed contacts and coordination in order to provide the best service possible to victims of crime. Dodd said also that he has sat in on some of the Police Department’s meetings and that their working relationship has been excellent. Police Chief Scott Smith then presented the Police Department report, stating that call volume for March had been up to 295. Some of that was attributed to an increase in traffic accidents. He said that Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. remains their peak times of activity. Chief Smith also advised council of an agreement reached with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department to assist in some drug investigations in Chesnee. Smith also said that the department continues to receive excellent support from both Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties. In conclusion, Smith introduced a new program called “Operation Midnight” which is aimed at promoting child safety. (See related article on this program.) In further business Councilwoman Becky Brannon made a motion that former employees of the city be allowed to purchase health insurance under the city’s policy with the full cost to be carried by them, costing the city no additional money. Brannon said it would be a way for some people to obtain insurance that may not be able to do so otherwise. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously by council. Brannon also introduced a plan to form a committee from the 13 merchants in Chesnee who pay into the hospitality tax fund to discuss with council projects they would like to see the money spent on. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson stated that a letter to those merchants would be sent “this week.” Lastly, Councilwoman Brannon said that the sale of the city sewer system to Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District was “still being pursued.” She asked that all citizens be aware of this and that the sale of the system is in the best interest of the city. (See related article.) Mayor Pro Tem Johnson then introduced for final reading a proposal to annex the Senior Center into the city. This reading passed unanimously. Johnson said that the annexation would give city services to the Senior Center such as police protection. Johnson said, “Since they are a tax exempt organization there is no financial gain for the city, but these are Chesnee citizens using the center and we have annexed other areas for the same purpose of extending city services. This is good for all involved.” The last order of business was the presentation of the results of the city financial audit for period ending June 2007. This audit was done by the Hobbs Group from Columbia, SC, who was represented at the meeting by Stacy Smith, CPA. Smith stated that there “were no problems encountered during the audit and the cooperation of everyone at city hall had been excellent.” Smith stated that the audit revealed that revenues had been up, but the audit did show an $80,000 loss by the sewer system. One area pointed out for possible improvement would be to include in the minutes of city council meetings anytime any funds are approved to be transferred from one city account to another. Overall, the audit was given an “unqualified opinion”, which Smith explained meant the audit was “clean” and that financial statements were correct. She said that the rating was the highest that could be attained for an audit. With no further business on the agenda, council adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next regular council session is scheduled for May 12, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.