Arbyrd reviews financial report, applies for grants to aid with police car, tractor purchase

The City of Arbyrd's six month financial report shows the city with a greater amount of funds in the bank, when compared to last year, but with city expenses outweighing the incomes.

City Clerk Erma Branum explained during the Arbyrd City Council meeting on Monday that the city closed the recent six month budget with $371,200 in the bank, while June 2009 closed with $319,632.

"The city is ahead, money wise," Branum said.

She added that although the city was ahead in these totals, the city's expenses still outweighed the incomes, and funds currently being spent were being taken from the budget.

Also during the meeting, Police Chief Mitch Skelton's report to the council was read by Alderman Brent Pierce.

During his report, Skelton noted that water samples had been collected in the city and returned satisfactory.

He added that the sewer rehab project had been completed and that the department was waiting on warmer weather to arrive before pouring the concrete and placing the fence posts.

The City of Arbyrd had eleven new cases in Municipal Court on January 12, according to Skelton. He added that the cases included violations concerning stop signs, no operators license, driving while intoxicated, suspended license, speeding, expired driver's license, expired tags, domestic assault, 3rd degree assault, and passing bad checks.

Following Skelton's report, Grant Writer, Mitzi Dell's report was read by Branum.

In her report, Dell noted that the police grant needed to be completed by February 28, 2010, and that she had submitted a rural development grant request through USDA for a new 2010 Chevy Impala police car. The total amount is $22,973 with a 45 percent match, which will require the city to pay $10,338, according to Dell.

She added that the police car grant will come with a code three lighting package.

The city should be notified of the grant awarding around July 2010, according to Dell.

She explained that she also applied for a grant for a tractor with a backhoe attachment, which will total $38,811 and be a 45 percent matching grant. Dell added that the notification for this grant would occur later in the Fall.

Branum explained to the council that the idea was to sell the current police car and current backhoe, if the grants are received, to help the city with the cost of the matching portions of the grant.

The next Arbyrd City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., February 8, 2010.