Danville Town Council obtains report on current and future utility costs

Compiled by Peg McRoy

The Danville Town Council met June 7. These meetings can be viewed on the town’s YouTube channel after the meeting. The council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Danville Town Hall, 49 N. Wayne St. The next scheduled meeting is June 21.

What happened: An ordinance was introduced to amend the police donation funds. This ordinance stipulates that these funds are restricted and non-reverting. This action was recommended by the State Board of Accounts during the town’s annual audit.

What this means:  These funds are used to support National Night Out Against Crime, K-9 care and control, their annual golf outing, shop with a cop, Easter Egg Hunt, and other community outreach programs and events. The State Board of Accounts and the town’s law firm have reviewed this ordinance. It will better streamline the department’s donation and fundraising efforts. Town Manager Mark Morgan said that similar ordinances will be introduced at the council’s next meeting. There will be a request, at that meeting, for the council to suspend the rules and approve these ordinances with the intent of getting them approved by June 30.

What happened: A representative from O.W. Krohn & Associates, CPAs and Consultants, provided the council with a report on current and future utility rates.

What this means: At the town’s request, Krohn prepared reports for the water, wastewater, and stormwater regarding current and future needs and costs. This report will be used for planning and decision-making purposes.

What happened: Chief of Police Jim Hilton was given approval to proceed with leasing 16 2023 Dodge Durangos from Enterprise for the department.

What this means: Six weeks ago, the council gave the police department approval to proceed in negotiating a contract with Enterprise. Enterprise has been working with Taft Law, the town’s law firm, on this contract. Both organizations have come to a consensus on the contract. Chief Hilton said that he will provide the council and the clerk-treasurer with an electronic version of that contract. The annual cost for the 2023 vehicles is $165,738.

What happened: The council approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for two water and wastewater projects.

What this means: ARPA is a federal agency that distributes funds to municipalities to be used for non-recurring expenditures, specifically for infrastructure. The total cost of the two projects is approximately $5.1 million. The ARPA fund will supply $1 million toward each project.

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