The Nestle Water plant just outside of Red Boiling Springs is planning to be inside of the city soon, RBS Mayor Kenneth Hollis announced to the council at their regular meeting last Thursday night, November 9. Councilman Jimmy Roark and City Attorney Jon Wells were both absent.

“They're getting the paperwork together with their layers to be annexed into the city limits, so they'll be sure to get water,” Hollis said.

The council also heard a request by Heather Kempf of North Central Security Systems for money over the amount of their bid for security systems at the city's two water treatment plants.

Kempf explained that somewhere between the time that David Kempf discussed the city's needs with water supervisor Brian Long, and the time that she wrote up the bid, an error was made that resulted in a lower bid than the actual cost of the equipment.

Councilman Ray Bilbrey pointed out that the contractor who made the mistake generally had to eat the cost.

“It's my mistake,” Kempt told the council. “We really appreciate the city's business, and we're not talking lawsuit or anything here. All we can do is ask for payment for the already installed equipment.”

The council agreed to invite David Kempf to their regular December meeting to shed more light on the error, and to put off a decision until that time. They later decided to bring up the issue at a special called meeting on November 16 at 5 p.m. No member of North Central Security is expected to attend.

In an update on the walking track behind the Palace, Mayor Hollis told the council that the corporation is now talking about paving the track, using it as part of their therapy program, and leasing it to the city. The city would put insurance on it.

In other business, the council:

-decided to put off discussion of the natural gas franchise until Attorney Jon Wells could be present.

-accepted the resignation of Joel Powell from the Fire Department, and voted to replace Powell with Donnie Crawford.

-tabled a discussion on a bereavement clause until the December meeting.

-voted unanimously to give all utility department workers, excluding Brian Long and Chad Owen, a $1.00 per hour raise. All workers now have cross connection licenses, Hollis reported.

-agreed to give each full time city employee an $100 Christmas bonus, and each Fire Department member a turkey.

A special called meeting is to be held on Thursday, November 16 at 5 p.m. In addition to discussing the North Central Security bid, bids for the repair of City Hall will be accepted, and raises for city clerks will be discussed. The next regular meeting of the council will be December 14 at 7 p.m.