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Henderson City Council unanimously approves audit contract, housing sale and moves to apply for federal railroad grant
Summary
The Henderson City Council on May 11 unanimously approved a series of routine contracts and intergovernmental agreements, advanced a sale of city lots for the Winder Street affordable housing project, and authorized applying for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant to design two underpasses that requires an estimated $50,000 local match.
The Henderson City Council voted unanimously May 11 to approve a set of resolutions including an annual audit contract, an update to the city’s sedimentation control agreement with the state, an affordable housing investment at Winder Street, and authorization to apply for federal railroad crossing elimination funds.
Finance Director Joey Fuqua told council members that Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co., PA has served as the city auditor for eight years and will continue to provide auditing services and guidance on new GASB standards under Resolution 26-21. Councilmember Kenia Gomez-Jimenez moved approval; Councilmember Sam Seifert seconded and the resolution passed unanimously.
Assistant City Manager Christy Lipscomb briefed the council on a periodic update to the North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission Memorandum of Agreement, which allows the City of Henderson to continue managing local erosion and sedimentation control. The council adopted Resolution 26-22.
City Manager Paylor Spruill said the city has been negotiating the sale of city-owned lots to support the Winder Street (Hicks Village) affordable housing project and that the developer, led by Mr. Stroud, is seeking board approval to proceed. The council approved Resolution 26-23 to advance the transaction.
Council also authorized acceptance of a no-cost cybersecurity technical assistance opportunity offered through the North Carolina League of Municipalities and Cyberplex (Resolution 26-24).
On a separate action, the council voted to authorize staff to apply for a temporary U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination Program grant to design two underpasses at Orange Street and Montgomery Street. The grant application would require a 20% local match, estimated at $50,000; Councilmember Michael Venable moved approval and the council approved Resolution 26-25, with staff retaining the option to withdraw later if match funding or conditions changed.
All votes on the listed resolutions were unanimous; recorded yes votes included Gomez-Jimenez, Noel, Seifert, Venable, Gill, Walker, and Champion with Councilmember Garry D. Daeke noted absent in the roll call.
Officials said the audit contract and MOAs are routine but important for continuing local operations and compliance; the railroad grant was presented as a time-limited federal opportunity tied to the S‑Line project’s planned downtown crossing changes. The council’s approvals permit staff to proceed with contract signatures, continued negotiations on the Winder Street lots, and the federal grant application.
