Moody City Council approves routine equipment purchases and civic center foyer work; resident raises noise and safety concerns

Moody — The Moody City Council unanimously approved a slate of budgeted purchases and a small capital renovation at its March 23, 2026 meeting, and heard a resident’s complaints about neighborhood noise and safety.

In votes taken shortly after the 6:00 p.m. call to order by Mayor Nick Rutledge, the council approved purchases requested by city public safety and public works officials. The council approved a $3,600 purchase of training ammunition for the Moody Police Department from Gulf States and the replacement of ballistic vests for eight officers at a total cost of $11,423, of which The Healing Place Church committed $4,712; the city’s remaining share was recorded as $6,711 with $4,000 previously reserved from the uniform budget. The council also approved the purchase of six Rock Island Armory 12-gauge shotguns for $2,100 (Exile Armory), firefighting gear from MES for $1,700, and medical supplies from multiple vendors totaling $8,200.

Chief Reece Smith (listed in the minutes as “Chief Reece Smith (Steven Humber)”) presented the police items. Council Member Matt Morris moved to approve the training ammunition purchase; Chad Williams seconded. On the…