“It looks like it’s going to be quick tonight,” Mayor BillGodbold said as city officials moved through a short and ratherroutine agenda at Tuesday night’s board meeting.

With the exception of a purchase order procedure warning and arequest for a traffic light for a subdivision, there was littlediscussion during Tuesday’s approximately 20-minute meeting.

Mentioning a threat of a lawsuit that appears unlikely, CityAttorney Joe Fernald warned of the need for city officials to makesure purchase order procedures are followed. Purchases must have anorder number and approval of the board of aldermen.

Fernald was referring to a recent incident where anapproximately $1,000 shipment of degreasing solvent was sent to thesolid waste department following a telephone inquiry about apreviously-approved purchase. The attorney said the supervisor gavethe product a good review.

“It appears that was used to justify shipment of another order,”Fernald said.

Fernald said no purchase order or authorization for thesubsequent shipment could be found, and the city had offered toreturn the product. He recommended letters be sent to departmentheads reminding them of purchase order procedures.

In another matter, Fernald also recommended city officials setup a special account for handling 2 percent chamber lodging taxrevenue should it be approved by the state legislature.

“I don’t think that’s uncommon to ask for,” Fernald said.

The tax would fund chambers plans to boost tourism and retireedevelopment efforts.

In other discussions, the board delayed action on a request fora traffic light for a new city subdivision. Officials knew of noaction to have the subdivision plans and streets dedicated andwanted to talk to the developer before acting on the lightrequest.

Aldermen approved the hiring of two new police officers, JasonGaskin and Ray Smith, and the resignation of Officer B.W. Pitts.Police Chief Fred McKee said Pitts left to take a job offshore.

In airport-related action, Airport Manager Benton Furlowreported 47 flights for December, seven related motel room rentals,five rental car uses and four courtesy car trips. Total revenue forthe month was $4,282.

“That’s good for the winter months,” Godbold said.

City officials also discussed a meeting with the airportadvisory commission to discuss long-range operations. A meetingdate was not set, but it was expected to be sometime thismonth.