Council OKs auto hike on its utilities

On its second reading, an ordinance setting water and waste water rates that includes an annual 3 percent increase to cover the cost of inflation, carried on a 4-2 vote Monday by the Flomaton Town Council.

A second reading was required due to the first reading not receiving unanimous support. Council Members Buster Crapps and Lillian Dean had objected to the automatic 3 percent increase.

In Monday night's vote, Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., and Council Members Roger Adkinson, Jim Johnson and Charlie Reardon voted yes. Crapps and Dean voted no.

Dumpster

The council also moved forward with its plan to spend about $14,000 for the fencing, cameras and a closure gate for the dumpster located behind town hall.

The town has had problems with illegal dumping at the site, which is supposed to be used by Flomaton residents only and does not include household garbage or electronics disposal.

Under the new proposal, residents will have to pay to use the dumpster and must first go to town hall where the automatic gate will be opened.

Councilman Jim Johnson said the expense will eventually pay for itself since once the illegal dumping is stopped it will cut down on how many times the town has to pay to have it hauled away.

Property

The town council agreed to get appraisals on the buildings it currently owns in order to possibly sell those buildings.

Mayor Bondurant said he needed council approval to get the appraisals, which include buildings across from town hall.

The council also agreed to proceed with donating and-or selling about a 0.2 acre lot the town owns across Highway 31 from Church's Chicken.

Mayor Bondurant said he had been approached by Steve Creamer about putting a business in that location but needed the town's small portion.

Mayor Bondurant said the 0.2 acres was federal land for a roadside park and that the town swapped the acreage to create that land next to the Alabama Welcome Center and Flomaton Railroad Museum.

“I'd like to let him have it,” Mayor Bondurant said of Creamer's plan. “It will eliminate an eyesore.”

Town Attorney Chuck Johns said before the town can donate the land it has to have a plan for economic development.

The council gave Bondurant the authority to proceed with the project.