Loa council compares insulation bids and park lighting for a grant, and asks what sheriff funding would buy
September 10, 2026, 7:30 p.m. · Loa Town Hall, 80 W. Center Street
At its Sept. 10 meeting the Loa Town Council reviewed arsenic levels in its wells, insulation quotes for the civic center and town office, and a $6,600 estimate for lights and cameras at the park for a grant application. The council discussed what the town would get if incorporated towns paid for sheriff's services, with the mayor saying he wants assurances of backup before signing a contract and noting the county has not sent the town a draft agreement. No votes were taken beyond approving payables and the August minutes, and the council held a closed session on pending litigation.
From the draft minutes. Updated November 3, 2026.
In brief
4 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 discussed.
The agenda records 2 dollar amounts, the largest $6,600.
This write-up links 1 source document.
7 members were present and 1 absent (Treasurer Amber Perkins).
Residents raised sheriff funding for towns and building insulation costs.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Contract
Insulation quotes for the civic center and town office
Discussed
Quotes compared two vendors: for 13-inch insulation in the civic center, Loa Builders $5,000 and Houston $2,975; for 16-inch, $6,600 and $4,200. For the town office, 13-inch Houston $680 versus Loa Builders $780, and 16-inch Houston $1,200 versus $1,000. Not an action item because bids were not all in; the council wants the 16-inch option and will act at the next meeting.
- Purchase$4,200 to Houston (insulation quote)
- Civic center, 16-inch: Houston $4,200; Loa Builders $6,600
- Town office, 16-inch: Houston $1,200; Loa Builders $1,000
Parks
Park lights and cameras for the South-Central grant
Discussed
An electrician estimated $6,600 for lights and Wi-Fi cameras at the park for the South-Central grant. Wi-Fi might first need to be installed at the civic center. Council members discussed adding basketball court lights to the application.
- Grant$6,600
Public safety
Sheriff's services and county funding
Discussed
The town clerk said the county had not come to the towns about funding for law enforcement and that no agreement had been drafted, unlike the earlier emergency services contract. The mayor said the town cannot afford its own police force and wants assurances of what the town would receive, including help with loose dogs, before agreeing to pay more. The idea of inviting the sheriff to a meeting was raised.
Other
Community events committee; water ordinances; arsenic results
Discussed
A council member proposed an activities committee and a beautification committee with a set budget per event, and a September fall event next year. The clerk distributed old water ordinances for study. The mayor reported the monthly blended arsenic level was good (well 2 at 0.96, well 3 at 0.116). A regional housing agency representative said the county approved selling land for a housing project and reminded the town that grant applications must now go through the association of governments two weeks before deadlines.
What residents said
Sheriff funding for townsBuilding insulation costs