The Winston County Journal

The Louisville Board Aldermen raised garbage pickup prices and purchased new cars for the police department as part of its September 18 meeting.

After a lengthy discussion, the Board of Aldermen approved the new rates for the garbage pickup based upon City Engineer Kenny Morris' recommendation.

Morris recommended the increase to keep the solid waste funds from going into a deficit.

"Solid waste must pay for itself," said Morris. "We can not add millage to cover a deficit in solid waste."

"I realize we need to go up but we need to be thinking about the elderly on fixed income," said alderwoman Francis Ball.

Alderwoman Judy McLeod agreed with the sentiment but added, "Not something we like to do but the numbers don't lie."

Mayor Daniel "Moe" Yarbrough explained that the new contract with Southern Waste was an increase over the previous contract but was still the lowest bid by over a hundred thousand dollars. He added that the cost of solid waste also includes the leaf truck and debris pickup cost.

After further discussion, the board approved the increases across the board for the cart pickup ranges (See related graphic).

With an eye to improve the police department, the board committed almost $175,000 for the purchase of 7 new cars and also raised the pay for auxiliary police from $6 an hour to $9 an hour.

"I'm so proud to get this done," said McLeod. "This is a banner day for our police force to be able to put every officer on shift in a good vehicle."

The city planned to borrow the funds to purchase the vehicles at a rate of 4.47 percent.

As the police add new cars to their fleet, the board of aldermen also approved increasing the all fines the city issues. The board approved a $10.50 increase in all fines effective Oct. 1.

In other matters:

€ Rejected a petition from Prisock Pro Wash to replace a sign in front of the sidewalk area near his business. The old sign placement exists on city property. Although the aldermen noted other businesses were in violation of having signs on city property, they could not approve such action. "It seems the one that tries to do right by asking permission are the ones that get punished," noted Taylor Tucker explaining that the board would set a bad precedent by approving such a request.

Richard Caperton recused himself from the discussion and vote by exiting the meeting during the discussion and vote. Alderwoman Ball abstained from voting after the discussion.

€ Approved Terry Reynolds to serve another five year term on the Winston County Economic Board.

€ Approved Wally Bennet to the Zoning and Planning Board. New Board member Gwenita Mays had nominated Willie Dean Miller but Bennet's nomination occurred first and received a majority of board approval.

€ Approved a ten-year tax exemption for Roseburg Forest Products South in the amount of $29,109,248 true value, which would be about a $70,000 loss in tax revenue to the city.

€ Approved The Taylor Group tax exemption in the amount of $6,180,264 true value. Eugene Crosby recused himself from the discussion and vote.

€ Approved an free internship at the LPD.

€ Approved changes to the Fire Department Operating Guide. Fire Chief Mike Stevenson recommended changing the monthly meeting date of the volunteers to the second Tuesday and to remove the residence requirement for city employees who wish to volunteer.

€Approve funds for several conferences.

The board meets the first Tuesday of each month.