Wrens reviews recent list of grant-funded projects
Citizens of the city of Wrens vocal support of SPLOST initiatives are soon going to see their votes for city and county initiatives come to fruition.
Last Tuesday night's meeting, April 1, had a brief agenda and after the procedural votes and approval of agenda and past work session minutes, City Manager Arty Thrift walked the council and those assembled through the city's finances. Thrift went over the revenue and expenses of the different funds that make up the city's budget.
'Right now we are in a positive position regarding the budget, but we have projects that we are doing which will have expenses. We also know that the budget starts tighten in the summer months,' Thrift said.
Before starting the financial presentation, Thrift shared the news that DTS was the company contracted to remove all storm debris from Hurricane Helene off roadsides throughout Jefferson County, including Wrens.
'1,370,000 cubic yards of debris has been hauled off from Jefferson County," Thrift said. "This is the end of the paid removal, so if anyone still has debris on their property it will be the responsibility of the property owner to remove any remaining debris."
The 2023 CDBG Housing Grant is a million dollar grant that will remodel, rehab, and repair 10 residential homes in the Magnolia Heights Subdivision. According CSRA Grant Administrator Sydney Stouffer two houses have been completed and three more are scheduled for a contract sign up.
One of the major future expenses for the city of Wrens will be a new well project. Turnipseed Engineers stated the project will cost $2,498,300.
Thrift said the city has agreed to pay $185,000 towards the project. The city received a $2,313,300 grant from GEFA that would grant $2,081,894 in principal forgiveness.
'That would leave us with a balance of $231,300," Thrift said. "Considering the $185,000 initial outlay, the city's total commitment is $416,300 (projected cost). Regarding the $231,300 balance we have some options on how to pay that. GEFA can set up a long term loan to pay off the balance. However, we do have money from the 2022 SPLOST that we have earmarked for water/sewer projects including $181,538 for water/sewer projects.'
Updating the well project, the test well has been dug. Water has to be tested for quality and analyzed to make sure it is safe to bathe in, cook and drink for the citizens of Wrens. In addition the volume requirements need to be 1,000 gallons per minute.
'We also still have funds from the American Rescue Plan Act 2021, which was a federal grant program associated with COVID relief," Thrift said. "We have $345,509 left on the grant which the city dedicated to water system projects. This could assist in helping finance the new well project and the American Tank Maintenance Project. Once the new well is built you have to maintain the tank and the EPA inspects them and maintenance can be expensive.'
Wrens also was awarded a 2022 GEFA grant of $100,000.
Throughout Thrift's report he reiterated his and the council's gratitude for citizens voting for SPLOST over the years.
'I want to tell you how much easier it makes our job when we have a citizens that vote for SPLOST so we can do projects and make improvements. Not just Wrens but Jefferson County always has supported SPLOST votes,' Thrift said.
The city also received a CSRA TIA that can be used for transportation projects, equipment, and administration. Wrens Fire Department received a 2024 First Responder grant of $15,000 that the department has already ordered the equipment.
Thrift also pointed to a couple of projects that have been funded by Local Maintenance Improvement Grant from GDOT, $42,564 from 2024 is helping cover paving costs on Chalker Street and 2024 Supplemental that provided $58,167 for Howard Street and Mathews Street.
'The 2025 grant will focus on Washington Street," Thrift said. "We got $49,234 from GDOT. The total cost to complete the paving will be $219,000. However, since half of the street is in the city limits of Wrens and half in the county, Jefferson County will help pay for half of the paving. We have also applied for the 2026 grant.'
A grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for $23,799 from 2025 helped the police department purchase laser cam and reimburse for program specific work hours and objectives.
'We have also applied for a $17,000 grant for 2026 that is also program specific objectives and work hours," Thrift said. "The program requires us to get out and protect the roads. Make sure we are doing road checks and we send in traffic ticket numbers and DUI's. This grant helps us with expense of doing that.'
Finally, Thrift had decided to apply for $15,000 grant from the AARP. Originally, Thrift's goal was to build a pavilion at Johnson Lake. However, since the city didn't meet the specific requirements of the grant, Thrift began to work with Tammie Bennett from Jefferson County Leisure Center, which serves all Jefferson County seniors including those in Wrens.
'We were able to take this grant and we are going to be able to purchase some exercise bikes, treadmills, and other equipment that will help the seniors active,' Thrift said.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Wrens manager reviews current grants and coming projects
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Previewing Q2 Earnings Expectations
The expectation is for Q2 earnings to increase by +5.1% from the same period last year on +3.8% higher revenues. This will be a material deceleration from the +11.9% earnings growth in Q1 on +3.6% revenue growth. In the unlikely event that actual Q2 earnings growth for the S&P 500 index turns out to be +5.1%, as currently expected, this will be the lowest earnings growth pace for the index since the +4.3% growth rate in 2023 Q3. We have been regularly flagging in recent weeks that 2025 Q2 earnings estimates have been steadily decreasing, as shown in the chart below. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The magnitude of cuts to 2025 Q2 estimates since the start of the period is larger and more widespread compared to what we have become accustomed to seeing in the post-COVID period. Since the start of April, Q2 estimates have declined for 14 of the 16 Zacks sectors (Aerospace and Utilities are the only sectors whose estimates have increased), with the largest cuts to Conglomerates, Autos, Transportation, Energy, Basic Materials, and Construction sectors. Estimates for the Tech and Finance sectors, the largest earnings contributors to the S&P 500 index, accounting for more than 50% of all index earnings, have also been cut since the quarter got underway. But as we have been pointing out in recent weeks, the revisions trend for the Tech sector has notably stabilized in recent weeks, which you can see in the chart below. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research We see this same trend at play in annual estimates as well. The chart below shows the Tech sector's evolving earnings expectations for full-year 2025 Image Source: Zacks Investment Research A likely explanation for this stabilization in the revisions trend is the easing of tariff uncertainty after the more punitive version of the tariff regime was delayed. Analysts started revising their estimates lower in the immediate aftermath of the early April tariff announcements, but appear to have since concluded that those punitive tariff levels are unlikely to get levied, helping stabilize the revisions trend. The chart below shows current Q2 earnings and revenue growth expectations in the context of the preceding four quarters and the coming three quarters. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The chart below shows the overall earnings picture on a calendar-year basis. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research In terms of S&P 500 index 'EPS', these growth rates approximate to $254.04 for 2025 and $287 for 2026. The chart below shows how these calendar year 2025 earnings growth expectations have evolved since the start of Q2. As you can see below, estimates fell sharply at the beginning of the quarter, which coincided with the tariff announcements, but have notably stabilized over the last four to six weeks. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Key Earnings Reports This week The Q2 earnings season will really get going when the big banks come out with their June-quarter results in about a month. But we will have officially counted almost two dozen quarterly reports from S&P 500 members by then. All of those reports will be from companies with fiscal quarters ending in May, which we and other research organizations count as part of the June-quarter tally. We have seen such fiscal May-quarter results from four S&P 500 members, including last Wednesday's strong release from Oracle ORCL. We have another six S&P 500 members scheduled to report results this week, including Accenture ACN, Lennar LEN, and others. Oracle shares were up significantly following the beat-and-raise quarterly release, which came after two consecutive quarterly reports that market participants had found disappointing. Oracle's cloud growth appears to have finally arrived, with fiscal 2026 cloud revenues expected to grow by +40%, up from the fiscal 2025 growth rate of +24% (Oracle's fiscal year ends in May). As noted earlier, the stock has spiked on the earnings release and is now up +29.3% this year, handily outperforming the S&P 500 index (up +2.1%) and the Zacks Tech sector (up +2.5%). Shares of IT consulting firm Accenture have been under pressure lately, reflecting a challenging operating environment for its end-markets. The stock is down -11.4% this year, which compares to a +2.1% gain for the S&P 500 index and a +2.5% gain for the Zacks Tech sector. The issues in the Accenture story, in a generalized qualitative sense, pertain to the negative effects on corporate IT budgets of the ongoing tariff uncertainty and the deflationary effects of AI-driven operating efficiencies. One could argue that Accenture's scale lends its results considerable stability, particularly in comparison to other peers like India-based Infosys, TCS, and Wipro. But these macro headwinds nevertheless limit the stock's near-term upside potential. The company is scheduled to report results on June 20th, with estimates essentially unchanged over the last two months. Lennar, the homebuilder, is scheduled to report results after the market's close on Monday, June 16th. The homebuilder is expected to bring in $1.97 per share in earnings on $8.24 billion in revenues, representing year-over-year changes of -41.7% and -5.97%, respectively. This is a challenging environment for Lennar and other homebuilders, with demand hindered by affordability concerns and elevated mortgage rates. The stock was down after each of the last five quarterly releases and has lost roughly a fifth of its value this year (down -20.3%), which compares to the Zacks Construction sector's -1.9% decline and the S&P 500 index's +2.2% gain. Q2 Earnings Season Scorecard As noted earlier, we have already seen fiscal May-quarter results from four S&P 500 members, which we include in our Q2 tally. Total earnings for these four index members that have reported results are up +4.7% from the same period last year on +8.6% revenue gains, with 75% of the companies beating EPS estimates and all beating revenue estimates. The comparison charts below put the Q2 earnings and revenue growth rates for these index members in a historical context. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The comparison charts below put the Q2 EPS and revenue beats percentages in a historical context. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research We are not drawing any conclusions from these results, given the small sample size at this stage. But we nevertheless wanted to put these early results in a historical context. For a detailed view of the evolving earnings picture, please check out our weekly Earnings Trends report here >>>> Earnings Estimates Stabilize: A Closer Look Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Accenture PLC (ACN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Oracle Corporation (ORCL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lennar Corporation (LEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kissler: Will Tariffs Continue to Drive Energy Markets?
In the past, the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects were a major driver influencing global energy markets. However, this year, the tariffs implemented by the U.S. to try to balance global trade supplanted the post-COVID environment as a major influencer. That said, just how much tariffs will continue to impact energy markets depends on a number of variables, such as the tariffs' eventual size and scope. Moreover, in the case of natural gas, other factors—such as weather, travel and the immense power needs of artificial intelligence (AI)—may prove to be larger influencers. In fact, to some extent, the tariffs' impact on energy markets already seems to be dissipating. While sending energy and equity prices reeling the first month of implementation, the tariffs have had seemingly less of an effect on U.S. demand as we have entered middle of the year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a record number of travelers in the U.S. going into Memorial Day weekend. However, at the same time, these tariffs have been detrimental to oil demand in Asia, particularly in China, as that region bears most of the tariff burdens. The numbers say it all: Chinese refinery run rates moved well below their five-year averages as crude imports dropped substantially. Crude futures also touched the lowest levels since 2021. Another big factor has been anticipated production increases. OPEC+ has pledged to increase production over the next several months and is estimated to bring back most of the 2 MMbbl/d cuts from the previous years. At the same time, the Trump administration has promised to lower oil prices. Between the Saudi/OPEC production increases and the tariffs' impact on oil markets, that goal may be achieved. On the flip side, the only factors supporting higher oil prices have mostly been geopolitical in nature. These include: the harsh sanctions expected against Iran; the Russia/Ukraine peace talks stalling, which could lead to more sanctions on Russia; and the Israel/Hamas tensions maintaining unrest in the Middle East. Altogether, the real question going forward will be if the seasonal summer travel demand can take up the slack caused by tariffs and OPEC+. The current consensus is that it's not likely, and WTI prices are expected to remain in the $58-$65/bbl area. Of course, many 'what ifs' remain. Partly because of the shift in U.S. presidential administration, green energy is losing its luster. Wind and solar still will be contributing factors, but just not at the subsidized pace seen in the past. That said, there will likely be more solar power sources in the Sunbelt states, and more areas driven by wind-generated power, but now these power sources must be able to stand on their own economically, which should send more demand to the oil and gas sector in the longer term. Shifting focus to natural gas, the expansion of AI and greater demand for LNG will be the major drivers supporting prices. That's as AI expansion is set to double in the next three to five years. It currently pulls 4% of the U.S. power grid, but that figure could move to over 9%. If you add in the expansion of LNG from 11 Bcf/d to 12 Bcf/d of natural gas in the next four to five years, one must wonder where the supply will come from. However, in the near term, weather has been relatively mild so far in 2025, which is pulling less natural gas supplies. That's as current production is in the range of 105.2 to 106 Bcf/d, whereas in 2024, the midyear average production was near the 101 BCF/day. And so, we will need to see some above-average temperatures this summer if we are to see prices comfortably over the $4/MMBtu. While the distant horizon looks bright for natural gas—and likely will be—there is still a lot of time in between. Weather demand will still be a price-driver going forward. As of early June, 2025 has been a bit mild, but weather may change things very quickly.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Heart of the Valley YMCA announces new president and CEO
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Heart of the Valley YMCA has announced Rob Gray as its next president and Chief Executive Officer. The YMCA said Gray will take over on August 11. The organization said Gray brings over 30 years of experience with the YMCA from various posts around the country. He most recently served as CEO of the Bath Area Family YMCA in Maine, but has also served in leadership positions in Maryland, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. Madison County BoE approves bid for construction of new middle school in Hazel Green 'Rob is a transformational leader with deep experience in mission-driven leadership andoperational excellence,' Board Chair of the Heart of the Valley YMCA Jared Sharp said. 'His commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community building makes him theideal person to lead our YMCA into its next chapter.' The YMCA said that while in Maine, Gray led the organization's post-COVID recovery and growth efforts and increased membership by 48 percent, and launched a $6 million capital campaign. 'I am deeply honored to join the Heart of the Valley YMCA, an organization with a stronglegacy of strengthening communities in North Alabama,' Gray said. 'Together with thestaff, volunteers, and partners, I look forward to advancing the Y's mission to put Christianprinciples into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.' The new CEO comes as Heart of the Valley YMCA has recently dealt with several issues. In August of 2024, the organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing mortgage debt from the Hogan YMCA in Madison. The bankruptcy led to the YMCA selling Camp Cha-La-Kee in Guntersville. The organization also announced the closure of its Downtown Huntsville location in April, saying that its lease with Huntsville Utilities expires on August 31. Heart of the Valley YMCA said that the closure has nothing to do with its bankruptcy and is entirely due to the expiration of the lease. The organization told News 19's Emily Moessner at the time that it was looking for other spaces downtown and is committed to continuing to serve the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
