After more than a year of talking, the River Falls Town Council was finally approved for $130,000 in grant funds from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for radio-read water meters.

Joe Harmon of David Hicks and Associates met with the council to decide how to bid the project.

Harmon said that Shane Cook, who helps the town and also works with the water system in Red Level is very familiar with Master Meter brand meters.

Harmon said Covington County Water Authority also had the same brand.

Additionally, Harmon said the Town of Gantt is doing a similar project and he hoped to bid both out at the same time to ensure a better price.

Harmon said the project must be advertised for four weeks, and he anticipated it to be about a month-and-a-half before time to award the bid.

Harmon also suggested that the town refinance some old rural development loans, which were currently financed at 4.5 percent to the new low of 2.75 percent, which could save the town a significant amount of money or free up cash for much-needed projects.