Simonton council approves monthly financials, flags EDC expense concerns

The Simonton City Council approved a set of consent-agenda financial items on April 21, 2026, including monthly financial statements and payment listings covering December 2025 through February 2026. Motions to approve were made for individual line items; the minutes show consistent majorities on each vote.

Councilmember Eric Duhon raised repeated concerns about EDC expenditures during discussion of the January financial statement and requested clarification on specific charges. The minutes record procedural motions: "Motion made by Eric Duhon to approve 5b." That motion passed with four ayes and no votes against. Later, Angela King moved to approve the January 2026 payment listing (5c); the motion passed with Duhon recorded as the single 'No' vote. The council also approved reclassifying an LJA payment from engineering to grants as part of the February financial approvals.

Why it matters: the consent approvals carry forward the city's routine expenditures and budget reporting, while Duhon's objections signal continuing internal scrutiny over how EDC funds are spent and how certain vendor payments (LJA) are categorized.

Votes and actions at a glance: 5b (Dec 2025 financial statement) — motion by Eric Duhon; approved. 5c (Jan 2026 payment listing) — motion by Angela King; approved (Duhon voted no). 5d (Jan 2026 financial statement) — motion by Justin Boudreau; approved despite Duhon's reservations. 5e/5f (Feb 2026 items) — approved; motion includes moving the LJA charge to grants.