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 Council:  J. Alan Peoples (Mayor), Jim Scott (Mayor Pro-Tempore),  Dennis Durham,  Roy Miller,  Austin Chapman

Town Attorney: Bailey Nager

Town Boards & Committees

 *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/Benchmark (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, Maxine (Happy) McLeod, Dan Ferebee.

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 Thursday of each month at 4:00 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, Secretary/Treasurer - Frank Ortiz, Tom Foster, Benny Goodwin, Rick Covil.

*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-Town Manager & Public Works Director Joel Burrell.  Citizen Appointments-Mark Maxwell, Jay Tirre and Alan Smith.  Consulting Engineers-Watermark Eng: Jonathan Hollifield, Joel Wood & Associates.

*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-Town Manager, 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.

Council Liaison: Commissioner Jim Scott.  Staff Support: Town Manager, Public Works Dir. Joel Burrell, Town Clerk Susan Bell.  TDDA Appointments: Chairman Andy Foster, Bill Hillhouse, Hub Arledge.  Ex-Officio Members: John Walters, Mark Byington. 

*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-Town Manager, Public Works Director Joel Burrell; Citizen Appointments-Austin Chapman, Ambrose Mills, David Ruff, Ed Comolli

*PARK COMMITTEE*

The Town of Tryon Town Council established the Parks Committee at their regularly scheduled meeting on October 21, 2003.  The Committee advises the Town of general maintenance of each park and are working on a  long-range community park plan.

Council Liaison: Commissioner Dennis Durham and Commissioner Jim Scott.  Staff Support: Town Manager, PWD Joel Burrell.  Citizen Appointments: Dawson Chiles (Thermal Belt Rotary), Jay Tirre (Tryon Fine Arts Center), Hugh Hursey (Lake Lanier Civic Association), James Payne (Rogers Park), Gretchen Morris (Tryon & Depot Garden Club), Warren Carson (Roseland Community), Callie Smith (Green Blades Garden Club), Viola Suber (Bryan Park), Mark Byington (Greenway),  Lois Tirre and John Vining.  

* TOWN HALL RESTORATION COMMITTEE*

The Town of Tryon Council established the Town Hall Restoration Committee at their regularly scheduled meeting on October 21, 2003.  The Committee responsibilities would include the renovation planning and designing of the Town Hall building. 

Council Liaison: Mayor Alan Peoples.  Staff Support: Town Manager, PWD Joel Burrell, Police Chief Jeff Arrowood.  Citizen Appointments: Jay Tirre, Alex Glover, Julie McIntyre, John Garguilo, Dan Ferebee, Harriett Peoples, David Hamrick, John Vining, John Walters and Mark Maxwell.

*ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD*

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

 Chairwoman Joyce Kimpton,  Jay Tirre,  Jerry Perry, Susan Ash Blanton (Store Manager)

*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 and Fire Chief Joey Davis.

*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 - Commissioner  Jim Scott.  Staff Support - Town Manager, PWD 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 consists of five members and was formed in August 2006.  The Authority will set policies and rules that will govern the use of the Occupancy Tax Revenue.

Council Liaison: Commissioner Dennis Durham.  Staff Support: Tax Collector Pam Justice and Manager's Secretary Meg Rogers.  Members: Chairman (open seat), Vice-Chairman Bill Martin (TDDA Rep.),  Carl Caudle (B&B Rep.), Pat Grogan (B&B Rep.).

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