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The Valley City Council had a short meeting on Monday night before its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. There were only a couple of items on the agenda for the council’s consideration.

The largest topic of discussion was the approval of bids to cut seven trees. There were three bids, with the lowest bid, $6,200, being awarded to Timber Pro Tree Service. There was confusion among the council members, due to the cost of the other bids. One was for $7,000 while the other was almost six times more expensive at $40,400.

Both council members Jim Clark and Jim Jones, asked for clarification on the outlier bid, wondering if the $6,200 was the cost per tree. Kathy Snowden, the city clerk, said that was the total cost. Mayor Leonard Riley added that he had never seen a bid that high for these services. 

In the end, the council unanimously approved the $6,200 bid.

The council also approved the sale of eight lots to Kobeck Properties, LLC off of 30th Street, after its second reading. The lots were sold for $250,000. 

Council member Randall Maddux asked Riley to explain to the large audience where the $250,000 goes. He replied that it goes into the general fund of the city’s budget. 

Following the meeting, the crowded council chamber emptied out to see the Christmas tree in front of the city hall lit up for the holidays. Riley opened the ceremony by saying, “Valley is in the best financial situation it’s ever been in.”

He then brought up County Probate Judge Paul Story to lead the congregation in Christmas carols as the lights around city hall were turned on.