Henderson City board approves first reading of ARP fund plans

During the City of Henderson’s mayor and board of aldermen meeting last week, the board considered the passage of approving the expenditures of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds on the first reading. It passed.
The expenditures are as follows: City Hall buildout project – $650,000; city park grant matching funds – $500,000; police equipment (drone and body cameras) – $30,000; police vehicles with upfitting – $134,000; fire equipment – $55,000; fire vehicles (chief’s truck) – $40,000; two public works vehicles – $80,000; a sanitation truck – $175,000; street lighting – $100,000 and funds in reserve at $122,800.
The second reading of the ARP expenditures will occur next month.
After the City of Henderson pushed the decision on giving money to Oasis Community Development for the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration so that the budget committee could look at the funds available to make it happen, the aldermen passed to give $1,000 toward the Juneteenth Celebration. This will be an annual budgeted item.
The adoption of the 12-Year Master Plan for the City of Henderson Parks passed with all in favor.
Short term plans (2022-2026) include: playground renovation and expansion at Gene Record Memorial Park; soccer field renovation and improvements; concession stand and restroom upgrades along with ADA accessibility improvements and an amphitheater and parking lot expansion.
Mid-term plans (2026-2030) include: expand the disc golf course from nine holes to 18 holes;
Relocate and contruct a new farmers market, construct pickle ball courts at Gene Record and site amenity and accessibility upgrades at both Gene Record and Sue Shelton White Park.
Long-term plans (2030-2034) plans include: basketball courts at Gene Record, volleyball courts at Gene Record, to expand and construct hiking and biking trails at Gene Record, splash pad expansion and the purchase of land for a new park location.
The City of Henderson’s 2022-2023 City Budget and Tax Rate Ordinance passed on the first reading. The tax rate of the first reading was set at $0.8798 per $100 assessment.
Alderman Jason Rhodes will be the city’s new representative on the Chester County Library Board.
The consideration of an ordinance amending the Municipal Zoning Ordinance to rezone 504 Fourth Street (Tender Loving Daycare) from R-2 Residential to I – Institutional passed on the final reading.
The bid on the Industrial Park Site Development Grant-Phase II Grading Project was awarded to Triple H Backhoe LLC at $487,000.
The review and consideration of adopting a resolution for the following passed: The Resolution concerning a FY 2022 Small Cities Block Grant (CDBG) Child Care Creation grant to authorize, execute and submit an application with the appropriate assurances to the State of Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development, Child Care Creation Grant Program, for funds on behalf of Keestone Academy to complete the necessary eligible activities for the Keestone Academy.