Cory Riner

Staff writer

ROWLAND — The Board of Commissioners decided on Tuesday to begin talks with fire inspectors to contract with the town to handle building inspections.

The town currently does not have a fire inspector. Town officials said two inspectors have expressed an interest in contracting with the town. Details, including a pay rate, need to be worked out.

“We should go ahead an talk to those two applicants and see what their fee is and see how they will work out as far as what will go to the town,” Commissioner Paul Hunt Jr. said.

The inspector would be responsible for inspecting businesses to ensure that local and state codes are being met, and that the building is safe.

“I anticipate this being a contract job, not a town employee,” Commissioner Marvin Shooter said. “So they’ll be contracting for whatever the fees are that we adopt.”

The town also discussed the town’s hotel occupancy tax. The town has had difficulty collecting the taxes, according to Town Clerk Blake Proctor.

“I don’t think we should have to go down there for two to three months to collect our tax,” Mayor Elizabeth C. Hunt said. “I think as long as we do that we’re going to have a problem with anyone paying their occupancy tax.”

State law allows the town to place a garnishment on the business to collect taxes and examine the books of the business that isn’t paying its taxes, according to Town Attorney Robert E. Price. A business owner who willfully ignores the tax can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $1,000 or face up to six months imprisonment.

No action was taken on the issue.

In other action Tuesday, the board:

n Approved a $200 donation to the Rowland Veterans Day Celebration Committee.

n Heard a proposal from BB&T representative Heather Cox to keep the town’s banking account.