When it comes to government spending, it’s more typical for funds to be drawn from other areas of a budget to cover costs of projects that end up being more than estimated. Tonight, Bridgeport City Council will have the pleasure of transferring tens of thousands of dollars of money from a project that came in well under budget to help fund another one.

 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex. The public is encouraged to attend.

 

Last year, when the city opted to paint the exterior of the Benedum Civic Center, escrowed funds were used to cover the costs. Once the project was bid and the work was completed, the painting of the city’s historic structure came in $34,779 under budget.

 

This evening, Council will asked to make a budget revision to transfer those Parks and Recreation funds under the Capital Reserve line item to cover the removal and replacement of all or a portion of the retaining wall at Compton Park. Council will also be asked to approve the contract for the retaining wall project. The wall work, which contains two parts, is for $81,490 and was submitted by Astech Corporation, Inc.

 

Another contract will be up for approval. Council will look to approve the bid for paving the majority of the walking trail at Compton Park and a portion of City Park’s walking trail. Rob Yost, Inc., posted the low bid on that project at $33,296. Click HERE to read a story about both of those bids.

 

Mayor Mario Blount will be asked to enter into a pair of contracts with the Division of Justice and Community Service to receive and administer a JAG Grant for the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force and for one to administer a PRO JAG Grant. The PRO – Prevention Resource Officer – grant is an annual grant that helps fund the position of Prevention Resource Officer Jamie Hamrick who works with the schools in the Bridgeport school system.

 

Also tonight, there will be a handful of appointments to various boards. Lowell “L.J.” Maxey will be appointed as a Fire Civil Service Commissioner. Three individuals will be appointed to the Emergency Services Council – Joseph Bundy, Margaret Howe (proxy for Bundy) and Dennis Klingensmith.

 

The meeting will also include a report by Mayor Mario Blount and Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith. There will be a public meeting for anyone wishing to address City Council. There are no reports by city department heads listed on the official agenda.