By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Bronson Mayor Beatrice Roberts says the town council’s decision to approve a Family Dollar Tree store in front of the courthouse wasn’t meant to antagonize people but rather to expand the town’s tax base and generate more sewer revenue for its annual $75,000 sewer loan payment.

            Speaking at the June 7 council meeting, Roberts said the town’s central sewer system doesn’t generate enough money from customer revenues to make the annual loan payment and as a result, the city must use property tax money from its operating budget to help pay back the loan.

            “As everyone already knows we are in a lot of debt with the sewer coming down U.S. 27A. That’s one reason we’re glad businesses are coming in because we need the tax revenue to pay for the yearly rent (on the sewer),” she said.

            She said the town wants to bring in as many businesses as possible to generate sewer revenue to pay back the loan without raising taxes to cover what the sewer system doesn’t generate.

            The sewer system was built in the Bronson business district several years back to make the town more attractive to business development. It may be a factor in new businesses establishing in Bronson. Businessman Stoney Smith is building a retail complex at the corner of State Road 24 and U.S. 27A. Family Dollar Tree is the other business attempting to locate in Bronson.

            Roberts said the town’s sewer revenue from the downtown business district “doesn’t even put a dent” in the $75,000 sewer loan payment” and could place the town in a tight spot if it can’t make the loan payment.

            She said a lot of people wonder why the town is trying to bring a Family Dollar Tree. She said it’s not that the town wants a Family Dollar Tree. She said the store is an opportunity to eliminate some of the financial pressure on residents by adding a business to the sewer system and the tax roll.

            “That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re not trying to antagonize the residents of the town. We’re trying to make it easier so that you don’t have to pay all these taxes. That’s why we’re so adamant about businesses coming in. That wasn’t the best place to put it, but if we start trying to turn away business, then nobody’s going to want to come in. We tried to find different places for them to come in. That’s where we stand,” Roberts said.

            The latest news concerning the Family Dollar Tree’s efforts to build a store directly in front of the Levy County Courthouse entrance is that the company has submitted a revised site plan eliminating a driveway on Court Street and creating a single driveway and exit on Picnic Street. The site plan has been submitted to county government for approval. This is the first time the company has filed an application with the county. Company representatives weren’t aware that Court Street and Picnic Street are county-owned. The town has given the company commercial zoning approval for a store site in front of the courthouse and granted a variance to allow fewer parking spaces than is required by its land development regulations.

             In the last week or so, questions have been raised as to whether the old Buren Brice home, located at the site of the proposed Family Dollar Tree store, is worth preserving for historical purposes. The home was apparently remodeled over the years. A swimming pool exists in the backyard. The home was built in either 1911 or 1919, depending on who is recalling the history. Some argue it remains a historically significant building and the property should be preserved. Few historical buildings have been preserved in Levy County and only the Jackson House, which is being used as Bronson Town Hall, has been preserved in Bronson. But the Jackson House no longer stands on its original site and has been remodeled to serve as Bronson’s Town Hall. A historical marker stands on the front lawn of Town Hall noting the historical significance of the building despite the many changes to its interior.

            The discussion of the city’s need for new businesses to expand its tax base and to help pay back the sewer loan arose during a discussion of the city’s interest in annexing property into the city. Town Manager Susan Beaudet said annexation was discussed in one of the town’s Capital Improvement Strategic Planning Committee meetings. Residents are welcome to attend the meeting and provide input.

            Town Attorney Steven Warm has been instructed to research whether the city would be required to provide town services such as water and sewer to properties annexed into the town. Roberts was under the impression the city would be required to provide those services, but Councilman Aaron Edmondson said he believes Roberts is incorrect.

            “When you come out of Gainesville at Jonesville, as soon as you hit Jonesville, you see a sign that says Newberry city limits. There are no services from Newberry out there,” Edmondson said.

            Regardless of what Warm’s research turns up, Roberts said the city has a strong interest in annexing business properties into the city to expand its tax base and provide additional business sewer customers.

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Town of Bronson Regular Meeting June 7, 2021; Posted June 12, 2021