Funding public art is at issue between Sylva aldermen and Jackson County Commissioners. Sylva is requesting grant money from commissioners to spruce up its downtown. But before anything is approved, commissioners want more clarity in what might be displayed.
Sylva leaders have taken the $5,000 public art grant request to the Jackson County Commissioners. However, commissioners have put the request on hold as they examine whether the public art is family-friendly.
Municipal grants are available from commissioners to Jackson County towns that request them. Sylva opted to use the funds to continue a commitment to public art and establish a downtown art walk featuring murals and kiosks.
"Sylva really, really wants to have a presence in public art," Sylva Alderman Ben Guiney said.
The grants are designed to foster good relations between town and county governments. But Guiney says when the request went before commissioners, there was some support and some hesitancy.
"A couple more sounded like they wanted to kind of have a little more control over what exactly was going up," Guiney said.
County Commissioner Mark Jones supports issuing the grant.
"One of the commissioners mentioned that he wanted it to be family-friendly art," Jones said.
Guiney said it was an unexpected response.
"The thing that rubbed us the wrong way, A. That they didn't understand what they were funding, and B. That it's not up to the legislators to decide what is and what is not family-friendly," Guiney listed.
Decisions about the art are made by an art committee.
"I don't think that the committee would come up with any ideas that would be inappropriate," Sylva Alderman Greg McPherson said.
Commission Chair Mark Letson said the pause is more about establishing a clear process and direction and ensuring prudent use of taxpayer money.
Sylva residents say they want to see art liven up the downtown.
"It's a nice change of pace instead of driving through, and it just looking like old cardboard boxes," Brittany Wills said.
Commissioner Jones sees added value in public art.
"I see extra revenue not only for the town of Sylva but for businesses in the town of Sylva," he said.
Both boards meet next week.
"Stick with it and stick with the grant request and kind of clear up some of the misunderstandings if you will," Guiney said.
Commissioners meet again on Feb. 7, while the Sylva Board meets on Feb. 9.