By Matthew Breazeale
The Star-Herald
DURANT —
Business was brief for the first Durant Board of Aldermen meeting of 2013 Wednesday, January 2.
The former E-911 building at the north end of West Depot Street was voted to be torn down within a six month period.
The facility was used between 1995 and 2001 as the Holmes County dispatch offices.
W.W. Horn, of Durant, was approved for the job.
"I would pay $1000 for that building, tear it down and move everything down to the slab," Horn said. "I have a performance bond and I'll have everything smooth in six months."
The building was already declared surplus by the city to be tore down.
Horn would be allowed to sell any materials gained from the building.
Ward five Alderman Jim Ferguson voted against the motion.
Resignation
In other business, police officer Patrick James resigned from his position as investigator to stay on as patrolman.
Assistant Police Chief John Smith said James did not want the position any more.
"I have a resignation letter here submitted, effective January first," Smith said.
The board approved the resignation with the understanding the rate of pay would change.
Electric bill
Discussion of the city's electric bill was also brought up.
Of the current balance $110,000 has been paid out of $176,000 for the month of December with $66,000 unpaid.
City Clerk Ursula Holly said January's bill would be in by the 10th.
"We did get quite a few of collections at cut-off time," said Durant Mayor Robert Johnson. "Now it being first of the month we should have no problem with the $66,000."
During executive session the board also listened to a sanitation proposal from Waste Management of Kosciusko.
No action was taken.
