McComb officials agreed Friday to start two projects using American Rescue Plan Act money — improving stormwater drainage in the Donna Heights area and adding lights to local parks.
The board voted June 14 to spend about $1 million of the $3.2 million of ARPA funds, and two of the projects approved then came up for discussion Friday.
Selectman Shawn Williams initially brought the matter to the board's attention since the Donna Heights is in Ward 4, which he represents. The board agreed to use $150,000 of ARPA funds for the project at the June 14 meeting, and Williams said Friday it needs another $70,000.
"After talking with Neel-Schaffer, they came out and they looked at it," he said. "They gave an assessment of it. With the matching grant that would come with it, we would need to add $70,000."
Selectman Ted Tullos said he opposed the vast majority of ARPA projects that were not for the water, sewer and stormwater system, holding out hope for the state to match water, sewer and stormwater projects dollar for dollar.
"Will that be matched dollar for dollar?" Tullos asked of the Donna Heights stormwater project.
"Yes," Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said.
The board also authorized Neel-Schaffer Inc. to advertise for installing LED lights for the Martin Luther King Center and East McComb Activities Field.
The board voted 4-2 to use $400,000 in ARPA funds for the projects at the previous meeting, with Williams and selectmen Donovan Hill, Ronnie Brock and Devante Johnson in favor and Tullos and Selectman Michael Cameron opposed.
The vote was 4-1 on Friday to allow Neel-Schaffer to advertise for the project with Williams, Cameron, Brock and Johnson in favor. Tullos opposed and Hill was absent.
