The City of Henderson Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session Thursday, September 10, 2026, in the Council Chamber of Henderson City Hall. Aldermen Buel Maness and Michael Phelps were absent.
First in business, City Board members voted unanimously to name Alderman Donna Butler Vice Mayor. The motion was made by Alderman Mark Barber, who served as Vice Mayor for the previous two two-year terms. The Board approved a number of agenda items, heard updates on various city business and discussed a request to use the drive-through building behind city hall for county taxes.
A decision to move City Board meetings to 6 p.m. was approved on the first reading. This decision will be presented at the October meeting for a second and final reading, and if approved, will go into effect for the November meeting of the City Board.
Two ordinances were approved unanimously on the second and final reading by the Board, these being 2026-2027 Budget amendments related to the replacement of the Fire Engine and Henderson Municipal Code Title 1, Chapter 2 “Mayor” and Chapter 3, “City Recorder.”
Bid information was not yet available for agenda items concerning Fire Hydrant testing and natural gas line installation bids. The Board voted unanimously to give Utility Director Darryl Green and Mayor Terry Bell the authority to move forward with these items if the bids come in within budget.
A dog pound quarantine kennel building was unanimously approved at a cost of $6,938 plus the city’s cost of pouring a concrete slab.
In other business, the Board approved the purchase of Fire turn out gear with grant funds and amended/restated a lease between the City and County and Quality Metal Stamping LLC.
An application for a recycling equipment grant was discussed and will be considered to be used for a new truck.
Alderman Barber shared the City’s Trails and Treats Halloween event will take place from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, October 24 at Gene Record Memorial Park. Additionally, Barber announced the City would close the Splash Pad for the season on September 15.
Alderman Keith Smith discussed potential of an electric sign either in downtown Henderson or near Gene Record Park.
Chester County Trustee Lance Beshires addressed the Board, requesting the use of the drive-through facility located behind City Hall. The building was previously owned by FirstBank and was purchased by the City of Henderson in 2024. Beshires was able to utilize the building earlier this year when the county office building sustained structural damage in February as a result of Winter Storm Fern. Beshires requested use of the building for the entire 2026-2027 tax season, to begin in October and run through the first of March. The Board discussed terms for a potential rental of the facility, with details of space to be provided, building care and maintenance, utilities responsibility and financial compensation for use. Beshires stated that he would be unable to negotiate terms as he did not have authority from the County to do so and would take the City’s terms to present at the County Commission meeting to be held on Monday. Discussion between parties initially arrived at $1,000 per month from October through March with the option to rent by month and leave in February if desired. Utilities would be included in the fee and the County would be responsible for the building’s maintenance.
Beshires again addressed the City later in the meeting, stating that he was uncomfortable with presenting the previous offer to the County and petitioned the Board to reconsider. A final among of $600 per month was agreed upon by the Board, with the same terms. Beshires said he would present the terms to the County on Monday. However, Beshires did not present the option to the Commission during Monday evening’s County Commission meeting.
The Independent spoke with Beshires and with Chester County Mayor Barry Hutcherson Tuesday afternoon for clarity and for a resolution on the subject. Beshires explained that he discussed the terms with Mayor Hutcherson. Beshires said, “He reviewed his budget and offered to absorb the expense of the short-term rental.”
Mayor Hutcherson said he considered the convenience and felt it was important. “Since October through February is a busy time for property taxes, and because we may have additional construction activity which will affect the parking areas outside the Trustee’s office, we wanted to offer the taxpayers a safer and more convenient payment option.”
This meeting is available to listen to online at www.chestercountyindependent.com
