While the city of Brundidge normally has a level playing field when it comes to its economy, it has seen small decreases in recent months.

Sales tax revenues are down 6 percent in Brundidge as of March 2009, compared to the same time last year.

The city took in $33,385 for March 2009, compared to the $37,384 brought in during March 2008.

Overall, the city is down 2 percent only taking in $210,845 compared to the same time period last year.

Also, Bill’s Dollar Store will close its doors sometime in June or July, City Manager Brit Thomas said.

Even in harder economic times, the city may welcome some looking for summer employment thanks to a state-funded workforce program.

Those looking for summer employment between ages 16 and 24 could be eligible for the program that will allow 11 to work 35 hours a week for two months at the rate of $7.25 per hour.

Potential candidates must contact the Troy Career Center to see if they are eligible.

Veteran’s Boulevard will likely get a face-lift, if the city receives a CDBG grant to resurface the road.

According to Thomas, the cost to resurface the road would be an estimated $278,000 not including the milling.

Thomas said there are alligator cracks in the road, and there will need to be milling done, but it should not make project exceed $500,000.

“Alligator cracks will make it fail because water gets in,” Thomas said. “If we don’t take care of that then I’ll give it six months.”

The council voted to hire an engineer to help them get the project bid ready because the state will give highest priority to projects already to go.

While the council will have to pay for the engineer, Thomas said the city is more likely to receive the grant.

“In my opinion you’re going to have to be shovel ready if you want to compete,” Thomas said.

According to Thomas, if they city doesn’t receive the grant it will be responsible for paving the road anyway.

“We are going to be responsible for paving it with local tax dollars if we don’t get this grant,” Thomas said.

Thomas said this is a project that will need to be high priority in the next five years.

Thomas said the downfall to Brundidge receiving the grant is Pike County’s unemployment rate is lower than some of the western counties, making it less competitive.

“They will get higher scores,” Thomas said.

But he remained optimistic.

“It just throwing it out and giving it a try,” Thomas said.

In other business, Probate Judge Wes Allen spoke briefly to the council, and the council voted to allow the library board to place two card catalogs as surplus property.