Ashland commission adopts budget, approves grants and contracts, tables water-line item

The Ashland Board of City Commissioners on May 28 approved the city’s 2026–27 budget and several routine ordinances, authorized the mayor to submit the 2026 Community Development Block Grant annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and approved a small change order for a fire station shower project. The commission also adopted a Safe Streets and Roads for All safety action plan required as part of a federal grant application and tabled a bond-related item so staff can obtain more detailed cost information on water-line replacements.

The commission moved and approved second reading and final adoption of the budget ordinance that appropriates revenues and sets expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Commissioners likewise approved submission of the city’s 2026 CDBG annual action plan to HUD and authorized the mayor to execute grant documents on behalf of the city.

The body approved change order number one with Tri-State Construction and Enterprise LLC, increasing the contract for the Ashland Fire Department shower installation by $1,386. Council members approved a one-year service agreement with S4 Water Sales and Service LLC to service the water-treatment plant’s total organic carbon analyzer in the amount of $6,275.

On a separate procedural motion, commissioners moved to table an item related to the preparation and sale of bonds to allow staff time to identify which water lines require replacement and to refine cost estimates. Public-works staff said a break at a water intake line and other issues require additional evaluation; the item will return when staff has more information.

Several consent-agenda items were approved, and the commission authorized a municipal order designating Howard Harrison as the city’s representative for a forthcoming conference.

The meeting recessed for a tour of the city wastewater treatment plant. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; votes were conducted by voice.