WEST POINT — The city of West Point is considering a contract with Harris County that would provide inmates to help keep the city clean.

During Thursday night’s work session, the West Point City Council discussed a possible contract with Harris County, which would provide inmate details to keep cemeteries, right-of-ways and other facilities clean and litter-free. Under the proposed contract, Harris County would provide up to eight inmates and one correctional officer that would be assigned to the public works department.  The cost to West Point would be $10 per day per inmate.

No vote was taken on the contract Thursday, but the item is likely to be discussed again during Monday’s council meeting.

Also at the meeting, City Manager Ed Moon said Troup County’s 2018 Hazard Mitigation updated plan was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in January 2019 and was also approved by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in 2018.

Public Works Director Mike Criddle discussed a partnership with Georgia EPD and the City of West Point that will allow citizens to properly dispose of waste and junk tires at no cost. The program will take place May 13 through May 17 at 1506 Highway 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.  West Point citizens are allowed to bring up to eight tires per household. Proof of residency must be provided at the time of drop-off. The city will also have crews going around picking up old tires from the rights-of-way.

Sammy Inman, Utilities Director and Rick Jefferies with Ben Turnipseed Engineers presented a request to amend the city’s sewer ordinance. The proposed amendment would increase the strength of domestic wastewater from 200mg/l BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) to 300mg/l BOD and include a high strength wastewater surcharge policy. This surcharge would allow the city to charge a customer that excessively exceeds the amount of BOD for the exceeded amount.

Mayor Steve Tramell ended the work session by extending the thoughts and prayers of the city to the families affected by the recent tornadoes in Georgia and Alabama.

The council will meet again on at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 11.