By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff

PICKENS — At Monday night’s meeting of Pickens City Council, Councilman Fletcher Perry was elected by his fellow council members as Mayor Pro Tem.

Perry replaces Council member Patrick Lark, who had served the maximum two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. Fletcher was nominated by Council member Isaiah Scipio. Lark seconded the nomination. Council approved the motion 5-0, with Perry choosing not to vote.

Council also approved accepting $30,000 from the Shady Grove Fire District in exchange for the city fire department serving as back-up for the local district, allowing the district to keep its low ISO rating. The funds have been earmarked for the purchase of new equipment for the fire department. A second agreement was approved to provide fire service for the Pickens Rural Fire Department from July 1, 2014, through Dec. 31.

Council members assumed new committee chairs for the new year. Reports were given for the Parks & Recreation, chaired by Council member Carlton Holley; Planning/PRA, chaired by Lark; Finance, chaired by Council member Patti Welborn; Public Works and Utilities, chaired by Scipio; Police and Fire, chaired by Perry; and Picken Senior Citizens, chaired by Councilman Donnie McKinney.