Features Editor

After holding a public hearing Tuesday afternoon for the purpose of answering questions and addressing concerns about the proposed redistricting plans that will set the council districts for the city over the next 10 years, the Brundidge City Council unanimously adopted the plans as drawn by South Central Alabama Development Commission.

The plans must be approved by the Judicial Department before they can be implemented.

The district lines were drawn by the state development commission in accordance with numbers derived from Census 2000 and with the goal of 468 residents in each district, with a total deviation of only 10 percent, said Britt Thomas, city manager.

The plan that was approved by

the city council

mapped the districts at 465 residents in District 1; 449 in District 2; 478 in District 3; 471 in District 4 and 478 in District 5.

The total deviation from the goal was 6.2 percent, Thomas said.

The racial makeup of the districts was not disturbed. The racial makeup of the districts is: District 1 – 233 whites and 232 minorities; District 2 – 123 whites and 326 minorities; District 3 – 335 whites and 143 minorities; District 4 – 85 whites and 385 minorities; and District 5 – 5 whites and 473 minorities.

Thomas said the racial makeup of the districts mirrors the racial makeup of the town which is 65 percent minority.

There was a considerable change in only one district, District 5, which lost 143 people from the previous district map.

Mayor Jimmy Ramage said the "beauty" of the redistricting plan is that Brundidge has a central voting location for city elections.

"When our voters get to the polls, if their voting district has changed, we’ll get them to the right place to vote," he said.

In other business the council:

· Discussed the list of projects in which the city is involved, totaling $5 million. Thomas suggested the council add funding for several projects that are not currently necessary, but would be wise to include, such as replacing 4-inch water lines in the city which are deficit as far as fire protection.

· Discussed running water lines for the Wal-Mart distribution center parallel to Highway 6 and then across the west side of Highway 231 to the pump station rather than running the lines straight from Highway 6 to the pump station. This would accommodate future business ventures on the west side of the highway.

· Discussed the feasibility of a 5-year $150,000 loan to purchase new city vehicles to replace ones that have cost the city $25,000 in repairs over the past 24 months.

·Passed a resolution commending the Pike County High School football players for the honor and recognition they brought to the school and the City of Brundidge with their performance during the season and in the state playoffs, advancing to the semi-final round. The resolution also praised the student body, teachers and administration for the roles they played in the team’s success.

· Approved holiday bonuses for the city’s 36 full time employees at an estimated cost of between $6,000 and $7,000. The bonuses will be based on the length of employment with a minimum bonus of $50 and a maximum of $200.

· Approved additional Christmas holidays for city employees to include, Dec. 24, 25 and 26. Employees will also have a holiday on New Year’s Day.