By Christine Miyawa
Delta Digital News Service

POCAHONTAS – Mayor Keith Sutton said February 11, residents will have to haul items during the spring clean-up to the Randolph County Transfer Station. A move to cut the cost of operations at the street department.

“There would be no charges at the transfer station between March 23 to March 27. However, the transfer stations will require payment to dispose of oil, tires, paint, or shingles. During the week, the city council will require residence to have a water bill and a driver’s license to dispose of items.”

Members voted and passed the resolution.

Sutton said the city plans to award Glosson Waste Management Company in Pocahontas the tender to carry out the spring clean-up and pick-up. He said the move to outsource would save the city a considerable amount of money. Previously the city’s street department picked up items from the curbside during spring cleaning.

On the matter of waste management, owners of non-running vehicles sitting on the yard may face charges failure to remove the vehicles from their yard Councilman Keith Futrell said during the meeting.

The council also agreed to lease the 3238 square feet office space and 6650 square feet of hangar space at Black River Technical College Aviation Building to station its fire department temporarily. The building located at 2022 Highway 67 south will cost the city council $1250 per month.

The council also passed an ordinance to charge any damages to the city water meter component to the premise owner or occupant. The move came as a result of the high cost of repairs on the water meter the city is facing. The mayor said the city would repair the damages and charge to the account the water meter serves.

Employees of the city council will now see an increase in their paycheck as the city council vote to approve the 2019 employee wage increase. The increase came as a result of the growth in revenue by 11%.

On another matter, City Attorney Alex Bigger said the court granted summary judgment in favor of the city in the case of Smith v. The City of Pocahontas.

Allen Smith, a former police officer for the city, sued the city for disability discrimination and breach of implied contract.

Bigger said Allen Smith failed to establish any evidence of disability discrimination by the city.

“He failed to show that the city’s stated motive to terminate his services was discriminatory,” Bigger said.

The presiding judge also granted summary judgment in favor of the council because Smith was an at-will employee and the city did not create a contractual agreement for his employment.

“The case was dismissed with prejudice,” Bigger said.