Lynchburg mayor highlights initiatives

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

LYNCHBURG – Lynchburg Mayor Thompson Isaac has released information to the public highlighting the initiatives he has implemented since he was elected in June 2007.

“This State of the Town report is presented to enlighten you as to our strengths and weaknesses in an effort to generate a continued commitment and renewed spirit of cohesiveness in working together,” Isaac said. “As your mayor, I pledge my continued loyalty and dedication to faithfully and tirelessly work for the improved quality of life for all citizens.”

In Isaac’s report, he identified several reasons for the town’s current poor financial status and subsequent action taken by the town to address the problems.

In December 2007, the town was cited by the State Treasurer for non-compliance in reporting court fines for the period of 2005-2007. The town owes almost $90,000 to the State Budget and Control Board in delinquent fines and fees.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has mandated the quarterly withholding of 10 percent of the town’s state-shared revenue funds as reimbursement over a seven-year installment arrangement, Isaac said.

Council members and town employees will be trained in the proper accountability of court fines and assessments, internal control, completion and timely filing of required reports, he said.

In 2008, the town was cited by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission for noncompliance in reporting employer unemployment taxes for several years. The town owes the state more than $28,000 in unemployment taxes.

The town has also accumulated debt to additional state agencies and local businesses including the S.C. Bureau of Water, Progress Energy and local attorneys, Isaac said.

In February, the town decided to acquire a $58,000 general obligation bond to settle the town’s debt with state agencies and local businesses.

The town has also been cited by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for operating faulty sewer lift stations, causing overflows, Isaac said. The town has been fined about $60,000 for the malfunctioning lift stations, he said.

DHEC and the town have reached agreement to enable the town to continue operation of the sewer system and to suspend payment of the fine.

In March, the State Treasurer’s Office began withholding the town’s state allocation because of failure to submit the 2007 Fiscal Year Financial Audit as required.

The 2007 was recently completed, said Isaac, and the 2008 audit report should be completed by September.

“This will bring us in compliance with the state and enable us to submit applications for both state and federal grants,” he said.

Town Councilwoman Nancy Galloway praised Isaac for issuing the report.

“The mayor is trying to face things straight up and trying to get us on a level playing ground,” she said. “We are working hard to generate greater revenue, and the only way to do that is to get more business and more people in Lynchburg.”

Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.