housing improvements cited

By MICHELLE J. WILSON

Staff Writer

Jan. 5, 2000 10 PM

BRUNDIDGE – Brundidge City Council authorized City Manager Britt Thomas to proceed with a project to keep computerized records of the body’s minutes and ordinances at its meeting here Tuesday.

"We would be keeping our records for future generations," said Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage. "This is a move in the right direction."

The idea was first discussed at the council’s last meeting Dec. 21. the body also approved its minutes from that meeting. Councilwoman Isabell Boyd was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

In the city manager’s report, Thomas gave council members an update on the Housing Rehabilitation Program. This project, which is sponsored by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, helps low income citizens improve their houses.

It uses a combination of state funds through a community development block grant (CDBG) and matching money from homeowners to pay for improvements.

He said 21 homes have been completed, and two are under construction..

The program began in Brundidge in November of 1998 with a goal of improving 44 homes , Thomas said.

The city has received applications from 10 homeowners who need to provide matching funds.

A total of $229,020 worth of improvements has been funded through the Housing Rehabilitation Program, with $68,705 coming from homeowners and $160,315 from the grant, Thomas said.

"Besides assisting the people receiving this money, it means a lot of money flowing through our community," Ramage said.

Thomas also discussed the public improvements part of the CDBG.

"We have made tremendous improvements at Leona, Ramage, Gallaway and Maguire streets," he said. "We had a preliminary final inspection Monday to develop a list of what needs to be done to complete the project."