Ripley board approves series of routine contracts, capital notes and park and public-safety items; votes at a glance

The Ripley Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted on a series of routine and capital items during its April 7 regular meeting, approving minutes and financial statements, several contracts and service agreements, a $1.8 million capital note authorization, and a park restroom contract tied to a Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) grant.

Key outcomes recorded at the meeting:

Admission of minutes and financial statements — The board adopted the minutes of the March 3 regular meeting and approved the March financial statements on voice votes after motions and seconds were recorded.

Confiscated firearms trade for backup weapons (Item 11) — The board approved trading court-forfeited firearms awarded to the Ripley Police Department to a federal firearms licensee in exchange for replacement backup weapons. Alderman Thompson made the motion; Miss McKinley seconded. The chair called for a roll call; the motion passed.

Authorized user agreement via State Central Procurement (Item 12) — The board approved an authorized user agreement under the State of Tennessee Department of General Services Central Procurement Office for a contract with Cello Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless to provide telecommunications services for the police department. Motion carried on roll call.

Audit acceptance and auditor contracts (Items 13 and 14) — The board accepted the fiscal year 2023–24 audit and approved an engagement with ATA, CPAs and Advisors to audit city accounts for the fiscal year 2024–25 at a fee of $33,450. Motion to accept the audit was made by Alderman Chipman and seconded by Alderman Frazier; the ATA contract was moved by Miss Austin and seconded by Mister Long. Both items passed on recorded votes.

General obligation capital outlay notes resolution (Item 15) — The board adopted a resolution authorizing issuance of interest-bearing general obligation capital outlay notes for 2025 not to exceed $1,800,000 to fund street resurfacing, drainage, sidewalks, public-works and police transportation equipment and park renovations. The measure passed unanimously by roll call.

Resolution supporting Ford Motor Company Blue Oval City project (Item 16) — The board approved a resolution expressing support for Ford Motor Company's Blue Oval City project and its stated economic impact in Tennessee.

Recorder authority and budget line adjustments (Item 17) — The board authorized the city recorder to amend fiscal-year 2024–25 budget lines and fund-to-fund transfers as needed; the action was approved by roll call.

Ripley City Park LPRF restroom contract (Item 18) — The board accepted a bid from S. H. Masonry of Jackson for Ripley City Park restroom improvements tied to the LPRF grant in the amount of $138,000 and authorized the contract as recommended by TLE and Associates. The board noted the project is part of a larger LPRF effort that will later include a splash pad and additional restrooms.

ECD broadband grant contract for child care (Item 19) — The board approved a $1.81 million ECD grant contract to build a child care facility in space at the UT Martin Ripley Center; the YMCA will operate the center and the grant includes broadband upgrades. (See separate article for full coverage of Item 19.)

Administrative and informational items — The board recorded the filing of delinquent 2023 property taxes (Item 20) as required by state law; scheduled budget hearings for April 15 and April 24 at 9 a.m.; and received a TDOT letter announcing a $13.6 million commitment for SR 19/US 51 intersection improvements and other local corridor work.

All motions that required a roll call vote were recorded as passing in the meeting transcript; where a mover and seconder were recorded in the transcript, those names are listed above. The meeting record does not show any failed or tabled motions.