An audience of four watched Monday night, April 18, as Centralia’s newest alderman, Harold Deckerd – Ward-I was sworn in, along with incumbents Don Rodgers – Ward II and Landon Magley – Ward III.
They also re-elected Robert Hudson as Mayor Pro-Tem, and Tara Strain as city clerk.
City Clerk Tara Strain, left swears in new aldermen, Donnie Rodgers, Ward I; Landon Magley. W-II and Harold Deckerd, W-III.
Committee chairs were also elected: Hudson for the public works and public utilities and David Wilkins public safety and general government.
With all the reorganization work complete, Centralia Mayor Chris Cox reconvened the meeting as the formal, regularly scheduled April 18 board meeting.
Then they arrived to the big money topic, the use of Pandemic funds. The city is projected to receive $861,826.18 from ARPA, the American Rescue Plan Act.
“You’ll get a monthly report of ARPA funds,” city administrator Heather Russell said, you will know how much we have and how much we’ve spent. We should be getting a second disbursement in September.”
The aldermen unanimously passed the enabling ordinance.
Next they discussed specific projects.
Russell said the amounts listed were budgeted. They included, per the ordinance:
• $5,712 for 16 mobile hotspots to be purchased in fiscal year 2022-23 for the Centralia Public Library and the same amount in fiscal year 2023-24 for a total not to exceed $11,424.00.
For the complete article, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.
