The Flomaton Town Council voted Monday afternoon to go to its line of credit to borrow $117,680 to repair the pump on the water tank on Highway 113 that failed, which prompted the town to purchase water from the McCall Water System.
During the telephone conference meeting, Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye informed the council that the pump on the Highway 113 tank failed a couple of weeks ago. He was able to rent a pump and tie into the McCall Water System to provide water for the short term.
Moye explained that screens 180-feet deep got clogged up and put strains on the pump, causing the shutdown.
Moye explained that even buying water from McCall to feed residences and businesses it doesn't allow for water to the fire hydrants in the area.
He said a pressure release valve at a cost of $17,450 would be an immediate fix but to totally repair the problem it would be an additional $100,230.
Moye said the Highway 113 tank feeds all of Holt Subdivision and everything on that side of Big Escambia Creek and into downtown.
Councilwoman Lillian Dean asked if there was anyway to prevent the screens from getting clogged and Moye said no.
“Unfortunately no,” Moye said. “To my knowledge it's never been rehabbed.”
Moye explained that there is a lot of iron in the water that contributes to the clogging of the screens.
“What we have to have now is the pressure reducing valve to get water from McCall,” Moye said.
Councilman Jim Johnson asked if it was like a back-pressure valve and wouldn't interfere with anything else.
Moye said the valve would allow the fire hydrants to be functional.
Johnson made the motion to spend the $17,450. Dean issued the second.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant, Jr., then asked the council it if would allow him to go to the line of credit to get the money.
“Anyway to get that money anywhere else?” Dean asked.
Mayor Bondurant said no.
Dean then made the motion to go to the line of credit for the funds and Councilman Charlie Reardon issued the second.
The town has lines of credit at Escambia County Bank ($200,000) and United Bank ($100,00) and Dean recommended using the one with the lowest interest rates.
Bondurant also said both lines of credit were close to a zero balance.
“I'm trying to raise money,” Bondurant said. “I've talked with (State Rep.) Alan Baker and (State Sen.) Greg Albritton to be on the lookout for money. I've called the governor's office and talked to someone who said they would help us get money.”
Councilman Roger Adkinson asked why the council didn't go ahead and do the entire project and look for other money?
“I think that's a good idea,” Bondurant said.
Dean asked Moye if the town could simply spend the $100,230 and not have to spend the $17,450. Moye said no and that both were needed for a complete fix.
Dean then made the motion to go to the line of credit for $117,680 to fix the problem. Reardon issued the second and the motion passed with Councilman Johnson abstaining since his wife works at Escambia County Bank.
Johnson made it clear that he supported the project and said if the town can get some money that the mayor was talking about the town may not need to go to the line of credit.
