Though the city of Valley Grande plans to move forward with the Overlook Hills sewer project, Mayor Tom Lee expressed to the Valley Grande City Council a small detour in the plan.

Though all paper work is complete and the city will close on the transfer of the property this week, Lee said he decided to not make any additional moves until a collection system is first established for residents.

“It’s still undecided as to whether those residents will make the January payment to CMC, the original owner, and whether they (CMC) would forward that back — that will be in the final legal details,” Lee said. “Since we’re going to wind up being this much into a new month, the legal requirement for this purchase … dictates that they have to furnish us with all of their billing records …”

The city, Lee said, will set up a small sewer billing company to build on a flat rate for residents the first month or until a business practice is established.

“It will give us the rest of this month to go through the records that they’ve (CMC) generated up to now and find out what (the) addresses are,” Lee said. “It will not require any outside participation … it will be a very simple, smooth transition from the other company into the city as far as administration of the sewer system.”

Council Members Steven Neighbors and Patsy Moore also discussed their preparation for the upcoming sports season and Founder’s Day, set for May 12.

Lee said he would make a proposal and share some quotes with the council at its next meeting Jan. 17, concerning the possibility of building a concession structure and restrooms at the ball fields from the “parks and recreation” budget.

“I’ve gotten some prices in … and depending on what the prices look like, what the cost is, tells us whether or not we can do it or whether it has to be a non public works project,” Lee said. “I’m collecting quotes to see exactly what we think it could cost if we subcontract it out …”