SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The City Council inched closer to providing the city’s own police dispatch services during Monday’s regular meeting.

The council approved unanimously a resolution awarding the bid for emergency dispatch services to North Carolina-based Southern Software Inc. in the amount of $122,420. The resolution actually authorizes an expenditure of as much as $125,000 should any unforeseen expenses arise.

Responding to council member concerns regarding the nearly $90,000 discrepancy between Southern Software’s bid and the next closest of $212,000 submitted by a Pensacola company, Police Chief David Edgar said the North Carolina company’s software is not only less expensive but more compatible with the police department’s existing data software, translating to saving about $25,000 for the data conversion alone

The council also approved a resolution awarding Asphalt Services Inc. a $221,976 bid for a paving project involving Water Tower Road, Terry and Wayside Drives.

City Attorney David Conner explained that even though Asphalt Services did not submit the lowest bid, the company was deemed the “lowest responsible, responsive bidder” because the four lowest bids — ranging from $190,000 to $206,000 — failed to meet basic bid criteria.

Mayor Joe Bonner said the budgeted project was placed on a fast track as the city attempts to have the work completed before cold weather settles in.

District 1 Councilman Dismuke was the lone dissenter in the 5-to-1 vote, citing lack of review of the discarded bids.

District 2 Councilman Mike McMillan noted, however, that bid reviews fall squarely within Bonner’s authority, and the council has never set a precedent of reviewing bids, but acts instead on the mayor’s recommendations.

“I’m very comfortable with (Bonner’s) decision within this process,” McMillan said.

In other business the council:

*Delivered a first reading of a resolution authorizing Bonner to accept the donation of 11.5 acres of property.

*Delivered a first reading of a resolution authorizing Bonner to retain the services of Daphne architectural firm Forrest Daniel and Associates to proceed with the design plans for Phase I of a proposed City Complex.

*Bonner, citing the mayor’s control of the agenda, called Dismuke out of order when the district 1 councilman attempted to introduce an amendment setting distance standards for the installation of water and sewer lines. (For more on this topic, see the Nov. 26 edition of The Bulletin.)

*Approved unanimously a retail liquor-license request  for Tacky Jacks Battleship Parkway to be housed in the former Oysterella’s location on the Causeway.

*Announced City Hall will be closed Nov. 25-26 in observance of Thanksgiving with offices reopening at 8 a.m. Nov. 29.

*Announced Advance Disposal Services will not pick up garbage on Thanksgiving Day. The Nov. 25 pick-up day has been moved to Nov. 26 and the Nov. 26 pick up will shift to Nov. 27.

*Announced the city’s fourth annual “Spirit of Christmas” parade will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 4 at the Eastern Shore Centre. Parade applications are available online at www.cityofspanishfort.com and at City Hall. The parade route will begin at Dillard’s.

The next regular meeting of the council will begin with a 5 p.m. work session in the conference room at City Hall on Dec. 6, followed immediately by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.