[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6324632,"mediaKeyId","2337538-25df4d670b3f585e4a600592b2b16457","parentId",2337538,"title","Board approves ordinance abandoning right-of-way, utility rate increases, appointments and grant applications in 7-0 votes","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",1133000,"endMs",913000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2337538-25df4d670b3f585e4a600592b2b16457&start=1133&end=913","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2337538-25df4d670b3f585e4a600592b2b16457/thumbnail_1133000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324632/Tennessee/Board-approves-ordinance-abandoning-right-of-way-utility-rate-increases-appointments-and-grant-applications-in-7-0-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324632-a8e343c8de2b67252e66f156a6826e82/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985331&Signature=Yzwfa8uZ9cte~5al~wZrNmw5UQiWwyXVNehN7~pfb-qb7kMRiEwxYTpYRlXASGKNJdTnx4WPQ2aWK~wGRuCHRCDwPXzQ1LiujQN51tatOJ8UQWI3N-r4-We5ZTcqEeTUQDdp8c23shBOUZNrLQcUrpa43-WcGXBt~zkgh75i1VC6oJ3o0PIVX1J73uUtTjy5T0n5QUZBGyjFnTk-doHzGFTck-p~5K4P42aH144pEj1CAUrtbAI6wLFP-TxR6LnJgrunJ0-cUdiSpCB1SEsb2ve6MMMSrc7lxjRC9sAqWHfj3kNyhqfmh3tD2tLyFWcVD3XhBvzr70GrUtCX4o4S3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Springfield, TN","date","2025-02-18T14:18:42Z","article","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously on several administrative and legislative items at its February meeting, approving an ordinance abandoning a right-of-way, appointing a city representative to a regional gas-purchasing board, adopting utility-rate adjustments tied to wholesale costs, authorizing FEMA grant applications for flood mitigation and approving a gas-main extension and the consent agenda.

On ordinance business, the board took final action on Ordinance 25-01, abandoning a right-of-way east of South Main Street and west of U.S. Highway 431 (Tom Austin Highway). The motion to take the ordinance on second and final reading was made by Alderman Grama and seconded by Alderman Trotter; the tally was 7-0.

The board approved Resolution 25-03 appointing the city's gas director, Benjy Davis, as the city's representative on the Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corporation board of directors. Alderman Hubbard moved the resolution; Alderman Holloman seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Ryan, city staff, explained that TEAC is the regional consortium the city uses to purchase natural gas.

The Springfield Electric Department's rates were adjusted to reflect a wholesale fuel-cost change by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The motion to adjust electric rates was made by Alderman Hubbard and seconded by Vice Mayor Harris; the motion passed 7-0.

The board also approved an increase to monthly gas rates. Benjy Davis, identified as the gas director, told the board, \"The purchase gas adjustment is up 9.3% this month, which results in an increase of 14.11% across the board.\" The motion to adopt the gas-rate adjustment was made by Vice Mayor Harris and seconded by Alderman Grama; the tally was 7-0.

Council members approved applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for two flood-mitigation projects. City staff said the applications cover two low-lying areas that flood during heavy rain: the intersection of Old Greenbrier Pike and Legacy Drive, and a location on Fifth Avenue near Smith Street adjacent to the Robertson County Animal Clinic. The projects carry a 12.5% local match. The motion to apply was made by Alderman Hubbard, seconded by Alderman Holloman, and passed 7-0.

The board approved a gas-main extension project after a motion by Alderman Bradley and a second by Alderman Trotter; the vote was 7-0. The consent agenda was approved as a block on a motion by Vice Mayor Harris and a second by Alderman Trotter; the vote was 7-0.

Separately, the board approved the minutes of the Jan. 21, 2025 regular meeting on a motion by Alderman Gregg with a second by Alderman Hallman; the motion passed 7-0.

No items were tabled or failed; the record shows unanimous approval on the presented items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Springfield Board of Mayor & Aldermen Meeting -- LIVE February 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously on multiple items, including final approval of an ordinance abandoning a right-of-way, utility-rate increases tied to wholesale costs, an appointment to the regional gas-purchasing board, FEMA grant applications for two flood-prone sites and a gas-main extension.","taxTitle","Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meetings, Springfield City, Robertson County, Tennessee","taxId",69749,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324637,"External auditor gives Springfield an unmodified opinion for fiscal 2024; fund balance rose",417,388000,805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2337538-25df4d670b3f585e4a600592b2b16457&start=388&end=805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2337538-25df4d670b3f585e4a600592b2b16457/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6324637/Tennessee/External-auditor-gives-Springfield-an-unmodified-opinion-for-fiscal-2024-fund-balance-rose","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324637-2af98a29bc7e1ded0be5132e632d2a42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985331&Signature=dH68rMEKVXczigpDCBhlzsVn2-P-zh1jssAk1AxoZ7CfFLiOyPD-2eQHPawNAYJwLFaDAhftQT2f~CLSFtXk41DUGKGuChA99ecl-lXF8biu437FGWpCfgBPrgHIlRq9zU9Xa6Q~Hl1zoaKJjaosxHYRk3lwiFLZFKvQ33uylcQTqJBWmoPqNk9BIepYzNHPzgB3Cfjw09GEH56hf4asXoZqr7gzmL5-nAOAbawetBuwmf5N2O-mVF7yzWLIXIvdtjiEG07keigDxB6SNxcJwl0AedoSqCwCUFuohrS-q-qHBI92tUTWOOGpFgnQWl2uPZZAQj4xfqLlqsAHnSQTRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","James Bence, engagement partner with Malden and Jenkins CPAs, told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that the city's financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, received an unmodified audit opinion.

Bence said the unmodified opinion indicates the financial statements \"are materially correct as presented,\" and described a number of fiscal highlights, including a strong unassigned general-fund balance and positive cash flows in the city's utility funds.

The auditor summarized trend data showing the city's unassigned general-fund balance represents roughly 85% of annual expenditures and noted the city's reserves grew after earlier federal pandemic-era aid. Bence told the board the city budgeted to use roughly $1.6 million of reserves during the year but instead added about $1.4 million to fund balance; overall expenditures ran about 83% of what had been budgeted. He also said each of the water and sewer funds increased unrestricted net position over the past four years and that utilities generated positive operating cash flows used for capital improvements.

Bence described forthcoming accounting guidance from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) that will affect how compensated absences are reported, saying the change will increase the recorded liability for unused leave at year end and that the firm will work with city management on implementation.

City staff and board members praised the auditing firm and the finance staff for the lack of audit findings. One speaker thanked the auditors and the city's financial staff \"for not having any findings this year,\" saying that outcome reflected responsible handling of taxpayer dollars.

No formal board action was taken on the audit presentation at the meeting; the item was presented for review and comment.

The board's discussion was limited to the auditor's presentation and brief acknowledgements from staff and elected officials. The presentation materials referenced several pages of the audit report, including a five-year trend of general-fund balances, budget-to-actual comparisons, and cash-flow information for utility funds.

The auditor invited questions at the end of his presentation; none of the questions altered the content of the report or produced findings requiring board action.

Looking ahead, Bence said the firm will assist the city with implementing the GASB change on compensated absences during the next reporting cycle.","Engagement partner James Bence told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that the city's financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2024, received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion; auditors highlighted a healthy unassigned general fund balance, positive utility cash flows and upcoming GASB accounting changes.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves ordinance abandoning right-of-way, utility rate increases, appointments and grant applications in 7-0 votes

External auditor gives Springfield an unmodified opinion for fiscal 2024; fund balance rose