Franklin City leaders accepted a $1 million memorial bequest and approved the purchase of two used activity buses for the Active Adult Center at their Nov. 3 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Staff said the donation was made as a restricted memorial fund at the local community foundation and that the foundation will pay the invoices directly; titles and registration for the buses will be in the city's name. The gift was described by staff as intended to produce roughly $35,000 a year in interest to support programming at the Active Adult Center.

City staff presented options after reviewing new and used vehicles. New buses with wheelchair lifts were quoted in the packet at about $125,000–$135,000 each; staff reported finding two 2019 lease‑return buses from a dealer at substantially lower cost and recommended purchase because the chassis and body match the city's existing vehicles, which reduces parts/service complications. Staff said the used options preserve fleet compatibility and offer roughly $50,000 in savings compared with new units.

The bequest and the plan to purchase the two used buses were explained in public session. The board was told the fund is recorded at the community foundation as the 'Paul Jocelyn Memorial Fund' (one segment of the record shows the name spelled 'Paul Joslyn'); staff said they confirmed the foundation’s authority to disburse funds for the purchases. In response to questions, staff reiterated that they had checked applicable procurement and gift statutes and believe the proposed approach complies with state requirements and the city’s gift‑acceptance process.

Member 5 moved to approve the purchases and allow the community foundation to pay the invoices; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The city plans a ribbon cutting and a renaming of the Active Adult Center game room to honor the donor on Monday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m.