The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday approved a new contract with the county for housing city inmates.

The contract maintains the current $24 per day per inmate basic housing rate, but increases the cost of meals from $7 to $7.70 per day per inmate. The contract also removes a clause that said the city would only be charged for one day’s meals for an inmate booked in late at night (after meals) and booked out the next day. Now, the charge will be for two days’ meals.

The council also:

• Executed its contract with the county for animal control. The $15,000 annual contract must be approved by the county commission. The city does not patrol the county for strays, but accepts stray animals from all parts of the county, under the terms of the contract.

Through September, the Andalusia animal shelter has accepted 471 dogs and 289 cats from the county this year.

• Heard a presentation from Bethesda House board members.

• Approved abatements at 405 Opp Ave. and for an empty lot on King Street.

• Authorized the purchase of a backhoe.

• Reappointed Nancy Hammett to Library Board.