Hope City Board

The City of Hope Board of Directors convened for their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, July 1st 7:00 p.m. Mayor Don Still officially called the meeting to order. The invocation was delivered by Director Dr. Linda Clark, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Director Steve Montgomery.

The meeting opened with informal remarks about the day’s weather and the anticipated heat during the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations.

Key Items Discussed: • Landfill Equipment Upgrade Approved The board unanimously approved an ordinance to purchase a new Caterpillar D5 Dozer for the city landfill. Landfill Superintendent Mark Curtis emphasized the need to replace the aging 2004 Caterpillar D5N dozer, citing frequent repairs and inefficiency. The old equipment will be designated as surplus and sold at public auction. • Financial Report and Recognition City Clerk Cindy Clark was commended for her diligent work in maintaining the financial records and ensuring the board remains informed. The financial report was reviewed and discussed in detail. • Positive Revenue Outlook and Grant Opportunity City Manager J.R. Wilson reported a favorable revenue outlook and mentioned a potential $1.5 million grant for radiology equipment. He also previewed the upcoming August 5, 2025, board meeting, which will include presentations from architects and engineers. • Juneteenth Celebration Support Charles Primus, chairperson of Hope’s Juneteenth celebration, addressed the board requesting fee-free use of the city park for next year’s event. While the board denied the official request, several individual board members pledged personal donations to support the celebration. Executive Session and Adjournment: The board entered an executive session to discuss a personnel matter involving the potential hiring of an additional finance staff member. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Don Still following the executive session.