Exploring possible new methods of accounting practices was a primary subject during the regular meeting of the City of Andalusia Utilities Board Wednesday evening.

During the session, the board heard a presentation from representatives of Jackson Thornton Utilities, regarding programs which might allow the board to establish new methods of accounting and bookkeeping, while also allowing it

to get comparative information from other utilities entities.

The accounting practices would be different from government accounting, and would be more in conjunction with regulatory information.

The board elected to consider the presentation of Jackson Thornton, and could possibly take action at the next regular meeting.

During Wednesday's meeting, the Utilities Board also awarded bids for a Prestwood Bridge sewer outfall project, a bid for water system improvements on U.S. Hwy. 84 and a bid for sewer system improvements on U.S. Hwy 84.

The board awarded the Prestwood Bridge bid to L & K Contracting Inc. for $538,190.35. This will include a gravity flow sewer system that will eliminate four pumping stations. This will in turn also save the city significant maintenance costs.

The bid for the water system improvements on U.S 84 was awarded to Water, Sewer and Gas Works

in the amount of $215,682, with the city to be reimbursed 100 percent by the State of Alabama, while the same agency was awarded the sewer system improvement bid for U.S. 84 in the amount of

$112,435.50.

Electrical Superintendent Royce Whigham gave an update on the new utilities billing system which will begin for city residents in the near future.

The system is slated to begin in June, with residents to get a more detailed bill, instead of the card which they have previously received, due to concerns about privacy and the new bill will allow much more information and will also allow the city to issue a newsletter to be included with the bill in the near future.

In other business discussed at Wednesday's meeting, the City of Andalusia Utilities Board:

Heard general reports from Whigham and Water and Sewer Superintendent Jimmy Wilson. Donna Cross of the Wastewater Department was not present at Wednesday's meeting, but sent a report that was read by Utilities Board Superintendent Earl Wilson. The wastewater report dealt with general maintenance issues. During Whigham's report, he discussed the Project Share program and the possibility of electronic payments among other issues. During Wilson's report, he gave a report on the new water tower on the corner of 2nd Street and 1st Avenue. He said the tower should be completed within 30 days and said painting work is still progressing.

Reviewed financial reports.

Approved the minutes from the

April 8 meeting.