Presiding council member said the Talking Rock Town Council approved routine business and set priorities for a new special-projects fund at its January meeting, including immediate restroom repairs and pursuing outside grants to pay for a pedestrian-crossing study.

The council approved the December 2024 meeting minutes and accepted the December 2024 financial report before discussing priorities for a special-projects account created last month, the presiding council member said. "So we're ... giving Save the Horses a $1,000 donation," the presiding council member said, announcing a community gift tied to last year’s Bronco Stampede event.

The nut graph: the council is using a newly created special-projects account to group several small-but-visible infrastructure priorities — sidewalk and ADA access fixes, restroom renovations for downtown businesses, and a pedestrian-crossing study — while continuing to use American Rescue Plan funds for targeted improvements at town hall.

Council finance and budgeting: The presiding council member said the budget approved in December authorized creating a sixth account, titled "special projects," and moving $150,000 from the general operating account into that fund. The council also increased the Schoolhouse Museum allocation by $50,000 to a stated balance of 87,303. The presiding council member said American Rescue Plan funds — described in the meeting as "over $11,000" available for local projects — were used to improve the front of town hall, adding railing and a new non-slip surface.

Infrastructure priorities and ADA context: The council identified several priorities for the special-projects account. The presiding council member said the town will pursue a pedestrian-crossing study estimated at "$26,000." "That study is $26,000," the presiding council member said. The council said it will seek supplemental grant funding before committing Town funds to the study.

Council members also discussed accessibility and parking constraints at the town hall entrance. The presiding council member said the new ramp and railing are "as best as it can be in that position" given space limits and that landscapers had indicated there is not enough room to meet full ramp specifications. The council recorded that the ramp is not fully ADA compliant and preserved documentation and photographs of the work for the record.

Restrooms and short-term repairs: The council agreed to replace two nonworking commodes at town-owned restrooms that serve leased businesses and described a broader plan to renovate those two restrooms as a special-projects priority. The presiding council member said the town had already contacted local contractors and would replace the toilets immediately while planning a full renovation.

Storage and event planning: The council approved a month-to-month commercial storage unit to house town decorations and supplies while the fire department relocates to a new station. The presiding council member said the storage cost is $120 per month and can be canceled with 30 days’ notice.

Elections fee vote: The council voted to raise the candidate qualifying fee for council elections from $1 to $2. Amanda, a staff member who briefed the council, described the vote as an annual requirement and said the working group recommended the $2 fee. "It's something we have to vote on every year," Amanda said. The motion to raise the fee was seconded and adopted by voice vote.

Community gifts and events: The council reiterated support for community events: the presiding council member described the Bronco Stampede sponsorship, the hay donation for Save the Horses, and upcoming events including an Easter event, a Bronco Stampede and fall Heritage Days — all cited as reasons to prioritize visible downtown improvements.

Closing and next meeting: The presiding council member said the council will present cost estimates to residents before votes on larger projects and scheduled the next regular council meeting for Feb. 6 at 7 p.m., with a working group at 5:30 p.m.

Ending: The meeting concluded with routine adjournment after the council completed the evening’s agenda.