Mayors coalition sets agenda (Salisbury Post)
A coalition of mayors from the state’s largest cities has set a legislative agenda for 2011, and Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz says local residents will benefit.
The N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition has a proven track record since 2001, said Kluttz, who is the longest-serving mayor in the group and vice chairperson.
“This is all good for Salisbury,” Kluttz said.
The mayors met for two days last month in Asheville and chose to lobby state lawmakers on the following:
• Stronger anti-gang legislation.
The legislation passed last year, which the coalition lobbied for, ended up becoming watered down, Kluttz said.
“It was not strong enough,” she said.
The coalition will ask law enforcement officials for suggestions on how to strengthen anti-gang laws, she said.
• No unfunded mandates.
“When the state runs into budget problems, they take monies intended for us and then we can’t make our budget and we have to raise taxes,” Kluttz said. “They balance the budget on our backs.”
When the economy failed after the terrorist attacks in 2001, the state diverted $2 million intended for Salisbury, and the city is still suffering, Kluttz said.
“That’s one reason our roads have never caught up,” she said.
Legislators could face a $3.3 billion budget deficit when they return to Raleigh in 2011, according to the Office of State Budget and Management.
• No personnel cuts to the justice system.
“We know that a clogged up court system affects our public safety,” said Kluttz, wife of Rowan County District Court Judge Bill Kluttz. “It has a large effect on police departments and the safety of our citizens.”
The coalition is looking for ways to help the court system deal with backlogs, Kluttz said.
• Support biotech industry
“The biotech center is right next door to us,” said Kluttz, referring to the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.
That’s one reason the city launched its new fiber-optic communications utility, Fibrant, she said.
Salisbury must compete for companies and people attracted by biotech, Kluttz said.
“There’s no reason they can’t locate in Salisbury,” she said. “Salisbury needs to be right there saying we want jobs as well.”
• Preserve local government’s ability to offer broadband service.
Salisbury borrowed $29 million to develop Fibrant, which was threatened last summer by a bill that would have killed cities’ ability to launch their own fiber-optic systems.
• More money for the N.C. Mobility Fund.
The coalition was instrumental in supporting the creation of the mobility fund and removing the I-85 Yadkin River Bridge from the state’s equity formula, Salisbury Assistant City Manager Doug Paris said.
“This was a huge success for our district that saved us $87 million over 12 years,” he said. “Without it, road construction and maintenance in our district would have been crippled by the cost of the bridge.”
• Defend existing statutory roadway responsibilities between the state and local government.
• Continue to improve the relationship between the N.C. Department of Transportation and local government.
The coalition, which has one paid staffer, includes 26 mayors from cities with more than 30,000 residents. Annual dues are population-based, and Salisbury pays $6,490.
Paris said it’s worth every cent.
“We’ve benefitted as much as any city,” Kluttz said.
The mayors meet again in February to tweak the agenda before the legislature goes into session.
Published Monday, October 04, 2010 11:00 PM
Contact Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.
By Emily Ford
