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Fort Smith Board Approves Over $3.3 Million for Consent Decree Projects and Honorary Street Namings

Fort Smith Board Approves Over $3.3 Million for Consent Decree Projects and Honorary Street Namings

The Fort Smith Board of Directors unanimously approved over $3.3 million in contracts for federal consent decree projects during its recent meeting. The contracts include a $3,047,654.50 agreement with Forsgren, Inc. for sewer system upgrades, which was the lowest bid among four proposals and is part of the city's ongoing commitment to repair and upgrade its sewer system. Additionally, the board approved a $272,900 contract with Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. for engineering services related to 7,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer line and approximately 80 manholes. These projects are mandated by a 2015 federal consent decree with the Justice Department, the EPA, and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality, aimed at addressing sewage runoff into local waterways. The city also approved honorary street namings for Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh and the late Judge Jim Spears.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times The Corpus Christi Caller Times
Lawsuit against Corpus Christi, mayor over hotel funding is dismissed

Lawsuit against Corpus Christi, mayor over hotel funding is dismissed

A lawsuit against the city of Corpus Christi and Mayor Guajardo has been formally dismissed with a settlement of $450,000 in taxpayer funding.
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Functional Mushroom Supplements Face Scrutiny Over Unproven Health Claims and Proprietary Blends

Functional Mushroom Supplements Face Scrutiny Over Unproven Health Claims and Proprietary Blends

Functional Mushroom Supplements Face Scrutiny Over Unproven Health Claims and Proprietary Blends
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Houston City Council Approves $50 Million Deal with The Woodlands to Prevent Future Annexation

Houston City Council Approves $50 Million Deal with The Woodlands to Prevent Future Annexation

The Houston City Council has approved a deal to receive $50 million from The Woodlands Township over the next four years. In exchange, Houston has agreed not to annex the township. This agreement, passed by a 13-to-1 vote, amends a Regional Participation Agreement that began in 2007, which previously required The Woodlands to pay a portion of its sales tax into a Regional Participation Fund (RPF) and provided protection from annexation until 2057. The new amendment eliminates these annual sales tax payments and the long-term RPF structure. The $50 million includes $22.6 million from the existing RPF, which will be directed to Houston's general fund, and an additional $27.4 million in unrestricted funds from The Woodlands, spread over three years. Houston Mayor John Whitmire described the deal as a "win-win," stating the funds would support the city's 24 departments and 23,000 employees. However, Houston Controller Chris Hollins criticized the agreement, calling it a "bad deal" and estimating a potential lo...
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Newton Reorganizes Sustainability Office, Shifts Focus to Implementation Amid Leadership Change

Newton Reorganizes Sustainability Office, Shifts Focus to Implementation Amid Leadership Change

The city of Newton is reorganizing its climate and sustainability office, integrating it into the Department of Public Works (DPW) and re-evaluating its leadership structure. Mayor Marc Laredo's administration announced that Sustainability Co-Chair Ann Berwick would be 'transitioning' out of her role, though Berwick stated she was 'abruptly fired' without a stated reason or discussion about the city's future sustainability plans. This change marks a shift in the city's approach to sustainability, moving from policy development to active implementation and climate adaptation strategies. Newton Chief Operations Officer Josh Morse explained that the reorganization aims to leverage the DPW's extensive resources and infrastructure capabilities to execute climate action plans more effectively. The city has a long history of environmental leadership, dating back to the 1970s with an 'energy engineer' position, and has since expanded its initiatives to include stormwater resiliency and phosphorus reduction program...
The Columbus Dispatch The Columbus Dispatch
Delaware City Council votes not to renew city manager's contract

Delaware City Council votes not to renew city manager's contract

The Aug. 31 meeting was called exclusively to vote on. It came after a series of closed-door conversations between members of the council.
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Minneapolis Public Restroom Initiative Faces Delays Due to Procurement Challenges

Minneapolis Public Restroom Initiative Faces Delays Due to Procurement Challenges

Plans to construct new public restrooms on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, backed by a $700,000 budget amendment, have been put on hold. The delay stems primarily from procurement challenges, as the city has encountered a very limited number of vendors capable of supplying public restrooms that meet its specific requirements. These requirements include movability, independence from city utilities, self-cleaning technology, safety features, and resilience to cold weather. Kathleen Mayell, the city’s director of transportation planning and programming, informed Council members that the small quantity of units planned (five to eight) does not create a sufficient target market for vendors. Consequently, the $700,000 allocated for the project has been moved back to the Streetcar Value Capture Fund to ensure its availability for future restroom initiatives.
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Norman De-Annexation Proposal Raises Concerns Over Essential City Services

Norman De-Annexation Proposal Raises Concerns Over Essential City Services

A de-annexation proposal in Norman, Oklahoma, involving land located east of 60th Avenue, is currently under discussion and has not yet reached the full City Council for a vote. The proposal, initiated by Ward 8 Councilmember Scott Dixon, seeks to examine whether removing some rural land from Norman city limits could reduce general fund expenses, particularly those associated with maintaining roads in far eastern Norman. This area, primarily within Ward 5, is the city's largest and most rural council ward. Residents and city leaders have expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impact of de-annexation on essential services such as police protection, fire response, trash collection, and road maintenance. The idea is still in the study phase, with city staff tasked to analyze the financial implications and service changes.
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Bowling Green City Commissioners Advance Pedestrian Safety Rules and Allocate Additional Sinkhole Repair Funds

Bowling Green City Commissioners Advance Pedestrian Safety Rules and Allocate Additional Sinkhole Repair Funds

Bowling Green city commissioners have moved forward with new pedestrian safety rules for several of the city's busiest roads. The proposed ordinance aims to restrict individuals from remaining stationary in certain public rights-of-way along major streets such as Dishman Lane, Cave Mill Road, and Broadway Avenue. This measure is intended to reduce the risk of pedestrian-involved accidents, following concerns raised by Commissioner Sue Parrigin regarding numerous pedestrian deaths and injuries. The commissioners approved amendments to the proposal, exempting property owners, residents, and their invited guests from the restrictions and removing a previously proposed $20 permit fee. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading on September 15. Concurrently, the commissioners approved an additional $462,550 for demolition and sinkhole repairs, increasing the city's total contract with Scott and Ritter Inc. to $1,642,550. Public Works geologist Nick Lawhon reported that the city is currently managing 11 sin...
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Former Baltimore County Council Members Demand Release of Full Rocky Point Clubhouse Audit Report

Former Baltimore County Council Members Demand Release of Full Rocky Point Clubhouse Audit Report

Six former members of the Baltimore County Council are demanding the release of the unredacted auditor’s report concerning $6.6 million in public funds spent on renovating a golf clubhouse at Rocky Point. The renovation was directed by former County Executive Johnny Olszewski and his successor, Kathy Klausmeier. The former council members, including Tom Quirk, Vicki L. Almond, Vincent J. Gardina, Todd Huff, S.G. “Sam” Moxley, and Wayne Skinner, expressed concern over articles published in The Brew regarding the expenditure. They noted that while current lawmakers and the Klausmeier administration received the full report, key portions were redacted before public disclosure. The letter, sent to Thomas Bostwick, the Council’s secretary and counsel, requests the audit's release under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA). This demand comes amidst revelations that the renovation proceeded despite the Council eliminating its funding in the FY26 budget, raising questions about potential violations of execut...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota County shifts $15.6 million to key evacuation route

Sarasota County shifts $15.6 million to key evacuation route

Sarasota County shifts $15.6 million toward widening River Road and may redirect another $7.5 million from a school grant.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
County Mayor's request to pause meeting didn't go over well | Exclusive

County Mayor's request to pause meeting didn't go over well | Exclusive

Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter canceled a Wellington Chamber appearance after commissioners opposed pausing a packed meeting for 2½ hours.