The Brundidge City Council opened its pocketbook Tuesday and provided funds for several projects that Mayor Jimmy Ramage said will be extremely beneficial to the city.

The council awarded the bid for wastewater system improvements to low bidder Blankenship of Dothan in the amount of $436,699.

The bid included $49,686 to asphalt the area around the facility and $63,000 for two aerators and 30 hp mixer motors.

City Manager Britt Thomas told the council including the aerators and mixer motors would make the mechanized system completely refurbished.

&uot;The bid, including the asphalt and added items, is $91,000 more than the estimate, but it will make our mechanized system like brand new,&uot; Thomas said. &uot;If I were going to take anything out of the bid, it would be the asphalt, although I think it's an important item. Taking the asphalt out will not affect the wastewater system in any way, but the asphalt is crumbling and needs to be replaced.&uot;

Thomas said the access road project on North Railroad Avenue came in under bid, so the city has money available for the added items and the paving.

&uot;We have the money to do both from money we have borrowed,&uot; he said. &uot;If there is money left over when we complete the projects under way, we would pay it to the bank to reduce the debt. We are making new debt payments now, so my recommendation to the council is that we accept the low bid. It is prudent and right and we will be on the top shelf as far as wastewater treatment facilities.&uot;

The council considered Thomas' request and also the fact that no work has been done at the facility since 1978.

Also, the council was reminded that the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and Southern Classic Food Group will soon be discharging wastewater into the facility.

The council took little time accepting the bid as amended.

The council also declared an emergency situation related to the city's bucket truck.

Thomas said the boom on the truck was no longer meeting certification requirements and was unsafe for use.

Thomas said the truck has been taken out of service and a bucket truck is being rented.

Funds for a new bucket truck are included in the city's 2003 budget. Therefore, Thomas suggested the council declare an emergency situation and purchase a bucket truck and make arrangements to repair the truck in question.

The council voted to purchase a bucket truck at a cost not to exceed $25,000.

Funds for a new fire truck were also included in the 2003 budget and requests for proposals had been sent out. The city received two bids for the fire truck and Luverne Fire Apparatus was the low bidder at $167,000.

The council accepted the bid and Thomas said delivery can be expected within 150 days after the order is placed.

The council will hold a work session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 to discuss the city's electric rate study.