Bonifay approves land use change, extends deadline for fire expansion

BONIFAY – An ordinance to change a land use designation from low density residential to high density residential was approved when the Bonifay City Council met in regular session on July 12. 

The issue was tabled at the last council meeting in order for the council to obtain a copy of proposed plans for the site. 

The developer, Ean Williams, provided a copy of the plans, which show town homes he intend to build at 3271 Highway 90 East.

Councilman Roger Brooks moved to have the issue tabled once again to give residents who questioned the council regarding the plans for the site the opportunity to attend the meeting. A second to the motion did not come. 

Jenny Williams, mother of the developer, questioned why the council would need to table the action.

“Why does this issue need to be tabled for someone else to be here?” she asked. “My son was not here to speak on his behalf, so it is only fair to move ahead even if the others arenÂ’t here this time.” 

The ordinance was approved in a 4-1 vote. Brooks was the lone nay vote. 

 A change order for the Bonifay Fire Department Expansion project was also approved. The change is to allow for required additional electrical work to be completed. The cost of the change order was just under $6,000. The order included the addition of 30 days to the contract, making the completion date  December 31, 2021. A pay request for the same project was approved by the council in the amount of $124,930. 

In other items, the council approved a measure that will require anyone who wants to be on the agenda to make the request by the close of business on the Monday prior to the next meeting. This requirement will not affect anyone who comes to speak to the council in the public portion of the council meetings. 

Bonifay City Council will meet again in a budget workshop at 6 p.m. on July 20.