Brundidge seeks improvements
Published 12:00 am Monday, June 16, 2003
The city of Brundidge is continually looking for ways to improve services to its citizens. So, city officials take advantage of every possible opportunity that come their way.
When the Will Lee building was up for sale, it was an opportunity that the city didn't want to miss, said Mayor Jimmy Ramage.
"We have a beautiful city hall and we are extremely proud of it," he said. "However, space in the Bass House is limited and we had been looking for another building that could provide office space for government agencies and other organizations that serve our community. The Will Lee building is ideal for what we need."
Ramage said the building on Business 231 North is also an ideal location.
"The building is easily accessible and there is plenty of parking space to accommodate several the agencies that serve our community," he said. "It could be a one-stop facility for our citizens who need to visit several offices.
"The tax assessor's office already comes to Brundidge on a regular basis and that provides a great service for our citizens. However, because we didn't have space elsewhere, we provided space for them at Brundidge Station, but that takes space that could be used by our nutrition program. So, having an annex for the tax assessor's office and other agencies, would free up that space and provide additional space for other agencies."
Ramage said the need for a municipal annex is magnified by the number of residents who don't have personal transportation.
"We have large number of residents who don't have transportation to Troy and have to either catch a ride or pay someone to take them," he said. "Being able to pay their taxes here is a real benefit to them. Also, some of our senior citizens aren't comfortable driving to Troy. That's why we want to bring other services to Brundidge."
Ramage said the annex could house the probate, social security, Red Cross and Emergency Management Agency offices and any federal, state or county agencies that could provide local services.
"OCAP could have a permanent office there as could other agencies," Ramage said. "This annex will be very beneficial to our town and its citizens."
And, at $26,000, the annex came at a good price, the mayor said. "For the services it will provide and the convenience to our citizens, it was money well spent."