Brundidge will collect $705,000 in sales and use tax by the end of this fiscal year, which City Manager Britt Thomas is an unusually high number, the highest ever for the city.

“The city has never collected that amount before and it’s not something we might expect to do next year,” Thomas informed council members at their meeting Tuesday at Brundidge City Hall. He said that the record collection was not boosted by retail sales, but from vendors and contractors on the highway.

The council held a public hearing prior to its Tuesday meeting to consider the rezoning of property located at 210 South Main Street from B-2 (Community Commercial) to R-2 (Medium Density Residential). The city’s planning commission’s recommendation to the council was that the property be rezoned.

Property owner Robert Hudson told the council he has owned the property for several years and has rented it for commercial use. However, he said, his return on the property will be more favorable as a residential rental property.

No one attended the public hearing to speak in opposition to the rezoning request.

The council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning.

Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd’s opening comments to the council were those of appreciation for the interest and enthusiasm shown at the September 10 community meeting at Brundidge Station that focused on the revitalization of Brundidge.

“We have reason to be encouraged by the interest shown and by the willingness to get involved,” Boyd said. “Everybody can do something and hopefully everybody will do something.”

In other business, the council considered an appeal hearing determination for a city employee. The council voted unanimously to reverse the former decision and to reinstate the city employee. The reinstatement requires a probationary period that is in line with the requirements of the Brundidge Police Department.

The council approved a resolution that will allow the city to move forward with a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).

The resolution will allow Boyd and City Manager Britt Thomas to execute the agreement with ALDOT and begin the grant process. The grant amount is around $385,000 with the city’s match at $98,000. The funds will be used to construct sidewalks on several streets on the north side of town.

As the council requested at its September 4 meeting, the city has received an estimate to install electronic doors at Brundidge Station, which is the home of the Brundidge Nutrition Center.

The architect’s recommendation was that electronic doors be installed at the center’s front entrance, on both bathroom doors and at the entrance that has a canopy.

The back door of the center is mainly for egress and the other door is used primarily by the staff. Electronic doors are not really needed at those two locations, Thomas said.

The estimated cost of the four electronic doors is $11,690 with an additional cost of $3,800 for each of the additional doors. The estimated cost does not include the necessary electrical wiring.

Thomas’ recommendation to the council was to install the electronic doors. The council voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation.

Boyd announced the hiring of a recreation director for the city’s recreation department that will come under the city’s direction on October 1. The Pike County Board of Education has been operating the city’s recreation department but asked to be released from the contract September 30.

Boyd said Willie Wright, Pike County High School principal, will be the city’s recreation director.

“We are ready to go with football, cheerleading and soccer,” Boyd said.

Council Member Margaret Ross, chair of the Grassroots Efforts’ beautification committee, said all residents will receive handouts encouraging community-wide efforts to make and keep Brundidge attractive for its citizens and visitors.

Council Member Chris Foster introduced Kaylin Jackson, a sixth-grader at Pike County Elementary School, as the Brundidge Junior Ambassador for September.

The Brundidge City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Brundidge City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.