The Homewood Finance Committee convened on September 8, 2025, at 5 PM, with all members present, including Castle Smith, Walden, Holloman, France, and Hart. The meeting commenced with a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, which passed unanimously.

Following the approval, the committee discussed a new logo created by Maddie Keel for a visitor's guide celebrating the centennial, which received positive feedback from the members.

The first significant agenda item was the Green Springs Phase 2 project, presented by Hill Smith. The committee reviewed the bid opening results, which included four competitive bids, all within $150,000 of each other. Gillespie Construction emerged as the lowest bidder at $9,557,295.59. The committee recommended awarding the project to Gillespie and also discussed a proposal for construction engineering and inspection services from Sain and Associates, estimated at $85,000.

Smith provided details about the project, which involves sidewalk installation, curb adjustments, and crosswalk improvements along Green Springs between Broadway and Lakeshore. The project aims to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility.

The committee also addressed budget considerations, noting that the funding for the project would come from bond money. They discussed the need to amend the budget to reflect this expenditure and the implications for future projects. The remaining bond funds were estimated at $4.2 million, with over $1 million allocated for the Green Springs project and additional funds already encumbered for other projects.

The committee planned to proceed with two motions: one to award the contract to Gillespie Construction and another for the engineering services from Sain and Associates. The anticipated start date for the project is October, pending approval of the motions in the following week.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted key developments in the Green Springs project and the financial planning necessary to support ongoing and future infrastructure improvements in Homewood. The committee's next steps will involve formalizing the contract approvals and ensuring the project timeline is met.