The Salem City Council Monday night instructed Finance Director Kellie Barrow to seek proposals for bond counsel to represent the city in the refinancing of bonds on the Aquatic Center and Waste Water Treatment Plant. She was instructed to return with a recommendation on the firm to use.
With current low-interest rates, Barrow feels the city can save $100,000 to $150,000 through the remaining life of the bonds.
Mayor Nic Farley was assured local banks would get a first chance to purchase the bonds once the bond counsel was in place.
In other action, the board awarded a contract to G and L Tank and Sandblasting of Shelby, Tennessee to repaint one of the city’s two west side water towers at a cost of $102,050. The bid was considerably under estimate, but the council elected after discussion to wait until the next fiscal year to paint the second tower.
Barrow reported two pieces of the inclusive playground were not made correctly and the installation project in Bryan Memorial Park is on hold until the two pieces can be made. With COVID delays, that is expected to take about three weeks.
Barrow says they cannot move forward on other parts of the playground project until the installation is complete. However, work can continue on the installation of other new park amenities and the goal is still to have all the work completed by the end of November.
Former candidate for Mayor Brock Waggoner complained to the council about adequate information not being provided to the public about the need for the recent large water rate increase.
“We have an issue in this government with transparency. Transparency is a salve that fixes things. And we aren’t transparent the optics of that tell me something is fishy. And there are a lot of people in this city who see it the same way.”
While City Manager Rex Barbee denied there was anything “fishy” he will provide a full explanation of the need for the water rate increase on the city’s website by Thursday.
