Hearing set for land sale

Flomaton looking to sell the old theater

The Flomaton Town Council will hold a public hearing at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, to allow input on whether or not the town should sell the old Jackson Theater and parking lot for a price below appraised value to a private company.

The property is located at 320 Palafox St. and has an appraised value of $39,000 to $49,000. The town has an offer from Linco, LLC., to purchase the building and parking lot for $6,000.

The public hearing, which will be held at town hall, is to determine whether or not it's in the best interest of the town to sell the property.

The old theater property was given to the town by Escambia County Bank several years ago and has sat vacant for many years

The town council voted Monday afternoon to approve a resolution authorizing the public hearing.

No holiday change

In other business Monday, the council rejected a request by Town Clerk Carrie Moore to add Good Friday (April 15) as a holiday for town employees.

Moore noted that the county school system, which includes Flomaton schools, will be closed on Good Friday. She said the move would add one more holiday for employees from 11 holidays days to 12.

Schools will be closed on April 15 and then closed March 21-25 for spring break.

Councilwoman Lillian Dean said she felt the town needed to stick with federal holidays of which Good Friday is not included.

Councilman Jim Johnson said Good Friday is right before Easter and it gives people another day to travel.

Dean said there was a lot to consider when letting town employees take off.

The council voted not to include Good Friday as a holiday with Councilman Johnson voting no saying the employees deserved the day off.

COVID days

The town council also voted to allow town employees to take off up to five days in a calendar year with pay for COVID-related illness provided they have proof they either have COVID or have been exposed.

Town Attorney Chuck Johns said if the town sends somebody home, the town should cover that cost. He said otherwise, it may invite employees to come to work sick. He also said there would be a possibility that some would abuse the system and agreed to the five days per calendar year.