By Bill Grubb

ROGERSVILLE - Rather than run the risk of running out of money for the Hale Springs Inn project, the Rogersville Board of Mayor and Aldermen may borrow up to $150,000 to make certain it is completed. 
    The BMA will consider issuing up to $150,000 in capital outlay notes at a called meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. on February 4 at city hall.  City Recorder Bill Lyons said the town is considering borrowing the money but it would be repaid by the Heritage Association.  The association owns the historic Inn.
    "This is something we want to do now just to have a       cushion," Lyons said. 
    "We would hate to get to the very end and then run out of money.  You wouldn't want people to go to the Inn and find no toilet seats."
    The Inn was closed in 1998 and was purchased by the Rogersville Heritage Association in May 2003.
    The state awarded a a $746,372 grant for the renovation of the historic Inn in March 2004 and a second grant of $168,000 was awarded in 2008.  The project also received a $581,000 insurance settlement following the February 2008 collapse of a three-story annex built in the 1870s.  
    Although the Inn is owned by the RHA, the town is overseeing the administration of the grant funds and in 2006 the RHA and town entered into a Hotel Trust Agreement and adjoining Management Agreement, both covering a 20-year period.  Under the agreements, the RHA will operate the Inn for the town with all monies going back into the operation of the Inn or retiring the debt. 
    Officials had some reductions in the scope of the project and the available funds would cover the cost of construction of a new kitchen wing and renovations to bring the rooms in the historic Inn up to current safety codes.  
    "Even if we borrow the money we may not need the entire $150,000.  We would only borrow what we need to finish the work," the recorder explained.
    Lyons said a source of revenue that is being explored to repay the notes would involve a one percent increase in the city's hotel and motel tax. 
    The tax was initially approved by a private legislative act in 1999, with a rate of four percent.  The rate was increased to seven percent by another private act in 2007.  The Board of Mayor and Aldermen would have to request the Tennessee General Assembly approve the proposed increase.  If approved, the BMA would then have to ratify the tax increase.
    Currently the tax is divided between the town's general fund and contributions to the Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage Association.
    "We have come this far and don't want something to cause a problem right at the very end, that's why we are looking at the notes.  If someone has the money and would like to donate it it would gladly be accepted," Lyons noted.
     During the association's annual meeting in December project architect Michael Emrick said the construction phase should be completed by June.
    The association is currently looking for an "innkeeper" to operate the restaurant and hotel, with a goal of having the innkeeper sign a long-term lease and pay rent to the association.