WEST LOGAN — The Town of West Logan got some good news on two fronts this week.

On Monday, May 11 the Logan County Commission gave the town a check for $5,000 for law enforcement from the county's levy funding and it had a first reading of a new ordinance to address a problem that has been discussed monthly by the town's elected officials over the past year — abandoned and dilapidated houses.

West Logan received $5000 from a total of $70,000 in law enforcement funding that came from excesses in the county's fire and ambulance levy. Councilmembers were elated with the news and councilmember Jamie Browning noted that with routine repair bills on the town's cruiser it might be a good idea to take the new funds and what was left of the county's last gift to the West Logan PD and combine them with a grant to replace the cruiser. The most recent repair bill for the car was in the $800 range, Browning noted.

The town also agreed to adopt an ordinance that would bring it into compliance with the County Commission's proposed dilapidated and abandoned building ordinance. For several months the town council has been dealing with the problem of several abandoned and dilapidated structures, some of which are burnt out, others of which are falling in, that are within walking distance of city hall.

Earlier that day the County had a first reading of the new ordinance which will set up an agency to identify and address the problem. Landowners will be identified and contacted to let them know their structure is out of compliance and that they must file a plan with the agency on how they are going to repair or remove the buildings. Property owners can appeal the process at a hearing, but if the property is still out of compliance the landowner faces possible fines. If the structures are not repaired or removed the county will hire contractors to repair or remove them and the landowner will be billed for the total cost and the county will seek financial redress in civil court.

Councilmembers also agreed to delay the towns annual clean up to coincide with the countywide cleanup being held by the County Commission later this year. The commission has received a grant from the state to pay for tipping fees at the dump. Mayor Akers said people will be asked that week to set their stuff out earlier in order to keep the town sanitation department from being bogged down on one day. The date for the countywide clean up has not been set yet.

Councilmembers discussed the upcoming town election on June 9. Town Clerk Kristi Adkins said the town had to find two Republicans to work as poll workers in the election and the early election on May 30 and June 6.

Anybody interested in working the polls is asked to contact Adkins at 687-4177.

Councilmember Browning and Mayor Darren Akers discussed the pros and cons of the town's garbage service, which is covered for residents in the $21 city sanitation and police fees. Browning noted that the town is not making any money off the service, while Akers pointed out that the garbage pick up the town supplies at low cost to residents to improve the quality of life. Akers said the town was not going into the hole on the service and pointed out that town sanitation employees did other things for the community besides just picking up trash.

Town Clerk Kristi Adkins noted the town's bills were $5,000 for last month and that was somewhat higher than normal due to the $800 repair bill on the police car and $769 in other unexpected bills.

In other West Logan news:

• Council discussed possibly having a boundary map research to find out where city limits actually end as there has been some confusion as to whether or not current signs are accurate.

• The safety committee report was approved. It noted that ceiling tiles damaged by a water leak needed to be repaired as well as rust damage to the town's garbage truck.