Ashville Mayor Robert McKay took a bit of time last week to talk about how he sees things working out in his community.

He said that the budget is tight—as it was this time last year—but added that needed improvements in sewer and water are a welcome addition to the Ashville.

On the Ashville economy in general, he said, “It’s not really good. We’re struggling with budgets and revenues are off. Last year it was off about this time and this year is off as well.”

He said that the Ashville City Council did put a budget out recently, but added that just like 2008, they have to transfer some money from the water department to make ends meet.

“We’re alright right now, but if things don’t change in the future I don’t know what we’re looking at, weather it be layoffs of cutbacks,” McKay said. “I think it’s tough times for everybody right now. With these small municipalities like ours and the others around us, we don’t have the tax base to pull from.

He said that even larger municipalities in the county, with more taxable interests, who may have the funds, still have to turn around and funnel money into their larger fire, police and water departments.

“For these times we’ve all been going through, I guess we’re doing okay, though,” McKay noted again. “But we’re having to look at things a lot more closely.”

Ashville recently received a $500,000 federal stimulus grant for sewer rehabilitation. The City’s sewer systems were taking in a lot of rainwater in recent eyars and often it will overrun the system.

The 100-percent grant will pay for everything Ashville needs, except for engineering fees. So, the county commission went halfway to providing those funds.

“We’re always appreciative of the county when they help us,” McKay said. “They’ve helped us in the past on things like this, too. I think they’re just like cities in that they’re limited to a point; and we’re really happy that they can meet us on [the grant match]… I can’t complain about the commission, they’ve helped us in the past on grants and matches.”

He continued, “It’s just tough times for cities and counties and the state, even. We’re on a tough economic footing and I really feel for people who are out of work or even just looking for more work. I just hope things change sometime quickly.”