Tag Archives: Mayor Luke Collins

Celina ambulance employees voiced concerns over equal benefits during Tuesday’s Celina Board of Aldermen meeting. Celina Mayor Luke Collins said police and water department employees will receive pay increases. However, Collins said local EMS workers will not this fiscal year due to financial constraints. Paramedic Andy Hall said members still want to be treated the same compared to other city ... Read More »

Celina is considering a loan to repave downtown streets in the most need. Mayor Luke Collins said USDA Rural Development has indicated Celina could get a 20 year loan with a 2-3 percent interest rate. “It becomes difficult when you have to choose a few roads and maybe doing part of it as opposed to all of it,” Collins said. ... Read More »

Celina has plans to bring more activities to Donaldson Park but getting clearance from the Army Corp of Engineers can extend that process. Mayor Luke Collins said it can take up to two years to gain approval for a project. “It’s just unacceptable,” Collins said. “The people really deserve better. They deserve a streamed line process. I’d certainly love to see ... Read More »

The same Tuesday night the Celina Board of Aldermen gave final approval to a new water rate, it began work on the process for future increases. Mayor Luke Collins said the city has started a water service coverage study. Collins said the outcome could affect customers in city limits. “The time and the cost of working outside the city is ... Read More »

The Celina Board of Aldermen supports Mayor Luke Collins asking Clay County for funding to assist in purchasing the Cumberland River Hospital. The Aldermen passed a motion unanimously at a special called meeting Thursday. Collins said the commission’s answer will determine future negotiations with Hospital Owner Johnny Presley. “It’s a long journey, but I’d like to see us start moving ... Read More »

Celina Board of Aldermen approved the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday that will increase water rates by $2.20. Mayor Luke Collins said the State Comptroller’s Office recommended the change to bring the price to $10.80 per 1000 gallons. “The city of Celina water department has lost money in water five years in a row,” Collins said. “Last year, $255,000 ... Read More »

Celina has created new citizen boards to to explore ideas and address issues in three areas of the community: wages, Donaldson Park and citizen volunteer opportunities. Mayor Luke Collins said he started the groups to gauge what residents want to see happen. “Once the committee gets going, that’s not to say more volunteers can jump right in,” Collins said. “People ... Read More »

Cumberland River Hospital Owner Johnny Presley said he is interested in negotiating with Celina officials to reopen the facility. Presley said Celina passing a resolution supporting the hospital gives him a strong will to bring back medical services. “Obviously, my goal is to get the hospital reopened for the citizens and residents for Clay County,” Presley said. “Right now, if ... Read More »

The newly elected Celina Mayor and Board of Aldermen wasted no time starting city business Tuesday, passing a resolution in support of the Cumberland River Hospital. The hospital closed last August after disagreements with local EMS and financing issues. Mayor Luke Collins said the intent is to show that Celina wants the hospital open. “The hospital is not gone yet,” ... Read More »