Mount Vernon City Council has expedited the approval process for a playground equipment purchase in order to meet a grant deadline. The council took the purchase straight to its final reading to ensure that the city can benefit from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the installation of the equipment in the Dan Emmett area.

According to draft minutes from the City Council's meeting on October 23, the city will spend approximately $90,000 to purchase the playground equipment from Mid States Recreation. The purchase will be made through a cooperative purchasing program called Sourewell, which allows the city to take advantage of lower prices.

City Engineer Brian Ball emphasized the urgency of the purchase, stating that a deadline is approaching to use the funds from the CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Grant. The $90,000 in funding for the playground equipment comes from a total of $750,000 in CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Grant funds that the city received in 2022.

By expediting the approval process, Mount Vernon City Council is ensuring that the playground equipment purchase can be made in a timely manner, allowing the city to meet the grant deadline and proceed with the installation. The playground equipment will contribute to the revitalization efforts in the Dan Emmett area, providing a new recreational space for the community to enjoy.