With money tight, Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., recommended that the town of Flomaton quit sending representatives to conferences sponsored by the Alabama League of Municipalities. However, at least two council members said they thought it was important for Flomaton to have representation at the conferences.
Councilwoman Lillian Dean said this year's conference has already been paid for.
Mayor Bondurant asked Town Clerk Shila Carter to see if the town could get its money back.
“I feel like somebody from the town of Flomaton needs to go to these meetings,” Dean said. “You pick up information at these meetings. If you don't go and get renewed, you get stagnant.”
Mayor Bondurant said all the information discussed at the conferences is available through magazines and on the internet.
“If it's for cutting costs, I'm for it,” said Councilman Buster Crapps. “I thought we had a spending freeze.”
Councilman Charlie Reardon said he agreed with Dean that the town needed to be represented at the conferences.
“You do gain knowledge,” Reardon said. “You may not go there with a question, but then get there and have one. You don't know you're getting information until you go.”
The council agreed to allow members to attend this year's conference since it was already paid for and said they would address the issue again in January.
In other business Monday, the council:
- Heard from Mayor Bondurant that John Robert Smith would be in Flomaton on June 6 beginning at 9 a.m. to discuss the Smart Growth America's program for economic development.
Mayor Bondurant said the event will begin with a tour of the town and after lunch Smith would make a presentation at town hall.
Mayor Bondurant said it's important that all council members and residents of Flomaton attend the meetings.
- Heard from Councilwoman Dean who said the town needed to put cameras up at Oaks Common Park on Martin Luther King Drive.
“I will harp on cameras until we get them,” Dean said. “We need them in high activity areas and as long as I'm sitting here I'll ask for cameras.”
The council took no action.
- Approved a resolution setting July 19 through July 21 as a sales tax holiday for back to school purchase items. During that time, items for school supplies will be excluded when paying sales tax.
- Approved a resolution in favor of the recent gasoline tax that passed the Alabama Legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.
- Approved a resolution banning the discrimination of individuals under the Fair Housing Act and declared April as Fair Housing Month.
