Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spencer council adopts budget amendments, accepts SRTS bid and advances utilities merger
Summary
At its Dec. 19 meeting, the Spencer City Council approved three budget amendments, appointed a temporary municipal judge, authorized applying for additional TDOT funding for the SRTS sidewalk project with a school-board cost share, accepted a $536,390 Mid‑State bid contingent on that funding, and approved payroll changes tied to a utilities transfer.
The Spencer City Council on Dec. 19 approved multiple budget amendments, authorized a grant application to cover higher-than-expected sidewalk bids, accepted a contractor bid contingent on that funding and completed several personnel and payroll decisions connected to an imminent utilities transfer.
Mayor Farmer opened and closed public hearings on second and final readings for three budget amendments before the council voted on them during the regular meeting. The council approved Budget Amendment #2 (to increase the state police salary supplement and general liability insurance) on a motion by Alderman David Chandler, seconded by Alderman Jerry Blankenship; roll call recorded yes votes from Aldermen Darrell Nance, Drew Campbell (vice mayor), Blankenship and Chandler; Alderman Hensley was absent.
Likewise, Budget Amendment #3 (increase to tourism line-item expenses) passed on a motion from Vice Mayor Drew Campbell, seconded by Alderman Darrell Nance, with the same roll-call pattern. Budget Amendment #4, which increases multiple utility-related line items (including water purchases, publishing, convenience fees, annual permits and pump-station maintenance) and draws the remainder from fund balance, passed after a motion from Alderman Blankenship and a second from Vice Mayor Campbell; the roll-call votes were the same (Hensley absent).
On personnel and court matters, the council adopted Resolution 2024‑9 appointing Brandon Griffin as Special Substitute Municipal Judge. Mayor Farmer noted that the substitute appointment must be renewed every 30 days until a permanent judge is appointed; the board directed the office to accept resumes to fill the permanent position.
Facing higher-than-expected bids for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) sidewalk project, the council authorized staff to apply for additional TDOT 80/20 grant funds. The transcript lists the required local match as $62,489 (also shown elsewhere as $62,478); Zeda Hillis reported the Spencer School Board agreed to pay half the match (recorded as $31,244.50 and also shown as $31,239 in the record). The council voted to apply for the TDOT 80/20 funding with the school board sharing half the local match (motion by Alderman David Chandler; seconded by Alderman Jerry Blankenship).
Contingent on securing the additional TDOT funding, the council accepted the low construction bid from Mid‑State for $536,390 to build the sidewalks. The acceptance was moved by Alderman Chandler and seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell; roll call showed four yes votes and one absence (Alderman Hensley).
City Recorder Crystal Crain explained the city will switch general employees to direct deposit because utility employees will transfer to the White County Utility District (WCUD) on Dec. 31, 2024. The council approved the direct-deposit change. Separately, Mayor Farmer said deeds, easements and bill-of-sale documents for the utilities merger had been signed and the transfer would be complete on Dec. 31, 2024; utility employees will begin with WCUD on Jan. 1, 2025. The council approved a special payroll cycle on Dec. 31, 2024 for utility employees to accommodate the transfer.
The council noted a CDBG bid opening scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025 at 2 p.m. and adjourned. No public commenters spoke during the three hearings reported at the start of the meeting.
What’s next: staff will submit the TDOT 80/20 application, accept contractor paperwork contingent upon grant approval, continue accepting resumes for the municipal judge position and implement a special payroll cycle tied to the utilities transfer on Dec. 31, 2024.
