Garbage rates will increase to a minimum of $25 per household when the city’s new garbage collection contract with Waste Pro of Florida goes into effect in October.

At present, garbage rates in Florala are $18.50 per month per household, a figure that has been unchanged for at least 15 years. In October, residents will begin paying $25 per household for one garbage container; and an additional $20 if there is a second container.

Waste Pro, which will pick up garbage on Wednesdays, begins service on Wed., Oct. 1.

Between now and then, Waste Pro will provide new containers to all residents. Once Allied Waste’s contract expires at the end of September, the company will pick up the containers currently being used.

In other business, the council:

• Agreed to pay $850 to Allen Heating and Air to repair the air conditioning at Head Start.

• Agreed to vacate a portion of Goldenrod Avenue; declared the portion of Goldenrod Avenue which the city owned surplus; and agreed to sell the 50 foot-by-100-foot strip surplus and to sell it to Ricky Suggs for $750.

• Set its next meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 15.