What: a joint city and police jury purchase of property for a community college energy workforce training facility backed by a $20 million grant.
Where it stands: approved 5-2 on 2026-10-21; Ronnie Harvey Jr. and Craig Marks voted no, arguing the city should hold title or a lien on property it funds until a compliance period ends.
Next: closing of the purchase; whether grant terms require the college to own the lot.
The mayor said the college won a $20 million grant for a plant-like facility where students train on rotating shifts, and that the site is an old roofing company lot.
Funds set aside for corridor beautification shift to the purchase, covering about two-thirds of the city share.
Two members objected to the city not taking title or a lien, unlike earlier projects. Vote 5-2.