By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
tyler@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala.— In Monday’s regularly scheduled council meeting, the Rainsville City Council and Mayor Nick Jones agreed on measures to both cut operating costs and generate additional revenue for the city.
Jones and members of the city council agreed in a previous meeting that it made good budgetary sense to downsize the street department by finding a private company to cut the grass on city property. Previously, this responsibility fell under Rainsville’s street department. Due to resignations and retirement within the department, city government was able to take this action without layoffs.
The council had began taking bids and accepted the low bid from Wade Bobo Lawn Service. Upon accepting the bid, the city will now be charged $1280.00 per clipping to mow all city property.
“This action will save a ton of money as opposed to maintaining permanent employees to cut the grass,” Mayor Jones said.
The council also caught the public up on its ongoing Wastewater Treatment Program (WWTP). As the city nears the completion of Phase I, it became necessary to begin the bidding for the second phase. The city will be accepting bids for new generators and leachate tanks. “Leachate” is the wastewater drainage from landfills that requires processing for environmental reasons. By processing this drainage, the city of Rainsville can generate additional revenue for the sewer budget. The bidding process will be handled for the city by Ladd Environmental through an engineering contract.
In other business, the council approved an amendment to change the regular meeting locations from the Ag Center to the newly renovated annex building, formerly known as the “Weekly Post Building.” They also approved the purchase of new signage for the annex, as well as a new roof. The roofing project will cost the city approximately $10,000.
The council also accepted the resignation of former city attorney Dara Patterson, who resigned to accept a position with Northeast Alabama Community College. The City of Rainsville also announced they would be accepting applications for two attorney positions with the city. Positions open are city prosecutor and city attorney.
