Townsend commission hopefuls talk economy, community in candidate forum

Community programs and controlled development took center stage in Townsend’s candidate forum Thursday evening, July 11. Five hopefuls vying for the pair of city commission seats up for election answered questions from the public and presented their visions for the future of the peaceful side of the smokies.

Commissioners Ted Godfrey and Becky Headrick are seeking reelection. Challengers David Hoque, Houston Oldham and Pat Jenkins hope to unseat them.

Taking turns answering first, the group tackled issues ranging from the city population to their personal strengths and weaknesses.

Townsend Mayor Don Prater moderated the event.

Funding

Candidates Thursday evening voiced opinions on subjects ranging from housing opportunities to the role of business development in the community. Most rejected the idea of adding to the city’s list of services, saying the option felt like a pipeline to a city property tax. The lion’s share of Townsend’s budget comes from sales tax, and elected officials have spent years balancing a community emphasis on peace with a need for revenue.

Thus far, they’ve avoided a property tax.

“In our community, there are limited properties, so it would have to be fairly high,” said Headrick. “A lot of our residents are retirees who have lived here forever, and no one needs an additional tax.”

Oldham, the vice chair of the Townsend Community Plan Advisory Committee, said he would like to see the city gather additional sales tax revenue by encouraging new businesses to revamp old buildings in town, creating economic infusions without new construction. Programs such as the Townsend Area Volunteer Fire Department need to be funded, he said, especially after recent forest fires threatened residents.

“We’re fighting a new and different thing that we have to be cognizant of,” said Oldham, adding that he would like to see Townsend reclaim some of its hotel tax from the Blount County government as a source of additional revenue.

Hoque, who is currently serving as the chair of the CPAC, told guests at the forum he wanted greater funding for the Townsend Police Department. The move, he said, would help the town combat drug trends and maintain the safety of the community.

Housing

Citizens also voiced concerns about potential declining population numbers, which some said is driven by climbing housing costs. When asked how they would combat ventures such as Airbnb rentals making local homes scarce, commissioners gave varied approaches.

Jenkins, a former Townsend mayor, said he would like to see the short-term rental market regulated in Townsend.

“Other cities work on this problem by regulations,” he said. “Nashville limits the number and size of vehicles that can be parked at an Airbnb. There are noise requirements that are strictly enforced. There are safety requirements that are strictly enforced.”

He also suggested giving the rentals similar treatment to hotels and requiring regular inspections, although Godfrey said most such rentals are outside city limits and potentially outside of city control.

Hoque said he felt the city might be best served to pursue a local ownership requirement to keep the money generated by Townsend’s homes in the city.