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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

During a meeting of the Loyall City Council on Monday, a solid waste collection and disposal contract was approved for the next two years with V&A Garbage, of Harlan.

Even though V&A was not the lowest bid submitted, council unanimously agreed they were satisfied with the service V&A has provided for the past four years.

V&A Garbage was approved with a bid of $18.25 per month for residential and $23.50 per month for businesses and churches.

Waste Connections submitted a bid of residential and commercial hand pickup at $17 per month for the first year and $17.50 for the second year. Michael R. Saylor, of Harlan, submitted a bid of $18.49 per month for residential, $19.99 per month for businesses and churches and $99.99 for dumpsters.

Mayor Clarence Longworth updated council members on what had been accomplished in the past seven years he has been head of the city. Each department listed numerous items purchased and updated throughout the years.

Longworth said when he took office the bookkeeping system was in disarray, office space was like “a dungeon” and there was a consent judgment against the city’s sewer plant.

“We’ve put new glass doors at city hall to open the office space up,” said Longworth. “We now have new office furniture, carpet and computers at city hall. Our sewer plant and stations have been updated and rehabilitated. We’ve blacktopped streets in old Loyall. New equipment has been purchased in several departments, which has improved the city tremendously.”

Police Chief Mike Lunsford told council members arrests, complaints, warrants served and cases investigated have almost doubled since 2011. He submitted photos of garbage being thrown in the “lagoon” behind four homes in Loyall. He said his department will be contacting homeowners on Chad, Wilkerson and Cedar streets and following up with letters asking them to clean up the dumps.

After hearing questions about an insurance premium check in the amount of $50,000 received by the city, Treasurer Mandy Longworth told council the funds are being held until it can be determined whether the city can spend the money. She said the check was deposited in the city’s checking account, but was not budgeted upon advice from the city’s certified public accountant.

In other action the council:

*Approved repair work on the city hall building at a cost of approximately $4,360;

*Approved the kitchen and dining area at city hall being made available for rent to Lou’s Kountry Kitchen to prepare weekend meals available to the public.

*Entered executive session and returned with no action taken.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com