Businesses in downtown Flomaton owned by the town of Flomaton will have their rent payments suspended, but not forgiven, during the shutdown ordered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a teleconference council meeting Monday afternoon, Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., said due to the shutdown, those businesses are not able to pay rent because they are closed.
Town Attorney Chuck Johns said an attorney general's opinion said the town could defer the rent payments but could not forgive those payments.
The council then voted unanimously to approve deferring the rent payments until the state's shutdown order was lifted.
Sewage problems
The town is continuing to have problems with its sewer system due to people flushing, wipes, rags and paper towels down the toilet but the council agreed to wait until Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye got prices on how to repair damaged pumps before allocating funds.
Last week, Moye said at least one $7,000 to $8,000 sewer pump burned up because it got clogged with rags, wipes and paper towels. He has pleaded to only to flush toilet paper down the toilet.
Councilman Jim Johnson said he felt the council needed to give the mayor and Moye permission to purchase what they needed to keep the sewage system operating.
Mayor Bondurant said Moye has the system operating currently and as soon as he can get prices on the cost of a permanent fix the council needed to have another meeting to vote on the expense.
“My suggestion if we have to buy two pumps, we need to go ahead,” Johnson said.
Councilwoman Lillian Dean asked whether Moye could locate the people who are causing the problems with the sewer lines and pumps.
Moye said 'No' since sewage comes from multiple houses to a pump.
Paid the bills.
Mayor Bondurant also told the council that the town had enough money to pay the bills and asked for motion to pay the $65,390.87 in monthly bills. The motion carried unanimously.
Bondurant also asked for a motion to transfer funds from other departments to pay the bills. The motion carried 5-1 with Councilman Buster Crapps voting no.
