The Andalusia City Council, during its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night, agreed to split the payment of a garbage bill over the past five years with the Covington County Commission, in which fees were charged for their old facility, according to Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson.

Johnson said $7,500 will come out of the city's contingency fund to help pay for the bill, and another $7,500 will be paid by the commission.

Johnson said the original proposal from the commission was to have all of the bill paid for, but Johnson said Commission Chairman Greg White agreed on splitting the costs.

"We work hand-in-hand with the commission for some industrial projects and other events in the county," Johnson said. "It would be unfair for them to pay all of the amount, but at the same time, it would be unfair for us to pay the full amount."

The council unanimously supported the motion of splitting the cost of the bill.

Johnson said the council will have to set a special meeting to vote on bids for the Fiscal Year 2001 LWCP Grant Projects, inclusive of Coleman, Robinson, Fletcher, and Horry Parks.

"We will have to wait until Friday, when we'll actually receive the bids, to set a special meeting to vote on them," he said.

The City Utilities Director Andy Wiggins gave a report on the new City Hall building on East Three Notch Street, and he said the facility will tentatively be ready by Dec. 12.

Johnson added administrative offices at the old City Hall will close Dec. 11 at 3 p.m., but utility workers making house calls will still be available at that time.

Councilman Mike Jones announced a check from the Southeast Alabama Gas District to the city for $333,332. As a member of the gas district board, he added the investment of the area around the Black Warrior River and Tuscaloosa proved to be a good one.

Johnson said the amount was more than expected.

The Andalusia Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Christmas Parade this Friday at 5 p.m., and Councilman Bridges Anderson announced there will be children pulling wagons for spectators of the parade to place canned goods inside.