If you’re seeking information or establishing a new home in Florala, City Hall would like to help make your quest as smooth as possible.
The attached pamphlet of information has been compiled to make the search for information about what the City of Florala has to offer a little less complicated. We have included various bits of information that you might find helpful, such as school information, local doctor’s offices, who to call for an emergency, the procedures and goals of the Florala City Council and the various services that the City of Florala has to offer. You will also find the applications needed to establish electric, water and gas services and the costs associated with these services for a new residence.
If, for any reason, the information you requested was not readily available, I would like to apologize beforehand for not having the information available to you. I can assure you that we will correct this matter as soon as possible. Please call me at (334) 858-7407, if you have not received the information you needed, so that we may discuss any questions you might have.
Thank you again for your interest in Florala.
Danny Franklin,
Mayor
City of Florala and the Tri-cities Chamber of Commerce have many services to offer.
The following forms of information may be obtained in our offices. We have City and County Maps, brochures on historical sites and voter’s registration forms.
We have tax forms available during tax season at the Florala Public Library. The city clerk is a Notary Public. We offer this service at no cost to the customer.
We also have the required forms for Alatax. Alatax is the City’s sales tax collector for intrastate and interstate business. This will give you the information on how to report and pay-collected sales taxes.
All businesses are required to purchase a local business license. Contact City Hall for filing requirements.
Each year beginning December 1 through December 31, we offer applications for Solid Waste (household garbage) Exemptions. This is for anyone whose income is derived by Social Security, SSI and VA. You may call this office at (334-858-3612) or come by the office. We will be glad to assist you.
Many churches and non-profit organizations hold roadblocks to raise money. We have the applications for adults and children. The parent or guardian must sign the application beside the child’s signature for any child that is under the age of 18. You may call this office at (334-858-3612) to schedule a date for an upcoming roadblock. Each person is required to wear an orange vest. We supply the vest and traffic cones. All the above information and supplies may be obtained at City Hall.
We, also rent the Florala Civic Center for events. There is a fee of $100.00 plus a ($ 50.00 security deposit). The security deposit will be returned upon inspection of the building to make sure it has been cleaned.
City Offices and Services
City of Florala Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
P.O. Box 351
Florala, Alabama 36442
City Clerk Lykeshia Anderson
City Attorney John Peake
Florala City Council
The Florala City Council is made up of five council members and one mayor. Their goal is to represent their respective areas in any and all matters
of the city. To contact your Council member, your council member are:
Mayor: Danny Frankin 858-7407 23243 4th Ave
District # 1 Grady Hobbs 858-3820 22572 12th Ave
District # 2 Lorene Thompson 858-7695 22088 7th Ave
District # 3 Deborah Inabinette 858-2095 982 5th Street
District # 4 Robert Williamson 858-7624 23496 4th Ave
District # 5 Sue Mathis 858-6980 26414 5th Ave
To contact your council member, feel free to call them at home or to leave a message for them at City Hall. If you would like to view city council district map come by City Hall.
The Florala City Council meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30. A workshop is held before the first monthly meeting and a town meeting is held after the second meeting of the month. To be placed on the agenda for an upcoming council meeting, you must contact the City Clerk no later than noon on the Monday prior to the upcoming meeting. To contact the City Clerk, call 858-3612.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
FLORALA LISTING
CITY HALL 334-858-3612
POLICE DEPARTMENT 334-858-3245
MUNICIPAL COURT 334-858-2791
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 334-858-6252
PUBLIC LIBRARY 334-858-3525
SENIOR SERVICE CENTER 334-858-3310
STATE PARK 334-858-6425
BUSINESS LISTING
ALABAMA POWER 334-858-3541
FAIR POINT COMUNICATIONS 334-858-3211
REGIONS BANK 850-834-2127
WACHOVIA BANK 334-858-3361
THE FLORALA NEWS 334-858-3342
DOCTORS
GEORGE KIRACOFE MD 334-858-8646
DAVID MARSH MD 334-858-3241
S. VISHWANATH MD 334-858-2050
FLORALA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 334-858-3287
TOWN OF LOCHART
MAYOR’S OFFICE/CITY CLERK 334-858-6744
FIRE DEPARTMENT 334-858-6615
POLICE DEPARTMENT 334-858-3355
TOWN OF PAXTON
MAYOR’S OFFICE 850-834-2489
TOWNHALL/WATER DEPT. 850-834-2716
FIRE DEPARTMENT 850-834-2123
WALTON CO. SHERIFF’S SUBSTATION 850-834-4158
ANDALUSIA LISTINGS
BFI (solid waste disposal) 800-333-7034
Adult and Community Education
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Tuesday and Thursday nights from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Brush up on your studies with the help of the Adult and Community Education Center. G.E.D studies, beginning computer classes, remedial reading and math classes are offered. The State Community Education programs are offered to help citizens venturing into the educational world. The center also offers help for organizations, such as churches and civic clubs, with specialized studies for their organizations. The center is ranked # 1 in the state for adult education. For more information, contact Diann McCurley at 858-4100.
Florala Head Start
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Schedule follows public school calendar
All interested parents of 3- and 4- year-old children must submit an application for enrollment. Applications can be picked up at 22850 Eighth Ave., behind Florala Middle School. Applicants’ family must meet income requirements before a child can become a student. Head Start offers programs for students on social skills and academic preparation for elementary school. Two meals and one snack are served everyday and volunteers are always needed. For more information, contact Mary Sue Ashberry at 858-3060.
Primary Education Facilities
W.S. Harlan Elementary School
Located at 1641 Mohegan Street, Lockhart. This elementary school serves grades kindergarten through sixth. Principal is Mr. Brent Zessin. For more information call 858-3294.
Florala City Middle School
Located at 1402 West 7th Avenue, Florala. This middle school serves the seventh and eighth grades. Principal is Mr. Rodney Drish. For more information, call 858-3625
Florala High School located on West 3rd Avenue, Florala. This school serves grades ninth through twelfth. Principal is Mr. Terry Holley. For more information, call 858-6925.
Secondary Education Facility
Lurleen B.Wallace Jr. College
Located in Andalusia, this two-year junior college offers not only associate degrees in the arts and sciences, but also specialized degrees and certificates. For more information or enrollment service, call (334) 222-6591.
MacArthur State Technical College
Located in Opp, this technical school offers degrees and certificates for everything from cosmetology to nursing and from drafting to diesel mechanics. For more information or enrollment services, call (334) 493-3573
Troy State University
Located in Troy (which is only 2 hours from Florala) this is a 4-year university offering not only a bachelor’s degree program, but it also offers a master’s degree program. For more information or enrollment service call, (334) 670 5656.
Public safety and Emergency Services
To report an emergency, dial 911. Please be prepared to provide as much information and location of the emergency when calling.
Police Chief: Bruce Maddox
In non-emergency situations or if you need to speak with an officer with the Florala Police Department, call 858-3244. This number is a direct line to Central Dispatch. Tell the dispatcher what you need and they will have an officer get with you as soon as possible. Should you go to the police department and an officer is not available, a phone is placed outside the station for your convenience.
To request a new E11 address for you home or property, call 858-3244. You will need to provide your telephone number, a property description and your old address.
Florala Volunteer Fire Department
To report a fire, dial 911. Please be prepared to provide as much information and location of emergency when calling.
Fire Chief: Keith Martin
The City of Florala has 18 volunteer firefighters and three fire trucks. The Florala Fire Station is located at 311 4th Street.
Filing a complaint with City of Florala
Complaint forms may be requested at City Hall. It is asked that all complaints, when filed with the City Clerk, include a brief, but detailed explanation of the events and all those included in the incident.
Zoning and /or Rezoning of Property in Florala
All property in and around Florala is zoned for a specific use by the Florala Planning and Zoning Commission. For example, most areas where homes are located is zoned R-1 for single-family residential. Most businesses are zoned C-1, for commercial property, etc. A zoning map is located in City Hall for all questions concerning the zoning of a specific property in Florala.
To request that a section of property be rezoned, there are several steps to the process. You must first file a Request for Rezoning Form with the Planning Commission. This form can be obtained at City Hall. After filing the form with the Planning Commission, the property owner will be requested to meet with the Commission to discuss the issue of rezoning the property. Signs posting the request to rezone will be placed in front of the property and will remain in place until a public hearing is scheduled. After gaining the support of the Planning Commission, the request will then be forwarded on to the City Council, who ultimately vote on the rezoning request. This is a very lengthy process and can take up to approximately two months to complete.
Florala Municipal Court
The Florala Municipal Court handles all municipal matters, i.e. all incidents for which Florala Police Officers have issued a citation, warrant, etc. Please direct all calls concerning the Municipal Court to the Municipal Court Clerk, Janell Hill at 858- 2792 or by mail to P.O. Box 351 Florala, Alabama 36442. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All information acquired by the Florala Police department is logged and entered into the computer. Once a guilty plea is entered all information concerning the incident is then forwarded to the State of Alabama.
The Municipal Court Judge is the Honorable John Hones of Andalusia. Municipal Court Prosecutor is Mr. Larry Grissett and the Municipal Court Public Defender is Mr. Manish Patel.
Voter Registration
To register to vote in state, county and municipal elections, voter registration is required. You may contact the Board of Registrar’s office in Andalusia at (334) 428-2685 or come by City Hall to obtain voter registration forms or to update an out of date registration.
Driver’s License/Vehicle Registration and Tag Division
To transfer or obtain a new driver’s license or tag, you must travel to the Probate Judge’s office located in Covington County Court House in Andalusia, AL. To arrive in Andalusia, travel north along Hwy 55, at the second red light, make a left. Stay straight until you reach the square. At the square, make an automatic right and the courthouse is on your right. The Probate Judge’s office is directly under the stairs as you walk in the door.
For New Drive’s License: On either Monday or Wednesday, you must go through the state examiner’s office. Bring with you your old driver’s license. You will need your new address; a new license fee is $23.00.
To renew a driver’s license: On any day of the week, renewals are done in the Probate Judge’s office. Remember to bring your old license, new address. The fee for a new license if $23.00
To renew a driver’s license: On any day of the week, renewals are done in the Probate Judge’s office. You must have your old license.
For new tags: Bring the vehicle title or if the vehicle has a lien bring the loan account number. Fee is based on the type of vehicle and the assessed value of the vehicle.
The Florala Public Library
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch.
Let Library Director Cordelia Waldrop and Librarian Judy Petrey help your explore you way through the information resources of books, magazines, videos and audiocassettes on any subject imaginable. Five computers are available for Internet service, research purposed and E-mail. This is a free service to all citizens.
Special programs offered by the library are Miss Heidi’s Story Time for preschoolers ages 2 to 4 on Tuesdays at 10 am. The Summer Reading Program for school-aged children in Kindergarten through 4th grade is held on Thursdays during June from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
To obtain a library card, provide proof of local address such as a utility or phone bill and two forms of identification with current physical address or post office box. For more information call 858-3525.
Florala Senior Service Center
Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Center Manager Betty Laird and the Center staff offer programs on and nutrition and health, plus other activities such as visiting guest speakers, all while offering the benefit of group activities. Field trips in and around Alabama are a regular part of the activities. Walking groups, quilting groups, games and music singing round out the afternoons. The center also offers in-town transportation services and in-house and homebound meals. To qualify for transportation and meals, one must be 60-years or older. For more information, call 858-33210.
Establish Utilities Services in the City of Florala
Water/Sewer/Natural Gas/Garbage Florala Utilities
Located at 1401 E 5th Avenue in the Florala Utilities Building. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To establish utility service, you must complete the attached application. If you are renting, please bring with you a copy of your lease agreement and put up a security deposit. For renters, the amount is $ 100.00 and for homeowners $ 75.00.
To establish gas service, you must also put up an additional $ 75.00 deposit for homeowners or renters.
Electricity-Alabama Power
Located at 523 N 5th Street, office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed from 12 noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Thursday the office closes at noon. To establish electrical service, you must complete the attached application; a security deposit may be required. Deposit amounts range upward to $150.00. Co-signers are accepted when applying for service and the deposit waived if the co-signer has an account with Alabama Power in good standing or if the individual left Alabama Power with an account in good standing.
Telephone- DSL Fair Point Communications
Located across the road from Alabama Power on N. 5th Street. office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed from 12 noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Thursday the office closes at noon. The application process for Fair Point can be completed either in their office or over the phone by calling 811 in Florala or 1-800-722-7288. Have the following information ready when applying for telephone service: mailing and physical address, Social Security Number, Driver’s License Number, employer, decision of long distance carrier. The fees for establishing phone service differ two ways: (1) with a letter of credit for a creditable phone service for the past 12 months or three local credit reference, one only must pay $ 17.25 service charge; (2) without a letter of credit or credit reference, one must pay a $ 75.00 deposit and a $ 17.25 service charge.
Cable Service-Digital Telephone -Brighthouse Networks
Located at 94 Walton road, DeFuniak Springs Fl. Their office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To schedule installation, call 1-80-288-1664. Have on hand physical and mailing addresses, phone number and Social Security Number. The price for installation is $ 29.85 if house has been wired for cable, if not $53.75. When establishing cable service, on must pay the installation fee and the first month’s bill. Estimated installation time 2-3 days after scheduling.
Other Services
Direct TV and Dish Networks are also available in the Florala area.
Security Deposit Requirements for New Residents
Water Deposit Mobile Home /Renter $100.00
Gas Deposit Mobile Home/Renter $100.00
Water Deposit Home Owner $75.00
Gas Deposit Home Owner $75.00
Sewer Rates $15.00 per month
Garbage $18.50 per month
Meter Set Fee $200.00
Sewer Tap Fee $200.00 + $900.00 impact fee
Security Deposit Requirement for Commercial
Business Owners or Renters
Water and Gas Deposit $100.00 each
Sewer Tap Fee $400.00 + $900.00 per unit
Meter Set Fee (3/4 inch) $200.00
Commercial Rate $52.00 per month
Garbage Rate $18.50 per container
If you are a business owner and would like to rent a Cubic Yard Dumpster, you will need to contact:
BFI of Andalusia 1-800-333-7034
For all Turn-on and Turn-offs, and transfers from one address to another $20.00
FLORALA UTILITIES
Applicant Name If a renter, Please provide a copy of lease agreement
Service Address and or E-911 Address
Mailing Address
City State Zip Phone Number
Names of all persons living at service address Social Security Number
Place of Employment
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Employer:
Contact Person who DOES NOT live with you:
Relationship:
Previous Address
I/we hereby apply for water, sewage/gas refuse from the above entities. I/We assume liability for all
service rendered at the above service address. I/We understand and agree to the account payment
requirement and service disconnection regulations of the Department or agencies thereof.
Bill is due upon receipt and delinquent after the tenth of the month. Service will be discontinued if not paid
by the twentieth of the month and turn on/reconnect fee will be charged and due immediately upon
service being reestablished. Current turn on fee reconnect fee is subject to change during the duration of this agreement.
I/We agree that if I/ We owe said department or agencies thereof any monies for any reason at the termination of services either voluntarily or involuntarily the sad Agency or Agencies of the aforementioned may first apply all of my deposit /deposit to my outstanding debts owed for any of the above services. The application of the deposit will not eliminate my/our debts unless the deposit pays them in full. Should any deposit money remain after the debt is paid in full, said remainder will be refunded to me/us the following week after termination of services and I/We agree to provide sufficient forwarding information. Should forwarding information not be provided then money due me/us will be retained in the office of said Agency and then forwarded to the State of Alabama State Treasure of Unclaimed Property after twelve months retention. Should the said debt not be paid in full after the application of deposit I/We agree to pay said debt including the cost, collection attorney fees and court cost if such be necessary.
Date Applicant Signature
Clerk Applicant Signature
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