Residents press White County commissioners to pave Coal Bank Road; officials point to legal and budget limits

Residents who live off Coal Bank Road pressed the steering committee and county officials to pave a one‑to‑one‑and‑a‑half‑mile stretch they say remains unpaved despite new development.

Marvin Crowley, Frank Mack and Rick Carter described dust, erosion and safety concerns and said they were told by the developer when they bought lots that the road would be paved. The residents asked how to compel the developer or the county to pay for paving and requested an estimate of per‑lot costs, an accounting of where county funds were allocated, and a plan for making the road a higher priority.

County Executive (responding) and other commissioners explained that state law limits county authority over subdivisions that exceed five acres; a developer may create lots without county planning approval in those cases. County staff said options include establishing a special tax or improvement district in which property owners agree to a tax to fund paving, or waiting for highway department funding. Commissioners encouraged residents to present a plan or petition and said staff could research a special tax district and add it to a future agenda.

One commissioner noted the county had been losing money on landfill operations in prior years but that recent arrangements had improved the budget situation; residents disputed some public reports of budget figures and asked for clearer accounting.

No immediate appropriation or paving schedule was approved; commissioners asked residents to return with specific requests and asked staff to research special tax district procedures.