Ashville council approves $15,000 donation to Ashville High, OKs easement and multiple agreements

At the Nov. 3 City Council meeting, Ashville leaders approved a $15,000 donation to Ashville High School to assist with completion of an indoor athletic facility in the old Liberty Building. Principal Leann Ford and Head Football Coach Mark Sanders requested the support; on a motion by Councilmember Robin Bowlin and a second from Councilmember Edward Roscoe Lane, the council approved the allocation from the 2026 budget by unanimous vote.

Councilmembers also approved multiple intergovernmental and vendor agreements. The council approved the SCCBOE Fire Training Facility Agreement, an addendum to the Pump House Maintenance Agreement for spring work not to exceed $15,000, and an Alabama Power easement to allow a downtown pole relocation. The council approved the Avenue/Neumo Business License Discovery/Recovery Administration Agreement pending legal review and adopted Resolution 2025-043 to donate a right-of-way (ROW) to ALDOT. The council voted to pay the bills due during the meeting; all motions passed unanimously.

Meeting announcements noted that the next council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (swearing-in and organization meeting; no work session). City Hall will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day and Nov. 27–28 for Thanksgiving.

Details and clarifications

- Donation to Ashville High School: $15,000 from the 2026 budget to assist with the Indoor Athletic Facility (old Liberty Building). - Alabama Power Gateway Grant: a separate $2,500 grant check for Community Park signage was presented by Jacki Lowery during the meeting. - Pump House maintenance addendum: authorization capped at $15,000 for spring work. - Avenue/Neumo agreement: approved pending legal review (transcript records approval "pending legal review").

Next steps included routine administrative follow-up on contracts and legal review where noted.