The Webster Progress-Times

A combination of grant and loan money should help the city of Eupora repave more streets than originally planned.

The Board of Aldermen voted July 6 to set aside an actual cash outlay of $250,000 from general fund reserves to overlay as many streets as possible with that amount. Street improvements were further discussed at a special called meeting Monday afternoon, according to city officials.

The discussion, said City Clerk Lesa Hardin, resulted in a motion by Hank Flowers (Ward 4) to apply for a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant and a loan for a total of $175,000 to also be used for street paving. Robert Calvin Mays (Ward 1) seconded the motion, which passed 4-0. Alderman At-Large Mike Hillhouse was unable to attend.

The city will pay 85 percent of that amount and Rural Development will pay 15 percent if the grant is awarded. Hardin said the city, based upon unofficial confirmation, is relatively sure it will receive the 15 percent grant. A public hearing will be required as part of the grant application. The city will borrow interim funding to pay its required amount, said Hardin, based upon the best interest rate quoted by banks that are contacted.

As part of his motion, Flowers asked that city workers level the curb along the sidewalk by First Baptist Church on Fox Avenue as soon as possible. Aldermen approved those repairs in May 2003. Mayor Pete Fortner is to report back to the board about progress on that work in August.

The city board selected streets to be repaved, using Calvert-Spradling Engineers' cost estimates for each, during a work session on July 13 and during Monday's meeting. Engineering fees are 9 percent of the construction cost, according to Hardin.

The streets, or portions thereof, selected for paving within the city limits using reserve funds were South Azalea Drive, East Pecan Avenue, East Gum Avenue, East Elm Avenue, East Cedar Avenue, West Figgatt Avenue, West Gould Avenue, East Fox Avenue, West Fox Avenue, North Dunn Street, North Gold Street, West Clark Avenue, South Allen Street from Highway 182 to Adams Street, North Gifford Street from Highway 182 to Naron Street, Mt. Vernon Road and Edgewood Drive.

In addition, this "wish list" of streets was agreed upon if the USDA grant is received: West Figgatt, West Gould, South Allen, Dunlap, East Fox and Whites Creek.

Fortner said J.J. Ferguson Sand & Gravel, which is under contract with the city to do the paving, expects to begin next week.

Including reserve funds used last year for street paving, the amount spent from that source in 2003 and 2004 will total $460,000. The general reserve fund now totals $454,000.