Committee authorizes multiple grant applications and a one-year school-contract extension

Committee members approved forwarding several grant applications and a contract extension to the council.

Police Chief Hodes requested permission to apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for 2026 to purchase training-room desks and chairs; the committee authorized the application by voice vote.

Streets and drainage staff asked to apply to the Arkansas Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for a detention pond in the Western Woods subdivision, a 75/25 match with a maximum award of $300,000; staff described existing drainage issues and supported the match request.

General manager Todd Peterson described a separate Hazard Mitigation-style application to convert overhead electric feed to underground service for about 26 homes between Rolling Brook Drive and Greenbrook Drive to improve reliability, estimating a cost of about $100,000 for the small demonstration area; staff said most work would be in-house and the meter reconnection portion would be bid to an electrician.

The committee also approved a one-year extension of the town’s contract with the Selen County Career Technical Campus for the 2026–27 school year.