It looks like a regular recycling program is returning to Shelby County.

At last night's Center City Council meeting the governing body executed an agreement allowing the city to obtain grant funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality toward the purchase of a recycling program truck to once again allow for the recycling trailer units to resume in downtown Center and the county.

City Manager Chad Nehring said the grant will provide a vehicle for transportation of the collected materials to Shreveport as the trailer is filled. He added in order to obtain the grant and reinstitute the service for the region, the city of Center had to gain the participation of other area partners and incorporate other regional activities.

Nehring said the cities of Timpson, Tenaha and Joaquin, as well as Shelby County agreed to assist with the local matching funds for this two-year project and to host the trailer on a couple of occasions during the project period.

He said the recycling trailer will be back on the Center square soon.

Center City Council also approved a resolution for preliminary design and Texas Parks & Wildlife Grant application preparation. Nehring said there is not current project ready to submit, but added the city staff has been working with a potential corporate donor for a significant portion of the local cash match.

The donation is tied to expanding the current Mini Park with some specific and "named" amenities.

In addition, Center City Council gave approval for purchase of a 2009 vacuum/Hydro Excavation Truck that is used to clean water plant sludge basins and man holes among other uses for $101,000. New units run in excess of $300,000, according to Nehring.