WOODVILLE &045; Natural gas rates will be adjusted each month to accommodate fluctuating market prices, according to an ordinance adopted Tuesday by Woodville aldermen.

Woodville Mayor Gary D’Aquila said the action would help the town avoid revenue losses when gas prices spike due to high demand during winter months.

&uot;This way, we won’t get caught like we did last year,&uot; D’Aquila said.

The town’s net income from gas sales was down $110,000 during the 2003 fiscal year.

The town previously charged a fixed rate of $11.25 per million cubic feet of gas, based on a $6 market price.

Board Attorney David Wilkerson said the town will need to maintain a $5.25 markup to cover expenses.

&uot;The clerk will have to calculate the (market) price each month, and the board will need to look at the numbers each month and adjust the rates,&uot; Wilkerson said.

Board members voted 3-0 to approve the measure. Alderman David Smith arrived at the meeting after the vote was taken.

In other matters, the board:

4Accepted the low bid of $239,300 from Spinks Construction of St. Francisville, La.,for construction of a new water treatment plant for the town. The project, funded by a 2003 Community Development Block Grant, will include the installation of new aerators, reservoirs and pumps.

4Authorized Wilkerson to extend

a reimbursement offer of $1,000 to Woodville resident Curtiss Vidrine for sewer system replacement costs. Vidrine last month billed the town for $2,900 in costs he claimed to incur prior to discovery of a defect in the town’s sewer sytem.

4Hired Rev. Tom Sexton as a part-time dispatcher for the police department.

4Heard a report from street department foreman Donald Carter on the on-going installation of new Emergancy 911 street signs.