The Shadow
The Iron Gate Town Council met on the evening of June 29th to discuss several different issues, including the 2023-2024 budget, the chicken permit, the update on the grass ordinance, two utility bill adjustments, reappointments for the planning commission, and set dates for the upcoming July meetings.
After the invocation, led by Pastor David Hanks, and the pledge of allegiance, Mayor Gary Craig called the meeting to order. He took time to thank Colonel Chris Fisher with the Alleghany County/Covington Police Department for the work he and his fellow officers do before talking about his recent opportunity to drive the town’s garbage truck. He spoke about the tireless efforts of their garbage men and how they “really don’t get the recognition they deserve.”
Afterward, Mayor Craig and members of the council discussed the town’s chicken permit. The subject was brought up because of a recent application that was filled out by a couple in Iron Gate who have already paid the fee for having chickens and gotten approval for zoning. Later in the meeting, the committee voted to approve the chicken permit for the couple.
Currently, Iron Gate residents are permitted to have chickens, with stipulations. Prior to the chicken permit vote for the couple, a few of those stipulations were discussed; one being how many chickens are permitted in a single household and the other, being the fact that residents are required to have a permit to keep them. Currently, only three chickens per family member are allowed, with up to twelve maximum, but no roosters. The “Grower’s Permit” A.K.A. the “chicken permit” can be obtained for $35 for one year. Afterward, the price drops to $25 for consecutive years.
Council Member Brandon Marshall addressed the yearly rate when he asked Mayor Craig, “What do you think about, instead of charging a yearly rate… whenever you get chickens, why don’t you just pay upfront? Then just not have to pay anything afterward?” Mayor Craig answered, “I would have to get with Wendy [Biggs, treasurer] and then, of course, we would have to get together… get with Jared [Jenkins, Town Attorney] and look at that, but I mean anything’s open for discussion.” Craig noted they could “hash that out” at the next work session, so it is an idea that will be revisited later. For more information about the town’s policy regarding chickens and other animals, call the Town Hall at 540-862-0770 or go online to: https://irongateva.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Keeping-of-the-Animals-Ordinance.pdf.
Next up for discussion was the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget that was mapped out by Treasurer Wendy Biggs. It was later voted on and passed by unanimous vote, which included no tax increases except for the cigarette tax. The council voted to increase the cigarette tax from 20 cents to 30 cents.
The grass ordinance was also discussed. Currently, the fee for having grass over 6 in. tall is $30 but could go up to $150 for Iron Gate residents. The reason for the increase would be due to the town’s costs of having to cut the resident’s lawns themselves. Craig said, “It takes our guys two hours to go out there and weed eat or cut grass. We still gotta pay for their wages, we’re paying for the fuel, the use of the equipment, the wear-and-tear on it, and then, a lot of times, you know, we’re well over that 30 dollars.” The increase has not yet been voted on or passed by the council.
From there, the council discussed the reappointments for the Planning Commission: Ronald Dowd, Larry Nininger, Harold Patterson, and Robert Unroe, have all agreed to stay on the Planning Commission for an additional 4-year-term, which is set to expire in August of 2027. All four men were later reapproved by the council.
There were a couple of utility adjustments that were brought to the attention of the town council. In both cases, the residents were unaware of any leaks until they received their bills, and both have since gotten the leaks repaired. The council voted to adjust the bills for both; one for $158.20, and the other for $157.54.
The meeting concluded with the council setting dates for the July work session and the July Town Council meeting.
