By By BILL CRIST – Publisher
Rhodes was speaking to the council on behalf of the SARPC and explained a pair of programs that can help drive economic growth in the area, which are offered by SARPC.
One of the services Rhodes outlined is a revolving loan program for new and expanding businesses.
He pointed out that Brewton had been aggressively recruiting new industry and retail businesses, and that the loans could be helpful in attracting one to the area.
He also talked about the Commission's mature staffing service.
Rhodes left the council with a copy of a handout that said the "mature staffing service is designed to assist employers in finding the best candidates, in the least amount of time, for the lowest possible cost."
The SARPC covers a three county area. Those counties are Escambia, Baldwin and Mobile.
Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings read a proclamation that will be presented to Catherine Crosby, recognizing her winning the Miss Alabama title.
The proclamation will be presented to Crosby at a homecoming event to be held in August.
The council voted to ask city attorney Joe. B. Thompson to write a letter to the Alabama Attorney General seeking an opinion on the city's new commercial natural gas rate. The council approved a new rate structure and wording for it's ordinance at a meeting earlier this year.
Jack Fitts, Pastor at First Baptist Church in Brewton, led the council in its quarterly invocation.
He thanked the council for assuming the responsibility of leadership, and working for the betterment of the community.
The city will put 81 acres of property up for bid. The property, which is part of the "Lovelace" property the city bought, with plans to build recreational fields, is located just outside the city limits.
Jennings said that the action came about after the council agreed to seek bids for the timber located on the property.
Several committee appointments were made by Jennings at the meeting.
Beth Bain was appointed to the Tree and Beautificaiton Board and Councilman Cary Barton was re-appointed to the school's anti-litter program on behalf of the city.
The council voted to have Hartman, Blackmon and Kilgore conduct its annual audit on Jennings' recommendation.
The city's appointment to the board of equalization was carried over and councilmen Frank Cotten and Barton were appointed to a committee to nominate someone to replace Jim Peach on the Escambia County Industrial Development Authority.
Jennings gave his Mayor's report, which included updates on a $150,000 grant to the airport, a $3,761 grant to the Brewton Public Library, commending city workers for repairing the broken sewer line over the July Fourth holiday weekend and updates on two meetings he attended.
The council also voted unanimously to approve the July 2003 accounts payable.