WHITMIRE — Whitmire Town Council voted Monday night to increase the $25 deposit fee for rental of the Community Center.
During last month’s meeting, Mayor Billy Hollingsworth addressed Council on coming up with new rules and possibly new rates for the Community Center after renters left the center a mess, leaving liquor bottles, cigars, cigarettes, and other items all over the tables.
Food and decorations were left behind when the renters for that day arrived. The mess left behind took three to four hours to clean with the help of three town employees and the people renting the building that day.
“I think their intent was to come back and clean it up the next day, which would have been OK except it was rented the next day. Right now, we charge $150 a day for all day, $25 an hour,” said Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth addressed possibly raising the deposit fee to help keep the Community Center in good shape.
“There’s not supposed to be any alcohol down there at all other than Council approving at some point wine and champagne. I think that was put in for weddings and so forth,” said Hollingsworth. “Maybe this will give more incentive for people to clean it up. People need to respect the property whether it’s the Community Center or not.”
Town Clerk Carla Taylor suggested getting or making signs that state the rules and regulations of the Community Center.
Councilwoman Chrystal Harsha made the motion to increase the deposit fee to $150. Councilwoman Debbie Harris seconded.
Rules for rental of the Community Center are
• You must be 18 years or older to reserve the Community Center.
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• No alcoholic beverages (other than wine or champagne) are allowed on premises.
• No tobacco products are allowed inside the facility.
• The door key can be picked up only on the days of the rental. (Special exceptions are made for weekend and holiday rentals.)
• If the door key is not in the drop box or returned to Town Hall by the next business day, a $5 charge will be applied to whoever signed the rental agreement.
• Premises must be vacated by 11 p.m.
• Premises must be cleaned after each use – Deposit will not be refunded if center is not cleaned by 11 p.m.
• Deposit must be picked up no later than 15 days after rental or deposit will be forfeited.
• No solicitations are allowed.