Lamar adopts ordinance authorizing city to apply for federal transit funds for TATS

The Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1950 on Jan. 20, 2026, giving the City Administrator authority to apply for federal financial assistance on behalf of the City of Lamar for Truman Area Transportation (TATS) and to execute any resulting contracts.

Mayor Mike Hull presented Council Bill No. 1968 — described in the ordinance as authorizing applications for federal funds to be expended for commission‑approved transit projects and to execute contracts with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the Area Agency on Aging. The ordinance was furnished to aldermen in advance and read by title for both the first and second readings before the vote.

Alderman Judd Chesnut moved to approve the bill on first reading, with Alderman Harold VanDeMark seconding; on the second and final reading Alderman Logan Powell moved approval, again seconded by VanDeMark. On roll call, all members present voted yes. Mayor Hull declared the bill duly adopted and it was numbered Ordinance No. 1950.

The ordinance authorizes the city to pursue federal capital, operating and marketing assistance for TATS; the minutes do not specify particular grant amounts, application timelines or project scopes. The council packet included the bill text in advance but no additional public comment or debate is recorded in the minutes.

Next steps: the ordinance empowers the City Administrator to file grant applications and execute contracts resulting from those applications; the minutes do not record any immediate contract awards or related funding decisions.