August 4, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes
Benson Housing Authority
BHA Conference Room                                                                                                                   
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Monday August 4, 2025
5:30 p.m.

1. Call Meeting to Order  - Chairman Bell 
   Chairman Donnell Bell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
   
   
2. Roll Call - Chairman Bell 
   Chairman Donnell Bell called the roll with the following commissioners present, Donnell Bell, Cleo McKinnon, Keith Langdon, Florese White, Justin Powell, William Godwin, and Hazel Nelson. Director Allen Brown was present. With a Quorum being established, Chairman Bell gave an opening prayer and the meeting proceeded.
   
   
3. Consent Agenda Items - Chairman Bell 
   1. Consider approving Minutes for July 7, 2025 Regular Meeting
   2. Consider Vacancy Report
   3. Consider Checks Paid Report
   4. Consider Benson Police Department Incident Report
      Request Action: Commissioner Langdon made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented; a second was given by Commission McKinnon. There was no discussion, the motion was approved.
      
      
4. Public Comment - Chairman Bell
   None
   
   
5. Old Business - Chairman Bell 
   None
   
   
6. New Business - Chairman Bell
   1. Consider June 2025 Financial Statements - Allen Brown, Executive Director 
      Director Brown presented the June 2025 Financial Statement. There were no questions or concerns.
      
      
   2. Consider Aged Accounts Receivable Write Offs - Allen Brown, Executive Director 
      Request Action: Director Brown presented the uncollected aged accounts receivables totaling $2,471.96 that are to be written off per the BHA write-off policy. Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve a resolution to write off the uncollected accounts receivable totaling $2,471.96. Commissioner White gave a second, there was no further discussion; the motion and resolution passed.
      
      
   3. Consider Audit Engagement Letter from Gregory Redman, CPA - Allen Brown, Executive Director
      Request Action: Director Brown presented the Engagement Letter from Auditor Gregory T. Redman for the BHA FYE 2025 Annual Audit. The proposed cost of the Audit is $10,000.00. Commissioner Langdon made a Motion and Resolution to approved the Engagement Letter for the Audit. A second was given by Commissioner Nelson. The Motion and Resolution was approved.
      
      
   4. Consider Renewal of Lawn care Contract - Allen Brown, Executive Director
      Request Action: Director Brown presented a request to extend the Lawn Care Contract for Bahena's Lawn Care for one year. A new RFP will need to be executed at the end of this term. Commissioner  McKinnon made a motion to approve a resolution to extend the Contract with Bahena's Lawn Care for one-year effective September 2025. Commissioner White gave a second. The Motion and Resolution was approved.
      
      
   5. Consider COLA and Merit Pay for Staff - Allen Brown, Executive Director
      Request Action: Director Brown presented a chart showing the average inflation rate of 2.6% and proposed a 2.5% COLA for the entire staff. Director Brown also proposed a merit increase for staff after evaluations. Commissioner McKinnon asked about the uncertainty in the Federal Government and if an increase in wages was a good idea. There was some other discussion from the board. Commissioner Godwin made a motion to approve a resolution awarding a 2.5% COLA and to table the Merit until September. A second was given by Commissioner Powell. The Motion and Resolution was unanimously approved.
      
      
7. Executive Director Report - Allen Brown 
   Director Brown presented the Executive Director Report.
   
   
8. Board of Commissioners Report/Comments - Commissioners 
   None
   
   
9. Adjournment - Chairman 
   With no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.