Mayor Hopes To Spend ARP Funding On Sewer System

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor

City of Trenton Board of Commissioners discussed how to spend American Rescue Plan funding during the Monday, June 14 meeting.

The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill. The city is receiving $803,262. Trenton will receive half of the money now, and the other half will come a year later.

“We signed the agreements today and sent them back to Department of Treasury, Budget and Finance. You have to tell the Department of Treasury, Budget and Finance that you want the funding, yes or no,” Case said. “You have to have it done by June 21 or your money will go back to the state.”

Case encouraged the commissioners to go to the Georgia Municipal Association’s website, gacities.com, and Advancing Georgia’s Counties website, accg.org, to learn more about the funding.

“I think we need to have a work session to discuss it and what our plans are going to be,” Case said.

One of the things that the funding could be spent on is water and sewer infrastructure.

“That’s what I’ve been looking at mostly, because we know that we have a dated system that needs major improvements,” Case said. “One of the biggest things is the wipes that get into the sewer system. These things, along with grease and fats, are setting up like concrete in the lines.”

“It’s a lot of stuff to figure out how to do,” Case said. “We need to sit down and look at projects and figure out what is best.”

Also at the meeting, the board approved the re-appointments of Patti Nethery to the Library Board and Audrey Clark to the Trenton-Dade County Historic Preservation Commission.

The board approved the Georgia Probations Services, Inc., contract for the city court. Currently, the charges are $41, there is an increased fee to $46 per month.

“This is paid each month by the person who has been charged plus their fees for their crime that they have been charged for,” Case explained.

Commissioner Kirk Forshee reported that the Trenton Police Department had 414 calls during the month of May, conducted 1,456 business checks, three animal complaints, responded to seven domestic calls, seven trespassing calls, 21 suspicious activity calls and worked 19 accidents.

There were 184 traffic stops made resulting in 88 citations. Collected fines for May were $18,320.05, and the total collected fines for the year to date are $96,599.76.

Commissioner Terry Powell reported that the community center was rented for 22 hours in the last month. There were 10 animal control work orders. Recreation softball has ended, and the pool is now opened and is doing well.

Commissioner Houts reported that there were six remodels, two additions and one plan review for a garage. Five electrical, HVAC and plumbing inspections were completed, and one fire inspection. The fire department answered a total of 33 calls for the month of May, which included eight fire related calls, five accidents, four medical, 14 on standby, and were dispatched and cancelled in route to 52 calls.

The sewer department had 42 underground locates, four emergency locates, nine sewer calls, two manhole repairs and two sewer tap inspections.

Commissioner Wooten reported that they are still looking to hire someone to work for the street department. There were 53 work orders for the month.

“We did a locate on the right away of Vanguard Drive for ditches. Trenton Pressing is having a lot of problems with their water, and we are trying to work on that,” Wooten said.

Case gave the financial report. The general fund balance for the month of May is $573,836.30. Revenue for the month of May is $85,739.98. Expenses for the month were $106,936.51.

Jane Dixon, with the Alliance for Dade, reported that there will be a second lunch and learn in August. The Alliance is looking for people who want to partner with the Alliance for Dade for different events.

Dixon also encouraged people to go to local events to support the community, including the 1945 Dade County Fair event.

“You’ve got to go, it’s going to be a super event this year. If you talk to people, tell them, July 3. It will be wonderful for our community,” Dixon said.

Dixon also asked community members to help support each other.

“Anytime you get a chance, plug someone else. Maybe someone will be plugging you somewhere too,” Dixon said.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters. No action was taken afterward.

The next City of Trenton Board of Commissioners meeting will be July 12.