The City of Houston is considering a microloan program to assist city businesses in the community, the Houston City Council heard Monday.
Ron Reed, economic development head with the City of Houston, presented information on a fund that would help small businesses and be overseen by the Ozarks Small Business Incubator at West Plains. Houston city government has funds on deposit that were created with business development: A federal grant was received, a business attracted locally and rents paid back to the original fund. Â Â It totals about $150,000.
Those monies could be used for loans for new and expanding businesses. The interest rate would be 4 percent.
The council took no final action.
In other matters, members:
—Approved abandoning an easement between Hiett and Watson streets that allowed for creation of Grace Avenue in the 1920s.
—Approved the purchase of LED lights at a cost of $13,736 from a Kansas City firm. The lights will be used on a stretch running from First Street to Pizza Hut on South U.S. 63. The city also plans to start targeting major intersections and streets over a period of time as lights go out.
—Decided that beginning in January, a new utility shut off policy will go into effect. Delinquent meters will be turned off on the 15th of each month — rather than the 25th. Utilities are due by the 10th monthly. Cutoffs will also be done on Fridays, which previously was not allowed by ordinance. The move is aimed at cutting down on delinquencies on the books.
—Will buy digital radios for the Houston Police Department that are compatible with a statewide system. The outlay will be about $16,700 and funds will come from cost savings from lower fuel costs, capital improvements and jail funds, as well as savings from administrative spending. The city hopes to receive one or two radios through a grant and also obtain better pricing through a state contract. Sgt. Brad Evans is overseeing the project.
—Okayed plans to use an unused fencing once at the chamber grounds for the city’s ball field nearby. The cost of re-installation is about $6,000.