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Cochran council votes 4–0 to separate funding lines, apply for CDBG housing funds and fill local boards
Summary
At its April 18 meeting, the Cochran City Council unanimously approved a budget ordinance to segregate CHIP, hotel/motel, police seized assets and ARPA funds, authorized a CDBG housing rehabilitation application for targeted low-to-moderate-income areas, and approved multiple board appointments and delegate designations.
The Cochran City Council on April 18 approved a FY2022–23 budget amendment ordinance to create separate budget lines for CHIP funds, hotel/motel tax receipts, police seized assets and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, saying the change is needed to align the city’s accounts with the state’s chart of accounts. The motion carried 4–0.
City Attorney Jim Elliott explained the amendment was presented as an ordinance to bring the city budget into compliance with the state’s chart of accounts. City Manager Richard Newbern presented the item; Councilmember Jimmy Jones moved the ordinance and Councilmember Gary Ates seconded.
In the same meeting the council approved nominations to the Downtown Development Authority, confirming Laura Bergeaux and James Hagler by unanimous vote. The council also approved an appointment to the Cochran Housing Authority, naming Brian Arnold to a term ending Nov. 20, 2027.
Councilmembers approved a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resolution to submit an application for housing rehabilitation funds targeted to low- and moderate-income areas near Robinson Crescent/Sixth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Councilmember Gary Ates moved approval of the CDBG application and Councilmember Andrew Lemmon seconded; the motion passed 4–0. The council did not specify grant award amounts in the meeting minutes.
Other administrative items approved with unanimous votes included naming Councilmember Gary Ates as voting delegate and Councilmember Jimmy Jones as alternate for the Municipal Gas Authority Annual Election on May 5, 2023, and approving modifications to Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan documents (GEFA loans 15-019 and 15-009).
City Manager Newbern used the meeting to remind residents of city cleanup day on April 22 and a tree giveaway on April 21. During the public comment period Andrea Glover asked about the CDBG grant; Daryll Smith praised Public Works Director Willie Farrow and city staff for their work.
The council recorded attendance of Mayor Billy Yeomans and councilmembers Gary Ates, Keith Anderson, Jimmy Jones and Andrew Lemmon; councilmembers Rufus Veal and Carla Coley were noted absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
