Come October, Florala will have a different provider for garbage services for the first time since 1993.

The council on Monday unanimou-sly agreed to award its garb-age contract to Waste Pro of Flo-rida. The service will cost the city 27 percent more than its current contract, but the council has not yet discussed whether it will pass along the additional costs to residents. That discussion likely will come during the budgeting process, Mayor Robert Williamson said.

The new contract also means residents will have garbage service on Saturdays, rather than on Fridays.

Earlier this summer, the council sought bids for service, as its current provider, BFI, would not extend its contract past Sept. 30. It did, however, bid to provide services at a higher rate.

At present, city residents pay $18.50 per month for service, and the city is charged $12.85 per month. Waste Pro of Florida’s bid is to provide service at $16.75 per month for the first cart and $4.25 per month for additional carts, or $13,567.59 per month, based on current customers.

BFI will continue to provide service through the last Friday of September, and Waste Pro will begin picking up garbage the first Saturday in October. In the week in between, the new company will provide new receptacles for residents.

In other business, the council:

• Agreed to vacate the western end of Goldenrod Street.

• Approved an inmate housing contract with the county commission. There will be no increase in costs to the city.

• Approved a variance to the sign ordinance that will allow the erection of an 8 foot-by-20-foot wide electronic billboard at Betty’s Fireworks on Hwy. 331.

• Reappointed Jean Ziglar to the Library Board.

• Appointed Annette DeVaughn Brown,

Ray Bundy, Justin Jackson, and Gwen Martin to the Board of Zoning Adjustments.