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During the June 9 meeting, Lafayette Mayor Kenneth Vines, along with the city council, discussed resolutions to pressing matters within the LaFayette area.

First on the agenda was a claim regarding the damaged Chambers County Board of Education sign, in which the mayor suggested that insurance claims be bypassed due to it being less troublesome than going through the insurance over a $500 difference. The cost to repair the sign outright would be $1,500, while the insurance deductible is $1,000. The sign was damaged after a fire truck slid on ice and lost control.

The council also discussed areas around LaFayette that are being described as nuisances, due to a lack of upkeep. Councilman Mangum, of the LaFayette City Council, showed frustration with the lack of effort to address these properties. He described years passed where the city council would discuss but take no action to correct the issues.

“We shouldn’t have to sit here at council meetings and keep going over and over and over. It should just be an ongoing process. You know, and I say that, I mean, we’ve got to do something as a group. We’ve got to make a decision together.” Mangum professed to the council, exhibiting frustration with the ongoing issue.

Following the discussion, the mayor and the city council resolved to make significant efforts to improve the properties and take steps to ensure they are adequately maintained. This includes properties with inoperable vehicles in their yards. Mayor Vines added that working with the police to ensure the cars are in running order, and if they are inoperable, that they have been appropriately tagged.

Vehicles that are considered a nuisance in the state of Alabama can be towed at the owner’s expense.

Announcements were made for the election of municipal officers for the city of Lafayette and its districts during the council meeting. Clerk Louis Davidson declared that on Tuesday, August 26, an election will be held for mayor and each of the five city council positions. Elections will be held at LaFayette High School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the case of a runoff, another election will be held on September 23.

The qualification period for the elections begins June 10 and will run until June 24.

The LaFayette annual city budget was discussed, including updates on expenditures since the last budget was passed. It was determined that the revised budget shows a surplus of $13,089.29, and the council should review and approve the amended budget due to purchases being made requiring a budget amendment.

The updated budget was presented for review and is awaiting formal approval by the council.