The Salem City Council Monday night will be asked to sell land currently set aside for the city’s soccer complex to a Fortune 500 company that initially plans 90 jobs.
Mayor Nic Farley said he was excited about the project that also has future expansion possibilities. A local realtor is expected to submit a bid for the 23 acres at the northeast corner of West Main and Selmaville Road at the council meeting. The council is then expected to go into closed session to discuss the offer and could make a decision on the sale when they return to open session.
Farley hopes the council will use the money for the sale of the land to purchase land that could be the future soccer facility.
City Manager Rex Barbee told WJBD-WSIQ news on Friday that the cost of developing the facility at the current location was going to be much more expensive than anticipated due to needed ground and drainage work.
The council will consider a request from DBS Services Inc. for a $1 per customer increase in the monthly cost of garbage collection to offset rising fuel costs, transfer station fees, and upkeep on equipment costs. Barbee says if the council agrees to the increase that they place a time limit on the surcharge since it is above the bid amount DBS agreed to provide the service. The council will also have to decide if they want to pass along the increase if it is approved.
The council will also be asked if they want to raise the fee on video gaming machines. The state has raised the fee city’s can charge from $25 to $250 a year.
The council meeting begins at six Monday night at Salem City Hall.
