07/22/15  Fordyce Council votes 3 to 2 And Renews Lease On Cotton Belt Depot

By a vote of 3-2...three voting in favor, two voting against...the Fordyce City Council last night voted to renew the lease on the former Cotton Belt Depot, which now houses a restaurant, run by Patricia Owens of Fordyce. Owens had a 36 month lease on the property entered into on June 6, 2011,  and expiring on June 30, of last year. 

According to the wording of the lease, Owens had an option to renew the lease for 500 dollars per month but never acted upon that option, instead negotiating with the city for 350 per month. On the advise of City Attorney Tom Wynne, the council voted to have a new lease drawn up commencing on August 1^st of this year, expiring August 1^st, 2017. We asked Mayor McNichol why Owens was allowed to get by for this long without abiding by the lease agreement.

Five council members attended the special meeting, Don Parson, Jeff Ballard, Melvin Collins, Barbara Spears and John Daniel.  Parson and Spears voted against the new lease.. Spears told us why she opposed it.

Council member John Daniel voted in favor of a new lease and Owens paying 350 dollars a month.

So Patricia Owens will be given the opportunity to sign a new lease for a two year period at a price she is willing to pay.