TIFTON — Tifton City Council has made purchases for the public works department and in preparation for Christmas.

City Council members unanimously agreed to purchase new Christmas decorations and a replacement bucket truck as part of the consent agenda during the Aug. 21 meeting.

During the council’s Aug. 7 meeting, Main Street Manager Hillery Culpepper requested the purchase of new Christmas decorations, saying it is pertinent to maintaining holiday tourism and the downtown community. The city’s current inventory of decorations are close to 20 years old.

With an investment of $150,000, new additions to the city’s decorations, such as street pole banners for Downtown Tifton, a photo booth and array of Christmas lights at Fulwood Park and additional lights for each city department building are expected to be integrated into Tifton’s holiday celebration during the next few years.

The bucket truck purchase was also discussed at the meeting earlier in the month, as Jeff West, public works director, requested a replacement for his department’s severely worn-down current model.

While the purchase of $214,750 will be slightly higher than the city’s budget of $210,000, West said he was certain the city would be able to stomach the expense after saving $30,000 on a previously bought boom mower.

The truck is anticipated to be delivered sometime in late 2024.