Spanish Fort city officials said work should begin soon on 18 different drainage improvement projects around the city.

Mayor Mike McMillan told the council that the low bid was Asphalt Services, Inc. for $89,350.50, which he said was well under the $100,000 the council set for the projects this budget year.

“We gather them all up like this to save money on project costs,” McMillan said.

The projects include fixing sinkholes and potholes, broken curbs, asphalt protrusions and fixing inlet boxes in different areas.

McMillan said he had hopes the projects could be completed quickly.

During the council’s work session, McMillan also brought up the city’s Parks and Recreation Director position, left vacant after the death of beloved city employee Pat Cornelius.

McMillan said with the vacancy, the city had a chance to change some of the job duties and expectation of the position.

“It’s going to be a unique individual and this position is going to be unique in its own way,” McMillan said. “Part of the job description will be handling things we haven’t been capable of doing previously.”

Councilwoman Mary Brabner said she hoped whomever took over the position would make it a priority to boost the town’s tennis programs, especially for the city’s youth.

Councilman J.R. Smith said he hoped the city would spell out exactly what they expected of a new director before they hired someone for the position.

“They’re pretty much going to be on call 24-7 because they’re going to have a lot to handle,” Smith said. “If you’re going to have a Parks and Recreation Director, you’re going to need them to be on call at all times to handle whatever might possibly come up.”

McMillan said he and other city officials would work to have a job description and possible salary schedule for the council to study at a future meeting.