By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Sinkhole remediation and Housing Choice Voucher monies topped the Housing Authority of Glasgow’s April 16 agenda.
At the March 19 meeting, the commissioners approved an architectural and engineering contract with American Engineers for “civil site design for sinkhole remediation plan, bidding assistance [and] topographic survey” of the sinkhole at E.P. Terry Estates in Cave City for $23,570, assuming a work time frame could be determined.
Authority attorney Rich Alexander said a reasonable time frame was 60 to 90 working days, and the newly appointed vice chair John Rogers made the motion to “authorize [Alexander] to contact American Engineers to start the process to remediate the sinkhole.”
Though she has gotten no official word, Executive Operations Officer Sheri Lee said after the meeting that the nearby Head Start that had to close its playground due to the encroaching sinkhole, which American Engineers said had gotten bigger due to recent weather, was likely back in compliance since they have fenced in a new outdoor area for play.
Lee also told the commissioners about the federal funds the authority received for its Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps people meet their monthly rent.
“If you’re determined to be eligible [and] you find a place in Barren County to rent and that property owner agrees to accept our voucher [the authority can make up the difference],” Lee said. “Let’s say they want $800 a month in rent but the income you have in the household, based on [the Department of Housing and Urban Development] calculations says you should only be paying $500 a month [then] our program pays the other $300.”
The authority received $115,000 for the program that Lee said was roughly a 2 percent increase over last year, however she said rent prices have gone up roughly 10 percent, if not more, resulting in using more money per family.
“We’ve received more rental assistance money but the cost of rent here has increased to where it takes more rental assistance, so we actually have less money to help the same number of families,” Lee said. “That money doesn’t help the same number of families [it used to].”
In other meeting news, the housing authority commissioners approved lawn maintenance bids; motioning to approve Burris Lawn Care, which is owned by Glasgow councilman Tommy Burris, the contract on four of the authority’s properties and Compton’s Lawn Care the contract for its Cave City property.
Lee also presented the commissioners with a letter signed by Executive Director Carla Brown informing them that Community Action of Southern Kentucky “will no longer have a lease agreement as of close of business on June 30, 2025” on the Glasgow Senior Center.
The next board meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 8 a.m.
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