The City of Blue Ridge opted to stay in their contract with 4-V Ranch after renegotiating Monday, September 14.
The new deal includes services for eight months out of the year, and will only require the city to pay for those months of service instead of paying for the entire 12 months.
“We will pay Roland (4-V Ranch founder) only for the eight months he works,” Councilwoman Rhonda Haight said. “His payments will be over a 12 month pay period. If we need his services during the months of November, December, January or February, the department head will notify the council, and a decision can be made based on the amount of the project.”
In a September 8 council meeting, members voted, with Mike Panter and Robbie Cornelius opposing, to renegotiate the contract in order to meet the terms the council had originally agreed to.
If that was not possible, the contract was to be terminated immediately.
Council members Haight, Nathan Fitts and Harold Herndon all agreed that the cost of services was only supposed to be paid for the months the company actually worked; however, that was not the case for the contract that was signed by Mayor Donna Whitener.