The Brundidge City Council appointed themselves and City Manager Britt Thomas as directors of the newly formed City of Brundidge Solid Waste Authority at the council's regular meeting Tuesday.

Thomas said council was authorized to appoint the directors of the authority and was prudent in making the appointments.

"The council knows the purpose of the Solid Waste Authority and they know the expectations," he said. "From day one, the goal of the council has been to improve the financial condition of the city through its association with BFI and the Brundidge Landfill."

The seven directors will serve staggered terms.

Thomas said a solid waste authority has greater operating latitude than a municipality.

"It's an entity to collect profits and can also enter into long-term contracts which can be very beneficial to the city," he said.

The council also discussed the benefits of converting its electrical system from 46KB to 25KB, which is, in layman's terms, the way the city delivers electricity to its customers.

Thomas said the conversation would upgrade the city's electrical system to the benefit of the city and its customers.

"The electrical system is the city's most important asset other than its people," Thomas said. "The upgrade would be a big expenditure but it would put the city's utility structure on the top shelf."

The upgrade could cost the city in the range of $1.7 million if that's the route the council decides to take.

In an effort to know if the electric system conversion is the way to go, the council voted to contract with St. John Engineering for a value proposal for the conversion. The contract with the engineering firm is $45,000.

The council authorized a resolution necessary to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $400,000 for sewer improvements on the north side of town. The city's match for the grant will be $40,000.

In other business, the council approved a zoning request by Douglas Ingram to rezone a 300×300-foot strip on East Troy Street from R2 (residential) to B3(business) in order to accommodate a 54×60-foot metal building in which to house his small motor repair business. The council acted on the recommendation of the planning commission.