The Sumiton City Council on Tuesday discussed upcoming expenses facing the city and residents, including replacing the city’s old gas pump system for city vehicles, heating repairs at the civic center and a potential gas rate increase.
Mayor Petey Ellis said estimates to replace the old heating system at the civic center came in at about $458,000, making replacing the system cost prohibitive. Ellis said there is a company out of Jasper that has maintained the system for the city and they believe they can restore it to working order, although an estimate has not been delivered yet. Ellis said the boiler-style system is more complicated and that limited the number of people who could perform work and maintenance on it.
The council also heard from Assistant Police Chief Daryl Nibblett, who said he was getting an estimate to replace the aging gas pumps behind city hall that are used to fuel city vehicles. Reladyne will be providing the city with an estimate for an above-ground, self-contained system. Ellis asked that they also give an estimate on removing the old underground tank or sealing it off.
Ellis also said the council needed to have a work session related to a gas rate increase. He said the city had not raised gas rates in a number of years and needs to look at rate structure options.
“This is something nobody wants to hear,” Ellis said. “…the times we’re in now demand that we have an increase.”
In other business, the council also:
*heard from City Clerk Nina Absher that the annual Frog Festival currently has 76 vendors signed up. There is still more than a month to register for a booth, so she expects more booths to be filled.
*heard from Nibblett that Police Chief T. J. Burnette has been admitted to the hospital for heart issues. Ellis asked for prayers for him.
*heard that the city’s garbage truck is still in the shop, but should be repaired soon. Routes are still being run with a different truck.
