The Vidalia Board of Aldermen approved the refinancing of bonds at Tuesday’s meeting.

The bonds, which will be bought by Concordia Bank and Trust Company, were refinanced at a lower interest rate, saving the city a total of $192,000, city attorney Jack McLemore said. The city will sell the existing bonds and buy new ones with a lower interest rate, he said.

An ordinance drawn up by a New Orleans firm and passed by the board Tuesday allowed this, McLemore said.

Before the board voted, there was a public hearing. No audience member voiced comments or questions.

The sale of the bonds will take place Jan. 9.

Alderman Jon Betts voiced his approval.

“By Concordia Bank doing what they’ve done, it shows they’re truly interested in our town, and it will save us money,” Betts said.

Also at the meeting, McLemore presented a sample contract that the city might require potential firefighters and police officers to sign before they can be hired.

The contracts require such an employee to compensate the city for the cost of basic training, equipment, uniforms and additional training if he leaves the city within two years.

“What we’ve had is a fair amount of our young people use us for training and then leave,” McLemore said. “We are considering this to keep our people from walking away.”

Mayor Hyram Copeland said several towns around the state use such a contract and that he thought the contract was fair.

Police Chief Billy Hammers said it cost hundreds of dollars to train a police officer.

“But the uniform’s the main thing — they get expensive,” Hammers said.

Copeland said the board would look over the contract and consider adopting the practice at the next meeting.

The board also accepted a bid for an accelerator tank, a device necessary to the water treatment plant, for $142,750 from Quality Tank. It was the only bid submitted.