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Votes at a glance: Henderson Council receives audit, approves contracts and denies two property sales
Summary
At its Jan. 11 meeting, Henderson City Council received the FY2020 audit, awarded a pump replacement contract, approved repairs funding and denied offers to purchase two city/county properties; vote tallies and motions are summarized.
The Henderson City Council on Jan. 11 approved a set of routine and project-related measures, including receipt of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, award of a construction contract for a high‑service pump, transfers for plant repairs, tax releases and denials of two property sale offers. Below are the actions the council took and key details.
Receiving the FY2020 CAFR (Resolution 21‑04): Auditor Stuart Hill of Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. reported no disagreements with the audit and noted an internal-control finding in the Henderson Water Reclamation Facility (HWRF) that prompted strengthened procedures. Council approved Resolution 21‑04 on a motion by Council Member Burnette; vote: YES — Williams, Burnette, Elliott, Daeke, Thorpe‑Cooper and Spriggs; NO — None; ABSENT — Coffey and Rainey.
Awarding contract to TA Loving for high service pump replacement (Resolution 21‑01; Ordinance 21‑01): Kerr Lake Regional Water Director Christy Lipscomb explained that the existing pump is obsolete and nonoperable. Dewberry prepared bid documents, four bids were received, and TA Loving was the low bidder. Council approved the contract and transferred funds from the Regional Water Fund balance; a $270,000 contingency was included. Vote: YES — Burnette, Elliott, Daeke, Thorpe‑Cooper, Spriggs and Williams; ABSTAIN — Coffey and Rainey.
Transfer of funds from Sewer Reserve to Henderson Water Reclamation Plant (Ordinance 21‑02): Lipscomb said staff identified approximately $65,000 in needed repairs—examples cited included backhoes and a nonworking HVAC in the administrative building—and Council approved Ordinance 21‑02 to fund repairs. Vote: YES — Burnette, Elliott, Daeke, Thorpe‑Cooper, Spriggs and Williams; ABSENT — Coffey and Rainey.
Disposition requests denied: Council denied Resolution 21‑02 (320 Charles Street) and Resolution 21‑05 (Lawrence Street) after staff recommended against sale; Council cited redevelopment potential and a failure of offers to meet the 40% tax‑value requirement. Both denials passed with the same recorded six affirmative votes and Coffey and Rainey absent.
Tax releases and refunds (CAF 20‑82): The finance director presented November 2020 releases and refunds totaling $17,126.43, which Council approved.
Procedural notes: Council added two New Business items before the meeting and scheduled a Strategic Planning Retreat for Jan. 28 to prioritize projects and budget direction. Mayor Eddie Ellington and City Manager Edward T. Blackmon provided updates on downtown Wi‑Fi and other local issues.