The TVA took 55,000 from Swain County and 19,000 from Graham County to construct Fontana Dam. “More” of the construction was built in Graham County. The TVA initially compensated each county with the same monthly amount. The payouts continued sixty-seven years until last fall, when the NC Department of Revenue decided payouts should be commensurate with the amount of hydroelectric infrastructure in each county. Then, the funds were split granting Graham an advantage of $17,700 a month. Graham decided the payouts should be made retroactive, but Swain said the formula should be based on acreage confiscated. Swain tried to change the disbursements with legislation, but was advised the legislation would be detrimental to litigation.
If each county retains the services of one law firm for a bargain $200 an hour, how long must the litigation continue until the citizens of both counties get the “right” amount?
