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Sulphur approves two state funding agreements amid tight June spending deadlines
Summary
Council authorized cooperative endeavor ordinances to accept two state allocations — $250,000 and $200,000 — for pre-approved projects, while residents pressed staff on whether projects were already completed and whether spending deadlines could be extended.
The Sulphur City Council voted to accept two supplemental state allocations and authorize the mayor to enter cooperative endeavor agreements to receive the funds. Ordinance 59-25 covers $250,000 and Ordinance 60-25 covers $200,000; both were described as funds to be used for projects already identified in city planning.
Council members and residents pressed staff on timing because both allocations carry tight state deadlines. Staff told the council some of the funds are reimbursements for projects already approved and that the state requires the money to be spent and reimbursement requests filed by June 30. “Money had to be completely spent by 06/30/2025,” a staff member said, adding that staff were identifying existing, eligible projects and working with engineers to ensure scope and schedule would meet the deadline.
Resident Wendy Wingate asked whether the money had already been spent and whether the city had adequate time to submit reimbursement claims. Staff said the allocations are for projects already approved in the budget and that the city was actively preparing reimbursement requests; however, staff also said they had been recently informed that some entities were seeking extensions from the state and that extensions might or might not be granted.
Wingate noted senior-center improvements were listed among possible projects and urged the council to prioritize the senior center if funding was accepted. “I do feel like for Sulphur that is one of the best things we have to offer in this city,” Wingate said, urging prioritization of senior-center work if funds were accepted.
Council approved both ordinances by roll-call votes. For the $250,000 item the motion carried after a roll call and for the $200,000 item the motion also carried. Staff said they would continue coordinating with the city’s engineering firm to identify eligible projects and to submit reimbursement requests before the state deadline or to seek extensions if necessary.
