GARLAND — The town’s Board of Commissioners went right to work at its Monday meeting, approving purchases that, they hope, will stand to make the town better.
Commissioner Austin Brown stressed to his fellow board members that the Public Works department has needed both a new lawnmower and a tractor for some time. He then made a motion to purchase a John Deere tractor with a six-foot finishing mower included for $29,750. Brown suggested splitting the cost between three different departments.
“As far as how we’re gonna pay for it, let Buildings pitch in, let Parks and Recreation pitch in, and Streets,” Brown stressed after making his motion.
Mayor Ralph Smith Jr. asked Samantha Hobbs, the town clerk and finance officer, if the cost would put the budget in a bind.
“We could do that, yes. … It should not, no,” Hobbs clarified, in noting that the town had the money and the purchase would not cause a burden to the 2026-27 fiscal plan.
Brown explained that a six-foot mower would be best suited to go down the lines in the graveyards. He also justified the need for a tractor, pointing out that there are some large lots in town that have to be maintained.
“Personally, I think the tractor is the way to go,” stated Brown. “I think it’ll kill a lot of our problems at the same time.”
“This could be a year-round piece of equipment,” Mayor Smith acknowledged.
“My thinking is, for the price of it, we’re spending this every three years, and this would be (good for) 15 years. At one time, it’s gonna cost us more,” Smith summarized.
Brown made the motion, Commissioner Sean Melvin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The new lawnmower and tractor will arrive sometime in September.
Banners to
honor veterans
Also during Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Barbara Peterson made a motion to allow Helping Hands Change Makers to hang veteran banners on poles around town in October for the Garland Community Day parade, hosted by the Change Makers. The banners would come down after Veterans Day in November.
Each banner would cost $175, Peterson explained, stressing that the cost is not for profit. Helping Hands Change Makers is a nonprofit whose goal is to honor veterans, and much of the money received would go towards creating the banners.
“What we’re setting out to do is recognize our veterans. I want to put something out here and make it be known: this is not a moneymaker.”
Peterson made a motion to accept the project, “to show support and love to our veterans here in town, and anyone else who would love to purchase a banner.”
Commissioner Shavonia West seconded the motion, and it also passed unanimously.
A potential grant
for Senior Center
Before the meeting ended, Mayor Smith asked Commissioners Melvin and Brown to travel to the Garland Senior Citizens Center at some point that night to evaluate what needs to be done to apply for a grant that would assist in improving the center’s appearance. Smith explained that the building is in bad shape.
“It needs new siding, new windows, all of that, and we’re applying for a grant to try and help…get the building redone. We like to take care of our elderly here in town. … We’re an aging community, and so we want to give them something nice to be in; fix it up for them a little bit.”
No action was taken, but the two commissioners agreed to visit the center and report back their findings.