Restoration of the old jail may be fully realized by the end of the year, thanks to a grant from former Fairfield resident, Joe Coleman, and last week’s approval by Fairfield City Council to match the $25,000 donation.


A total of $50,000 will be made available, with the City’s portion coming out of the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.


Current estimates for the jail project total just under $55,000. The work includes:


–Reroofing the building


–Enclosing front of jail behind metal fence (to protect restoration)


–Jail bar window fabrication


–Jail bar window installation


–Duct-free mini-split heating/cooling system


–Interior plaster work


–Painting interior


“The board of directors is hopeful that the museum has adequate fund of its own to make up the difference in costs,” says Freestone County Historical Museum Board President, Linda Mullen. They are looking to have the jail finished and open for tours by the end of 2020.


Fairfield City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 with Mayor Kenneth Hughes presiding and three council members present: Place 3 – Bobby Nichols, Place 4 – Landis Bayless, and Place 5 – David Steward.


During Department Head reports, City Administrator Nate Smith informed the Council that sales tax collection for the month of May were up by 5.62 percent over the previous year, and 3.93 percent higher for the fiscal year. “We will likely see the effects of COVID-19 on sales tax next month,” said Smith.


Other General Fund revenues were trending steadily, according to City Administrator Smith, and the Enterprise Fund was trending higher than projected.


As to expenditures, Smith states the City staff have kept spending to a minimum during the COVID-19 response, and “will continue to do so for the remainder of the fiscal year.”


On the recommendation of Kevin Vanhoozier of Hayter Engineering, Council approved a $77,172.50 bid to Capps-Capco Construction for an emergency sewer bore project on Highway 75 near Moody Street.


The purchase of a generator was approved for the Ivy Well at the cost of $83,333 from Small Engine Sales of Corsicana.


Although only 75,000 had been appropriated in the 2019-20 budget for this expense, City Administrator Smith advised that it was a good time for the generator purchase. “We have the money now,” said Smith. “We should go ahead and spend it, rather than kicking the can down the road for another five to six years.”


Also approved was a $3,800 purchase request for the removal of three trees: two in the kiddie park and one in the fair huts area. The work will be completed by Rutherford Tree Service.


Following a closed Executive Session, Council approved the hiring of three individuals:


–Martin Gallegos: Public Works – Sewer Plant


–Larry Ballou: Public Works – Sewer Plant


–Aldo Hernandez: Police Department – Officer