Brundidge City Manger Britt Thomas took a few minutes at the close of the Brundidge City Council meeting Tuesday to express appreciation on behalf of the city for the honorable accomplishments of outgoing Mayor Jimmy Ramage and Council Members Cynthia Pearson, District 4, and Steven Coleman, District 5.

Ramage has served as commissioner and mayor for a total of 40 years. Pearson has served as a council member for 24 years and Coleman for eight.

Thomas, who first came to work with the city in 1977, said he has had the opportunity to work with a great city staff. He praised Ramage for his honorable leadership.

“Mayor Ramage has never asked me to make any decisions that were not in compliance of the law,” Thomas said. “It has been a pleasure to work with him and Council Members Pearson and Coleman.”
Ramage expressed appreciation for all the support over the years and thanked the council members and the city staff.

“I’ve had a good time,” he said. “It’s been a great ride.”

Pearson and Coleman also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

In new business, the council voted to re-structure its loan with First National Bank that has been reduced from $1.2 million to $355,000. The council voted to continue with the remaining nine-year life of the loan and make annual payments of $49,605.

The payments will be made from ad valorem taxes received from the Walmart Distribution Center. Thomas said the taxes should be between $70,000 and $75,000 annually. The remainder of the tax income will be available for city use.

The $1.2 million loan was for the purchase of 222 acres for industrial development on the north side of town.

Thomas said the city has received notice of the acceptance of its plans for the remediation of the park that was taken out of service about 10 years ago. The park remediation will include a walking trail and picnic areas at Ramage Park off South Main Street.

Prior to Tuesday’s meeting the council held a public hearing regarding the assessment of property in violation of the city’s Weed Control Ordinance.

The property owners did not appear at the public hearing.

At its regular meeting, the council passed resolutions to assess the property of Doris Mitchell $275 and Thomas Cook, $225 for the clean up of the properties. The Mitchell property is at 177 S.A. Graham Blvd. The Cook property is on Highway 93. The fees will be added to the owner’s property taxes and the city will be reimbursed when the taxes are paid.

The council voted in favor of a resolution for Telecommunication Facility to modify its tower located south of the city. Three existing antenna will be replaced, adding an increased speed capacity from the tower.

The Brundidge City Council will convene at 6 p.m. Monday at the Pike County High School gymnasium for the swearing in ceremony and oaths of office for Mayor Elect Isabell Boyd and city council members Betty Baxter, Arthur Lee Griffin, Margaret Ross, Byron Gaynor and Christopher Foster The public is invited to attend.