Paying utility bills and court fines online may soon be an option for city residents.

     Brookhaven aldermen approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with B.B.I., which would process online payments for water bills and court fines and fees.

     Residents paying online would face somewhat higher bills. City Clerk Mike Jinks told board members Tuesday night a fee of approximately 3 to 5 percent of a resident’s total bill would be added to online payments.

     Jinks said he could not recall the exact percentage of the fee, which would pay for the cost of the online system. The city cannot pay the costs associated with the online bill pay system out of the general fund, as the Water and Sewer Department must remain self-sustaining and fee-based.

     “It’s a convenience fee,” said Mayor Les Bumgarner. “For some people, it’s probably cheaper than the cost of driving to the government complex.”

     Ward Five Alderman D.W. Maxwell expressed some concern about the amount of the fee, but Jinks said B.B.I. currently has no serious competition.

     Paying by mail or in person would remain available.

     It’s unclear when the online bill pay system will be implemented. Jinks said notices will be mailed to residents along with their water bills when the feature becomes available.

     Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameron was glad to see the feature finally made available.

     “When we first put up our website, this was one the last features we planned to offer online,” Cameron said.

     In other business, Doug Boykin, of Rex Lumber, appeared before the board to discuss a lease/purchase agreement for the speculative building in the old industrial park.

     Under the agreement, Rex Lumber would pay $20,000 a year over a 10-year period, with a final $200,000 payment at the end of the 10-year period.

     Boykin said Rex Lumber considered a short-term lease. However, renovations must be done to the building to make it usable for Rex Lumber, so the company decided purchasing the building was preferable.

     “Rex is committed to this community,” Boykin said. “They’re going to be here a while.”

     Rex Lumber will play for all renovations to the building.

     The speculative building is jointly owned by the city and the county. Aldermen passed a resolution approving an agreement with Rex Lumber pending an appraisal of the site and a final decision made in conjunction with the county board of supervisors.

     The board also approved a bid by Hanco Corporation to build the FEMA Safe Room project. Hanco’s base bid was more than $2.6 million.

     Aldermen also gave Dungan Engineering authority to move forward with plans to lower the curb on Whitworth Avenue in front of Railroad Park. The project will be paid for with $80,000 remaining from a previous grant.

     Local resident Roy Smith appeared before the board following the request of a board committee that Bumgarner reconsider his past decision to veto appearances by Smith.

     Smith primarily voiced concerns about conditions on the eastside of Brookhaven. He discussed the distance of many eastside areas from emergency services, particularly when a train is crossing the downtown railroad tracks. He also highlighted the lack of sidewalks and other infrastructure in the area.

     “Our children have to walk in the streets,” Smith said. “We pay taxes too, and we haven’t seen any return on our investment.”

     Smith also referenced statements by Bumgarner that he was vetoing Smith’s appearance because of Smith’s “negativity” toward the board.

     “If you can’t take criticism, you shouldn’t be in office,” Smith said.