The Brundidge City Council approved its FY2019 $9.8 million budget at its Tuesday meeting.

Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd said the FY2019 budget allows the city to move forward with projects that are underway and also paves the way for several projects that are on the drawing board.

Boyd said the renovation of the former BB&T bank building for use as Brundidge City Hall is actually moving slightly ahead of schedule.

“Marsha Gaylard, Pike County Economic Development Corporation executive director, has proposed the application of a USDA Rural Development grant that, if awarded, will help fund a retail business incubator in the city’s downtown area,” Boyd said.

The council approved the resolution to move forward with the USDA grant application.

Boyd confirmed that Fred’s Pharmacy in the downtown area is closing but said the pharmacy will continue under independent ownership. She also said the Hollis building on South Main Street has a potential occupant that will be a welcomed business addition to the downtown area.

In other city business, the council discussed the renewal of the Haynes Ambulance Contract but took no action due to concerns about the response time of the service.

The council voted to reappoint Waymond Rodgers to the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library board.

Boyd said the recent Peanut Butter Festival and the city’s Halloween events for kids were all very successful. She praised the city workers for their diligence in getting the city grounds prepared for the events and for getting the grounds back in order.

The annual Community Thanksgiving Service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 20 at Brundidge United Methodist Church. The guest speaker for the service will be the Rev. Ulysses Kincey, Jr. Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Brundidge.

“The Christmas season is right around the corner so the Salvation Army’s bell ringing season will begin on November 30,” Boyd said in encouraging community members to be bell ringers.

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.