Susan S. Phillips Village Manager Stacy C. Eggers IV Village Attorney (828)8 898-9292 www.seesugar.com.  Gunther Jochl Mayor Scott J.I Brown Mayor Pro Tem Council Members David Ammann Wade Wittman Dick Casey  THE VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN 251 Dick Trundy Lane Sugar Mountain, NC 28604 Manager's Monthly Report February 21, 2023  Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board Meeting: The TDA Board met on Wednesday, February 15th. The Board approved funding ($400) for Mary Kate Ollis, TDA Coordinator, to participate in the Avery County Chamber of Commerce 2023 Leadership program. The Board tabled the recommendation of Tristan Bowen, Sugar Mountain Resort representative, for the vacant seat on the Board until Mr. Bowen could attend a TDA meeting. Mark File submitted the The December 2022 collections oft the occupancy tax showed a decrease of 4% in comparison to December 2021. The occupancy tax collections for the period January 2022 through December 2022 ($1,028,879) have shown a $62,004 or 6.1% increase in comparison to the same period of Property Tax Collections: Of the $1,380,123 total 2022 levy, $1,334,822 or 96.72% has been collected with a balance of $45,301 uncollected through February 17th. An uncollected balance of $3,881 remains for the years 2013-2021. Taxes were due on/or postmarked by Thursday, January 5, 2023; all past due accounts are accruing penalties and interest at this time. Notice of Violation: A notice of violation has been sent to GTRG LLC, property owner, and RCS Properties, property management, of Sugar Mountain Village; the Food Lion shopping center. The Village has continually notified the property manager over the past year of trash accumulating behind the Food Lion and the restaurants of Bella's, Subway and China House. The owner has been fined $200 and the nuisance must be abated within 14 days of receiving the violation notice. Failure to abate the nuisance in that time will result in a $200 penalty per day Billboard Tynecastle Hwy: Four Eggers, Village Attorney, has filed a complaint against the property owners ofthel billboard on Tynecastle Hwyt that was damaged in the stormi in September 2021. The property owner has been notified several times ini the last year to remove the remains Police Grants: Chief Turbyfill has submitted an application to the NC Governor's Crime Commission for a grant of up to $25,000. If awarded the grant, the Chief will purchase 6 body cameras and 2 viper radios. This grant will cover 100% oft the cost oft the equipment. The Village  attached January 2023 marketing update.  2021 ($966,875).  until the violation is corrected.  of the billboard and debris on the property and has not complied to date.    will be notified in June if the grant is awarded and will be eligible to spend the funds after. July 1; The Chief has aiso submitted fori reimbursement oft the costs oft twol bulletproofvests. The Village has received $500 ($250 per vest) from the NC League of Municipalities and is awaiting funding of approximately $600 from the US Department of. Justice's Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program. The grant monies received by these two programs covers about half of the cost of a Police Department Evidence Room: The Public Works staff has been assisting the police department in "remodeling" their evidence room this week. The organization and securing of evidence stored in this room will now be in compliance with adequate property and evidence Public Works Facilities: Public Works staff has completed 99% of the construction of a new storage building and an addition to the main building. They now have storage for vehicles, organization of tools, supplies, etc. and have completed. an updatedinventory of alll Public' Works Administrative Matters: Officer Ben Townsend has announced his retirement effective. April 1st. Ben has been in law enforcement for 23 plus years, with the past five years at Sugar Mountain. With the retirement of Dave Henson last month and the upcoming retirement of Officer Townsend, the Police Department will be down two officers for a full staff. Chief Turbyfill has offered these positions to two individuals that live in the area and are currently attending the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Mayland Community College. They will graduate in early May from the program and will take their test to be eligible for certification following graduation. Chief Turbyfill will schedule both individuals on a part time basis now through May to begin the field training process. ChiefTurbyfill is applying for the NCCommunity College Apprenticeship Program for which one applicant will be eligible to participate. This program will reimburse the Village up to 50% of the wages paid tot the individual for two years. will be attending the NC Governmental Finance Officers Association Spring Conference in  FY: 2023-24 budget.  bulletproof vest for our officers.  control procedures.  and Golf Maintenance assets.  Durham on Wednesday, March 1through Friday, March 3rd.  Respectfully submitted, Susan Phillips, Village Mana Borfflpo