Martinsville council moves $1 million to rainy day fund; approves surplus of two street trucks

The Martinsville Common Council on March 9 approved a $1 million transfer into the city's rainy day fund and declared two aged street department vehicles surplus.

City staff member Mr. Merida introduced Resolution 2026-0721 asking the council to move $1 million from underspent funds into the rainy day fund. He said the fund held roughly $1.1 million and that the additional transfer would bring the total to about $2.1 million. "At the end of 2021, you had $86,000 in your rainy day fund. Right now, you're sitting just under $1.1 million in rainy day fund. Uh, so this would get you right at 2.1 million," Merida told the council. The motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded and carried by voice vote as recorded in the transcript.

Later, Mr. Dunn described two street department vehicles that are beyond repair — an L750 purchased used from Indiana and a 2005 Silverado — and recommended declaring them surplus. He said the vehicles are insured and tagged but not running; the council discussed options including donation to the vocational program at Martinsville High School, auction or scrapping for metal. The council moved to surplus the two vehicles and the motion carried.

Both actions were recorded as motions that passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record individual roll-call tallies. The council did not identify additional immediate spending of the rainy day funds; Mr. Merida said those funds are reserved for emergencies and would require council approval before expenditure.