By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

The city of Fayetteville has stepped up its funding for Fayette Senior Services Inc. to $12,500 this year.

City Council Monday voted unanimously to amend its budget and increase the funding amount for FSS by $7,500.

“We need your help,” said Joan Neal, past president of FSS, during council's work session last week. “We need help right now with where we are on Lee Street, and we're going to need you a lot more later, too,” Neal said, referring to plans for a new $2.5 million senior center.

FSS director Andy Carden reminded council members that last year's budget for the organization, which provides a host of services to Fayette County's senior population, included funding for a work program. Since then, the person employed in the work program has become a regular city employee, and that part of funding for FSS was left out of the budget this year.

“They do an awful lot of service for the citizens of Fayetteville who are in their senior years,” said Councilman Larry Dell as the council considered the matter Monday.

About 60 percent of FSS clients live in Fayetteville's zip codes, Carden said.

Council unanimously approved the funding request.

In other business, the group unanimously appointed local lawyer Sarah Murphy to a vacant seat on the Planning Commission. Murphy has been attorney for the Fayette County Board of Education, and is a member of the city's Development Authority and Main Street board of directors.

Bill Talley's seat on the commission became vacant with his successful election to City Council in November.

Council also:

” Approved increases in fees charged to builders and developers for city inspections and plan review. The move will increase the portion of the cost of maintaining those services paid by the fees to about 25 percent, from about 20 percent, said Mayor Kenneth Steele.

” Turned down a developer's request to allow a traffic light on Pine Trail Road at the rear exit from Uptown Square, the Barnes and Noble shopping center under construction across from Fayette Pavilion. The light would be too close to another light at Pine Trail and Ga. Highway 85, council members said, and would impede residents of the area as they drive to Hwy. 85. Council agreed to require the developer to put money in escrow in case they decide the traffic light is needed later.

” Appointed two of its members, Larry Dell and Bill Talley, to the city's Retirement Committee. A new law requires that two members of council serve on the committee.