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Lumberport council approves state-held accounts, directs ARPA funds to water project
Summary
At a Dec. 20 special meeting, the Lumberport council unanimously authorized four state-held bank accounts for water and sewer funds and designated ARPA money for Nutterfort operations/materials and for Thrasher Engineering to support the Phase II water project.
At a special meeting on Dec. 20, 2024, the Lumberport Town Council voted unanimously to open multiple state-held bank accounts for the town's water and sewer funds and to designate federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for water-system operations and the Phase II water project.
Mayor Lexi Mayfield called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. After an opening prayer by Linda Exline, the council first approved the meeting agenda on a motion by Council member Micheal Stire, seconded by Council member Richard Desist; the motion carried by voice vote.
Leslie Cummings proposed creating four accounts at the state level: Water Renewal/Replacement, Sewer Renewal/Replacement, Water & Sewer Deposits, and Water Working Capital. Cummings said the state-held accounts would earn higher interest than the town's current arrangements, a primary reason the council considered the change.
On a motion by Stire, seconded by Thomas Exline, the council authorized staff to establish the four state accounts for Lumberport's water and sewer funds. The council recorded the vote as unanimous among members present.
Later in the meeting the council addressed how to spend remaining ARPA funds. The council agreed to designate a portion of ARPA funding for operation, maintenance and materials associated with Nutterfort and to allocate funds to Thrasher Engineering toward the town's Phase II water project. Council member Stire moved to approve the ARPA designation and allocation; Richard Desist seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn by Stire, seconded by Desist; the council adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Minutes for the session were taken by Linda Wright in the recorder's absence.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to accept agenda: Mover — Micheal Stire; Second — Richard Desist; Outcome — approved by unanimous voice vote. - Motion to authorize state-held water and sewer accounts (Water Renewal/Replacement; Sewer Renewal/Replacement; Water & Sewer Deposits; Water Working Capital): Mover — Micheal Stire; Second — Thomas Exline; Outcome — approved by unanimous voice vote. - Motion to designate ARPA funds for operation, maintenance and materials with Nutterfort and to allocate funds to Thrasher Engineering for the Phase II water project: Mover — Micheal Stire; Second — Richard Desist; Outcome — approved by unanimous voice vote. - Motion to adjourn: Mover — Micheal Stire; Second — Richard Desist; Outcome — approved by unanimous voice vote.
What happens next
The council directed staff to open the state accounts and to coordinate ARPA disbursements to Nutterfort and Thrasher Engineering; the transcript did not specify implementation timelines or dollar amounts. Further administrative steps (account setup, contract or invoice review for Phase II work, and specific ARPA disbursement amounts) were not detailed during the meeting and remain to be completed by town staff.
