Your Town Government

The Town of Tryon operates under a Manager/Council form of government with an appointed Town Manager. The Town Council consists of a Mayor and four council Members who serve as the policymaking body for  town government. The Town Manager manages the day to day operations of the Town.  The Council meets at 7:00 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the meeting room of the Tryon Fire Department at 56 West Howard Street. All meetings are open to the public.

Town Manager: Robert "Bob" Shepherd (Interim)

Secretary to the Town Manager: Meg Rogers

Current Town Council:  J. Alan Peoples (Mayor), Dennis Durham, Roy Miller, Jim Scott, Austin Chapman

Town Attorney: Bailey Nager  Office: 828.859.0216

Chief of Police: Jeff B. Arrowood

Fire Chief: Joey Davis Email

Public Works Director: Joel Burrell

Water Plant Supervisor: Betty Jones

Street/Sanitation Supervisor: Stephen Pace

Water/Sewer Supervisor: Gary Walker

Harmon Field Supervisor: George Alley

Town Clerk:  Susan Bell

Tax Collector & Billing Clerk: Pam Justice

Counter Clerk: Mimi Pospisil

Town Boards & Committees

Click here to download the Application for Volunteer Board form

 *PLANNING AND ZONING*

The Planning and Zoning Board acts as an advisory board to the Town Council on planning, zoning and subdivision matters.  Zoning permits are required for construction projects, business openings, changes in land or building use, and the erection of any sign. Zoning permits are issued at Town Hall and must be obtained before applying for a building permit. Information regarding zoning issues is available by contacting CMR Services (Planning and Code Enforcement) at 1.800.650.3925.  The Board consists of six members, three citizens and residents of Tryon appointed by Tryon Town Council and three members outside the Town within the extra territorial jurisdiction appointed by Polk County Commissioners.

Board Members:   Chairman-John Walters, Reggie Drake, Rick Viehman, Carl Wharton, George Baker, Dan Ferebee.  Staff Support: Ron Smith & Erin Burris, CMR Services.

Polk County Building Inspection Department provides all building permit information and building inspection services.  The Town of Tryon owns Lake Lanier and has a Lake Use Ordinance. Any construction of a dock, boathouse, or any structure over the water requires a permit from the Town of Tryon and Greenville County, SC. The permit may be applied for at Tryon Town Hall.  The Planning and Zoning Board is made up of 6 members and meets at Town Fire Department on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 PM, and all meetings are open to the public.   

*HARMON FIELD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*

The Harmon Field Board of Supervisors was formed in July 1996.  The Board consists of five members, two members are appointed by Tryon Town Council, two members are appointed by Polk County Board of Commissioners and the appointment of the fifth member will rotate every two years between the Town Council and Polk Board.  This board sets the policy and rules that govern the use of Harmon Field and see that its facilities are well maintained.

Board Members:  Chairman-Benny Smith, Benny Goodwin, Tom Foster, Karen Killough, Frank Ortiz

*BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS*

The Board of Adjustments consists of six members, three appointed by the Tryon Town Council and three appointed by Polk County Commissioners.  This board is necessary in order to reverse any order requirement, decision, or determination of any administrative official with respect to the territory inside of and within one mile of corporate limits.

Board Members: (Town Representatives) Tom Foster, Ann McCown, Harriet Sams.   (County Representatives) Andy Haynes, Tom Moore, Mark McCall

*PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE*

The Tryon Town Council established the Public Works Committee at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 17. 2002.  The purpose of the Public Works Committee is to provide input to Tryon staff and consulting engineers in developing master plans, capital improvement programs, rate studies and analysis, planning and policies, grant applications and long term financing.  The Capital Improvement Program will be submitted to the Public Works Committee annually in conjunction with the budgetary process.  Recommendations are submitted to the Town Council for approval. 

Council Liaison-Dennis Durham & Roy Miller, Staff Support-Manager Jim Fatland & Public Works Director Joel Burrell, Citizen Appointments-Ty Martin, George May, Rick Richardson, Mark Maxwell, Bill Ingham, and Jay Tirre

*EAST SIDE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE*

The Tryon Town Council established the East Side Citizen Advisory Committee at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 17, 2002.  The Isothermal Planning and Development Commission has advised the Town of Tryon that this committee can provide the vital link in securing grants and financial assistance. In addition, the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission has offered staff support and resources. 

Council Liaison-Roy Miller & Jim Scott, Staff Support-Manager Jim Fatland, Interim Public Works Director Joel Burrell, Police Chief Jeff Arrowood; Citizen Appointments-Rev. Eleanor Miller, Warren J. Carson, Michelle Miller, Helen Hudson, Joseph Fox

*TRYON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION/TOWN OF TRYON FINANCE CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE*

The Town Council at a Special Meeting on August 6, 2002 approved the formation of a Joint Finance and Construction Committee between the Town and the Tryon Downtown Development Association. The Committee responsibilities would include planning, design and construction of streetscape improvements within the downtown area.

Chairman - Bill Hillhouse.  Vice Chairman/Town Council Representative - Clark Benson, John Walters, Mark Byington. Project Manager - Cecil Cannon.  TDDA Representatives - Hub Arledge, Reporter-Gwen Suesse, President - Andrew Foster. Town Representatives - Manager Jim Fatland, Public Works Director Joel Burrell, Councilman Jim Scott. 

*JULES LARSEN CEMETERY COMMITTEE*

The Tryon Town Council established the Cemetery Committee at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 15, 2003.  On April 10, 2003 Mayor Alan Peoples signed a proclamation setting April 12, 2003 as "Jules Larsen Day" for all the volunteer work he had been a part of at the Town Cemetery. The Cemetery Committee was established in his memory to help with overseeing the maintenance of the cemetery.

Council Liaison-Mayor Alan Peoples; Staff Support-Manager Jim Fatland, Public Works Director Joel Burrell; Citizen Appointments-Austin Chapman, Ambrose Mills, David Ruff, Ed Comolli

*PARK COMMITTEE*

John Vining, David Hamrick, Town Manager Jim Fatland, Public Works Director Joel Burrell.  Town Council Representatives - Dennis Durham & Jim Scott.  Thermal Belt Rotary - Dawson Chiles. Tryon Garden Club - Lois Tirre & Jean Scott. Tryon Fine Arts Center - Jay Tirre.  Roseland Community - Warren Carson.  Lake Lanier Civic Assoc. - Hugh Hursey.  Rogers Park - James Payne.  Green Blades Garden Club - Callie Smith.  

* TOWN HALL RESTORATION COMMITTEE*

Town Representative - Mayor Alan Peoples, Harriet Peoples, David Hamrick, John Vining, John Walters, Alex Glover, John Garguilo, Dan Ferebee and Mark Maxwell.  Town Manager Jim Fatland, Public Works Director Joel Burrell, Police Chief Jeff Arrowood  Town Council Representative - Clark Benson.  PAC & PCHA - Jay Tirre.  Brady Architects - Julie McIntyre. 

*A.B.C. BOARD*

The ABC Board Members are appointed by the Tryon Board of Commissioners.  The review and oversee the budget.

Ellis Fincher Sr., Joyce Kimpton, Jay Tirre

*TRYON TOWNSHIP FIRE COMMISSION*

The Fire Commissioners are appointed by the Polk County Board of Commissioners to represent Tryon Township residents who are served by the Tryon Fire Department. They review the budget and recommend the tax rate to the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

Commissioners - Kirtland Flynn, Robert Scruggs, and Larry Phillips.  Staff Support - Town Manager Jim Fatland and Fire Chief Chris Burleson.

*DEPOT MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE*

The Depot Master Plan Committee was established September 20, 2005.  The committee was formed for the development and improvement of the Train Depot and surrounding property.

Council Liason - Clark Benson & Jim Scott.  Staff Support - Town Manager Jim Fatland, Public Works Director Joel Burrell.  Citizen Appointments - Jay Tirre, John Vining and Dean Trakas.  Polk County Historical Society - Anna Conner.  American Legion - Frank Ortiz & Tom DeVries (alternate).  TDDA - Andrew Foster.  Tryon Garden Club - Jean Scott.  Tryon Riding & Hunt Club - Chuck Lingerfelt.

*TRYON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY*

The Tryon Tourism Development Authority Members are appointed by the Tryon Board of Commissioners.  They oversee town occupancy taxes for promotion of travel & tourism in the Town of Tryon.

Carl Caudle, Andrew Foster, Pat Grogan, Chris Amato, Dennis Durham