The Jay Council approved cashing in one of two CDs for $130,000 to help pay for emergency repair to wells no. 1 and the remaining balance due for the under-budgeted overage of the waterline project, paid mostly by a Community Development Black Grant (CDBG).
“I feel like this puts us in a position to pay for the overages and the existing repairs that need to happen to get our water system to the best it is going to be,” said Mayor Shon Owens. “At the same time, if Dewberry agrees to some form of financing for the engineering of the master park plan, we can finance it through our revenue.”
Owens said he would like to see the town invest its money in other investments than CDs. He expressed concern that the town is about to take $130,000 of its $350,000, which lowers the town’s coffers considerably.
Councilman Wayne Godwin suggested putting out a request for more prudent investment ideas for the town.
In a motion made by Owens to remove $ from a CD and put it into the town's operating account to pay for the town's bills currently due and a future workshop to address how and what to save for. The motion was seconded by Council Godwin. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Josh Holloway was not present.
In other business, the council:
-Heard a request from Sen. Doug Broxson asked that everyone consider donating blood in the wake of COVID-19, with the need for blood donations increasing by 600 percent since the onset of the pandemic
-Discussed utility billing late payments, potential shut-offs, and the pros and cons of autopayments and fixed amount billing
-Approved a Florida Gas Utility Letter of Credit (LOC) reduction from $8,000 to $6,000
-Heard an update from Dewberry Engineering's Crystal Weatherington that street repaving of the streets that just got new waterlines will be the next project to be funded by a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) in the next cycle, opened Aug. 18, for $300,000, with Calfee Street a priority
-Considered two bids from Waste Pro and Adams Sanitation for garbage services, although no action was taken, with plans on which to approve at the next council meeting
-Received an update from Jay Operatons Manager Eric Seib that $300,000 in legislative appropriations was approved and had been awarded for some additional roadwork allocated to the town
The next council meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday Sept. 8, at Jay Town Hall.
