Staff Writer

In response to action by the Pike County Commission, the Troy City Council voted, Tuesday night, to give financial support to the Troy City Schools.

The county commission levied a 1-cent sales tax for education, which is expected to bring in $2.36 million for education ­ based on last year’s receipts.

Realizing the need for the city schools, Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford asked the council to pass a resolution that will insure the city schools get at least $1 million.

Lunsford said he wanted to go on record the city would make up any difference if the sales tax does not generate at least $1 million.

"I think we ought to be proactive," Lunsford said.

He said making sure the city schools get at least $1 million will help officials with their plans.

In other business, the council:

· Awarded the airport fencing project to Consolidates Fence of Daphne, which bid $369,275 for the project. Other bidders were: American Imperial Fence, $440,065; Capital Fence Co. Inc., $398,959; McDonald’s Construction Co. Inc., $409,935; Sullivan Enterprises, $497,540 and Leverette Construction Co. Inc., $447,013.

· Authorized AlaTax to begin collecting sales and use tax for the city.

Currently, the Alabama Department of Revenue has been collecting the taxes, but will be going up on costs. The state will go from $2.56 per transaction to $8.96. AlaTax charges $2.50 per account.

The city of Brundidge recently made the change to AlaTax.

Stephen Morris of AlaTax said it will take four to six weeks to convert records and may be able to collect in November.

· Held a public hearing on and approved an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Development Grant application for a railroad spur at National Freezer, which is making a $1.5 million expansion to the facility. The $287,500 grant will require a 10 percent match by the city of Troy.

· Expressed appreciation to Charlie’s Angels, a group of retired military personnel, for donating a total of $4,000 to area schools.

· Reappointed Jim Roling to the Planning Commission. He will serve another six-year term.

· Acknowledged the absence of Councilwoman Wanda Moultry, who was sick.