By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Four Atmore City Council members gave unanimous approval during their Monday, February 10, meeting to a resolution that will double the monthly pay for the next mayoral administration.
The city’s next mayor will be paid $6,000 per month ($72,000 per year), compared to the $35,000 salary Mayor Jim Staff currently receives. Council members, who are paid $400 per month, will be paid twice that when the new city ordinance is implemented.
The new salary schedule will go into effect on the first Monday in November. The current mayor and council members will continue to receive $400 per month until this year’s municipal election is held, and a new mayor and council are elected (or re-elected).
City Clerk Becca Smith said the new ordinance would bring the city into line with what mayors and council members of other cities are paid and could entice more candidates to seek city offices.
The four council members (District 2’s Jerome Webster, who coaches Escambia Academy girls and boys basketball teams, was unable to attend.) also approved the purchase of two fuel storage tanks to replace the outdated and outworn ones in which the city’s bulk fuel is stored.
Alabama Tank Inc. will supply a 4,000-gallon fuel receptacle at a cost of $17,550, while a 2,000-gallon tank will cost $11,900. The new fuel tanks will replace ones owned by McMurphy Oil Company, which currently supplies gas and diesel fuel to the city.
During their January 19 meeting, the council decided to hold off on buying the tanks until City Attorney Larry Wettermark could ascertain whether the current card-reader system is compatible with the new tanks.
Apparently, it isn’t, as the council also approved on Monday a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Petro Vend fuel dispensing, recording and monitoring system for $15,221.78.
Smith said the city plans to initiate a Request For Proposal (RFP) from local and area fuel providers once the new tanks are installed and the current contract is up. The RFP will require bidders to have a local business license and not have any past due obligations to the city.
In other business, council members:
*Approved a request from River of Life Church to use Boxcar Willie Park on Friday, February 28, at 6 p.m., and on Saturday, March 1, at 5 p.m., to host a Christian speaker and Christian music. Saturday will feature a special youth service, with a special youth speaker, free hot dogs and Pepsi, and fun activities.
*Approved a request from Tony Glover, Body of Christ Ministry, to use Boxcar Willie Park on Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m., for a church ministry service that includes music and speaking.