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An emergency called meeting was announced Thursday afternoon for the City of Linden council. Though the meeting Friday morning was short, two important topics were addressed.

Councilman Kelly Anthony brought a request to the council for the fire department to to temporarily borrow $70,230 from the city’s general fund to pay a vendor that the department is currently 60 days overdue for paying.

“We need to keep these vendors happy and keep good credit,” Anthony said as he explained the situation. In November of 2024, the Linden FD was awarded a grant to pay for wildland fire equipment. As they expected the award from FEMA to be deposited during late December or early January, the equipment was ordered, and delivered, in mid December. According to Anthony, the money is there, it just hasn’t cleared yet. His request would allow for the city to be paid back the full amount as soon as the funds were available from the grant. 

Anthony also stated that the equipment has already been put to good use. A wildfire two days ago burned seven acres before the fire department arrived on the scene. Thanks to the new equipment, they were able to control and stop the blaze before more property or lives were damaged.

The council approved his request.

The second item of the agenda-free meeting was a request by Mayor Gwendolyn Rogers for the council to approve the signing and submission of a grant request. The grant from the Delta Regional Authority would provide approximately $150,000 for the city to invest into a “strategic plan.” If awarded, $20,000 will go to the general fund, and the rest will go toward city projects yet to be specified, though discussed, such as a pickle ball court and beautifying Front Street. The final day to apply for the grant is today, February 28. Thus, the emergency meeting.

The request to apply for the grant was approved.

Following the final item, Councilwoman Jan Cannon requested an executive session, which sequesters the council away from all non-members for private discussion.