FERRIDAY, La. &045; The Town Council on Tuesday appointed former councilman Bob Jones to serve the unexpired term of Councilman Mitch Ashmore.

Ashmore resigned Aug. 31 since he moved from his district, but the council had to wait until the Secretary of State’s Office declared the position vacant to make an appointment.

Jones will serve until the town can hold aldermen elections in April.

The board voted to pay consultant Oliver Schultz $4,725 for compiling the town’s reapportionment plans, which were precleared by the U.S. Department of Justice last month.

The federal government requires redistricting to take place every 10 years to even out the number of voters in districts after population shifts have taken place.

It also voted to apply for a $25,000 Rural Development grant to replace 100 water meters and to buy two used police cars.

One of the town’s police cars was recently damaged in an accident, while another was in dire need of repairs, Mayor Gene Allen said.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Randy Maxwell has donated two vehicles to the Ferriday Police Department for use until the town can purchase more cars.

In other business, the board:

4Heard a brief presentation from Allen on the need to replace a lid on a tank at the town’s water plant. Allen said Rural Development representatives will meet with town officials soon to discuss needed upgrades at the troubled plant.

4Introduced an amendment to the town’s alcohol permitting ordinance, which still contained permit fees from 1946.

4Voted to sell 70 acres the town owns on Poole Road to Fisher Properties, which submitted the highest of two bids &045; an offer of $1,205.

4Granted Sonic a utility easement for its planned expansion.