Florala youth will soon have an opportunity to play some round ball, after the city council gave the city recreational board the authority to create a youth basketball league Monday.

City council members also approved an agreement with the Covington County Recreational Board to fund the basketball league.

Under the terms of the 20-year agreement, the CCRB will pay out $5,000 annually to the city on an as-needed basis. That payment will increase by 5 percent every five years, and the first payment is due April 1, 2012.

However, city officials are not waiting until the check arrives before allowing local youth to hit the courts.

“We recognize the need to inspire changes in youth sports,” Mayor Robert Williamson said. “The skills that our children learn by participating will benefit them throughout their life, and with the reacquisition of the Florala City Middle School, we are thrilled to now have a facility to house youth activities such as this basketball league,” Williamson said. “We really expect more endeavors such as this league to follow.”

A tentative start date of Nov. 1 has been set by the city rec board. Those interested in playing or coaching should contact Jan Allred at the Florala News, Fontella Thompson at 334-858-6903 or any member of the city rec board.

In other business, the council:

• reappointed Jean Ziglar to the library board.

• approved a resolution honoring the late William H. “Billy” McDaniel for his contributions to the city as utilities board chairman.

• adopted an ordinance making it unlawful to park all tractor-trailers or other trucks having a gross weight of more than 26,001 pounds on city streets; established a permitting system that would allow operators to park vehicles on Industrial Park Road; and set an annual $75 permit fee.

• adopted an ordinance setting guidelines for liquor, beer and wine licensing in Florala.

• announced the city had received an additional $13,277 in stimulus funds for improvements to Alabama Street.