Demopolis City Council extends line of credit to Tombigee Healthcare Authority for another year

The Demopolis City Council voted to allow the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority to use the city’s line of credit for another year while the authority tries to secure their own financing.

The city allowed Tombigbee Healthcare Authority, which operates Whitfield Regional Hospital, to borrow $10 million on the city’s line of credit two years ago to complete renovations of the hospital, according to Mayor Woody Collins. The healthcare authority has been looking for a bank that will loan them money on their own line credit, but no bank has been willing to do so at a reasonable interest rate, Collins said.

At their Sept. 18 meeting, the city council voted to extend the line of credit to the healthcare authority for another year as their search for financing continues. Collins said that Tombigbee Healthcare Authority has made all the payments on the loan.

The city council nominated two men to fill a vacancy on the Demopolis School Board.

Lee Jordan is senior manager of project technology support at medical company Icon Clinical. Chip Hughes is a homebuilder. The council will select one to serve on the board on Oct. 16.

The council approved a rezoning request for property on Highway 80 near Fire Station No. 2 for a medical cannabis dispensary. No such store exists in Demopolis, although several have been proposed, Collins said.

The council also approved rezoning of two home lots on the block owned by the Healthcare High School. Collins said the homes will be removed, giving the new high school control of an entire block on Walnut Street.

Collins said the city has nine grants in process, which he described as “absolutely phenomenal.” Grants include the new pavilion in the park, sidewalks, work at the SportsPlex and an upgrade of the airport runway.