May 29, 2024QuintonNews
By RUBY KEARCE
The Paxton City Council met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21. Paxton City Clerk Judy Williams began by stating that there is a surplus of flooring,glue, and leveling compoundfrom the recent city hall renovation that will not be used. The full retail value of the items is $3,547, so direction is needed on how to proceed. Williams further explained that the flooring company from the project would be interested in the purchasing of the materials. Council member Donna Smith made a motion to accept bids on the materials and accept the highest offer. The motion passed unanimously.
Utilities Supervisor Adam Bryan then came before the council to update them on the results from the full oil analysis that the town’s John Deere backhoe underwent in Pensacola to diagnose a performance issue. This could save the town from having to buy a pricey new piece of equipment, and this check found that there was nothing wrong with the pumps, rear end or back end; however, the transmission was accessed and was updated with a sensor and another electronic part. All of the hydraulic leaks were fixed, the grader blade was replaced, and the backhoe was returned to the city with a bill of approximately $5,200. Bryan was also informed by the company that the tractor had a long life left in it, and that the town had made the right move having it fully checked.
Williams went on to discuss using the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward fixing some of the needs at the wastewater treatment plant. Williams explained to the council that using these funds will not stop the staff from seeing other grants to fund the process of getting the system to where it needs to be. Williams then requested the council approve of the usage of remaining funds to go toward the wastewater treatment plant. A motion was then passed in that regard.
Mayor Ann Sexton then came before the council to present both Judy Williams and Adam Bryan with Employee Service Awards for their 15 years of service to the city. Bryan then moved on to inform the council of an issue with the east entrance of the cemetery in town. Bryan urged the council to go look at that location prior to making a decision on placing a road there due to the fact that the land slopes into the concrete ditch, meaning there would have to be a chainlink fence placed on either side of the road. He also pointed out the need for some form of road base, because the area has never seen traffic before. Bryan expressed fears of the road washing out into the ditch and turning into a large problem for the city. This will be further discussed at a later date.
Mayor Sexton then informed the council that the ice machine at the city hall has stopped working. It has been worked on several times, and it is still out of use. Sexton presented the council with two quotes, one for a Vevor Commercial Ice Maker coming in at $1,349.99, and another for a Maxx Ice Ice Maker coming in at $3,063.00. A motion was then passed to approve a purchase of an ice maker in an amount not to exceed $1,341.99 plus tax, delivery, and installation fees for the mayor to sign if Williams confirms that it is in the budget.
The council then moved on to the Mayor’s Report, and Sexton informed them that thanks were due to Walton County Economic Development Alliance’s Executive Director Uriah Matthews. At a meeting in Mossy Head, one of the county commissioners present at the meeting asked representatives from Tallahassee if there was any way to aid Paxton with its sewer problems. Sexton was informed to get with Matthews the following day who aided in getting the paperwork completed, and now it is time to wait for a response.
Sexton also said that both the Senior Citizens Center and the Health Clinic are being advertised for bids and should be included on the agenda in June. Sexton also informed the council that she purchased a new refrigerator for the city hall because the last one broke down, with this purchase being a little over $500, and the total being $664.05. A motion was passed to ratify the purchase.
Council member Smith then informed the council that the Bobby Kemp Heritage Festival will be held on Sept. 14 this year. Shane Owens has already committed to being the entertainment that day, as well as some local entertainment opening for him. Smith has also received requests for the event to start at 9 a. m. and end at 3 p.m. rather than starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.. The Auction will be brought outside leaving room for some vendors to be located on the inside of the agriculture building.
