Henderson holds public hearing on COVID-19 funds

The City of Henderson of Henderson received the good news of having a clean audit on the June 30, 2021 audit report during their monthly mayor and board of aldermen meeting last Thursday.
The city is on a roll of clean audits. Henderson has not had a finding on their audit reports since 2013. Highlights include no department being over budget, having a perfect sanitary survey and more.
Before the regular session of the Henderson Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting, the city had a public hearing on the ARP Funds (COVID relief) to discuss their plans for the money and hear the public’s input.
There were about 20 people in attendance.
Henderson Mayor Bobby King said, “I did want to tell the people what we had got so far this year in COVID money and what it was spent on. I want to be clear about it – You come to our office, you can ask us anything you want to ask us and we’ll tell you what we spend good or bad. You might not agree with us but we will tell you what we spend it on.”
The city received $94,725 in COVID funds from the Tennessee Cares Act which were used on the glass shields in City hall, masks, hand sanitizer and other items that would prevent the spread of COVID.
The city has $1.888 million that they will receive in ARP funds along with $1,206,020 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for water/waste water with a requirement to match 20% of it.
First to express thoughts on ways to spend the funds was Darryl Green, Henderson utility manager. He would like to address water/sewage items which include: aging cast iron water mains; upgrading the electrical system in water plants; upgrading the sewer pump station; and addressing infiltration in the sewer system by replacing or lining faulty sewer pipes.
Alderman Donna Butler mentioned ideas such as expanding the farmer’s market or the city and county working together to turn Vincent High School into a community center.
Henderson resident Marles Flowers of Oasis Community Development Corporation agreed with the idea of Vincent High School being a community center. He also thanked the city for having the hearing. Flowers along with others expressed gratitude for Mayor King and City Recorder Jim Garland explaining everything in depth.
“Thank you so much for having this meeting tonight and opening it up to the community to hear and to know the great things that are available to our community and we support it 1,000 percent,” Flowers said.