SOUTH POINT — The South Point Village Council moved on Tuesday to create two new funds for village project, Mayor Jeff Gaskin said.

The first is for a new lift station, located on Collin Avenue.

The second, the specific purpose to be determined, will include $1,300 the village received from the opioid settlement.

Gaskin said that fund must be used for something relating to the opioid epidemic.

In other business, the council:

• Held a discussion, from parents in the community, on police officers used by the South Point School District. 

On March 1, South Point Local Schools decided to begin using the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office for officers. Prior to that, they had been using two village officers. The sheriff’s office has hired those officers to use in South Point schools.

Gaskin said, as a result, the village police department is now understaffed at five officers. He said they are in the process of hiring one, who is about to finish at the academy.

• Signed a lease agreement for a new fire truck for the village. Gaskin said the truck is expected to arrive in about in about a month.

• Heard a discussion from the public on the site of the former South Point Elementary School. The council voted last month for a variance to allow a health spa to go into that building. Gaskin said no action was taken.

• Met in executive session on potential legal issues.

• Gaskin discussed the need for a new lift station for the sewer department.

He said the village initially expected the problems, such as collapsed lines and a caved in manhole, would cost $1.2 million.

The total cost for the project came in at $877,000. And, since the area impacted included an incoming physical rehabilitation hospital, the village was able to get a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for $646,000, reducing the village’s cost to $251,000.

“We fixed our problems and we’re ready for expansion,” Gaskin said. “And we brought 150 jobs.”