News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Van Buren County Committee A has recommended some $500,000 worth of expenditures through the county’s ARP funding.
Mayor Greg Wilson said a new ambulance headlines the list estimated to cost $200,000.
“Something that we can take that money and contribute to Van Buren County and something for people to be proud of,” Wilson said. “We have to have a new ambulance. We got one that’s down. We’re short an ambulance. That one has a lot of miles. We know if we get a new one we’re going to be able to get to people that need it.”
Wilson said the committee also wants to pay $127,000 to fully pay off a brush truck. Wilson said the county currently spends $4,000 a month on payments.
“This truck is one-year-old, and it doesn’t have that many miles,” Wilson said. “I asked them if we could buy that truck, and then in turn, save $48,000 a year. So in three years, that truck will pay for itself coming off that lease.”
Other recommendations include grants to community centers and fire departments. Wilson said $7,500 allocated for each center and $10,000 for each department. Wilson said each group will need to submit a spending plan in order to benefit.
“The American Rescue Plan Funds you can do grants to non-profits and things of that nature,” Wilson said.
Wilson said a new pole barn at the fairgrounds and an overhang for parking at the agriculture learning center also was approved by committee as well as a new mower and computer upgrades.
Wilson said the commission will need to approve the budget before purchasing.
