City plans ahead to get new vehicles by spring
By Katherine R. Dougan
Early ordering this year because of shipping backlogs for everything also includes placing early orders for City vehicles. At the City’s October 19 Board of Aldermen meeting, the Board unanimously approved spending $172,142 for five police vehicles and one fire department vehicle.
“We need to order by the end of the month [October] for delivery by April or May,” Police Chief Ford Hayman explained to the Board of Aldermen and Mayor Phil Fisher. The purchase of five Dodge Charter police vehicles at the State contract price of $138,790 was included in the 2021-22 City budget. In the past, the City has waited until April to order new vehicles; however, with a delay in vehicle orders, the City followed the recommendation of Hayman and also Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge.
The Clinton Fire Department ordered a Ford F-150 Crew Cab for the State contract price of $33,852. Also a budgeted item for 2021-22, this truck replaces a 21-year-old vehicle that definitely needs replacing, Blackledge said.
Phillip Lilley, director of public works, requested approval to purchase a Vail MX 42-inch brush cutter for the State contract price of $6,900. Lilley explained that this narrower blade attachment allows mowing in tighter spaces. The Board unanimously approved this purchase.
In other business, the Board unanimously approved Lilley’s request for a one-year extension of the City’s contract with Waste Management of Mississippi, Inc. There is no increase in the price to extend this contract, according to Lilley.
The Board also unanimously approved the City’s Video Services Agreement with BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC (AT&T Mississippi). This is a standard contract agreement with the City.
The Board authorized Mayor Fisher to execute a contract between the City and Central Mississippi Planning and Development District related to GIS applications hosting. The cost to maintain GIS hosting is $492 per year, City Clerk Russell Wall explained. The City’s engineering service, SKG, has mapped hydrants and water and sewer lines in Clinton. This GIS service provides quick location of City service lines, etc. The contract was approved, 7-0.
The Board also approved property and liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance for FY 2022. Ben Todd of SouthGroup Insurance provides these policies for the City. There was a slight increase in rates this year; however, the price is within the FY22 budget, as the City allowed extra for an increase.
The Board has a scheduled work session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 1, at Brighton Park, 530 Brighton Park Drive. The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2, at the Municipal Courtroom, 305 Monroe Street.
