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Carlin denies American Legion request for free utilities, cites grant restrictions
Summary
The American Legion WW Manning Post 32 requested free water and sewer but the council declined the request after staff and consultants warned that providing free utilities could disqualify the city from $1.7 million in infrastructure grants and other funding; the council asked staff to explore alternatives such as service credits for volunteer work.
The American Legion WW Manning Post 32 asked the city for free water and sewer service. Mayor Dana Holbrook said consultants and agencies—including the USDA and NDEP—had advised that granting free service would jeopardize critical infrastructure funding, including about $1.7 million in recently awarded grants and other pending opportunities.
Rick Gillespie spoke about the Legion's volunteer contribution to community projects and said their legal counsel advised they should not pay for utilities, yet would not want to jeopardize city funding. The council denied the immediate request but asked staff to explore alternatives such as service credits tied to volunteer labor or other legal mechanisms that would not violate grant terms.
