The council approved a budget estimating revenues for FY 2010 at $4,014,000 and expenditures at $3,988,939. Mayor B.J. Meeks said amendments might have to be made to the budget, but that the council would be able to meet at the six-month mark to discuss making any major changes needed based on the unpredictable economy facing the country at this time.
Meeks also said the next financial statement the council receives should reflect the new budget.
While the mayor said the police department is usually difficult to budget for, and the added complication of switching to a 911 office did not help, the council seemed willing to go ahead with the numbers it currently has and deal with further issues as they come up or at the six-month update meeting. Councilwoman Bonnie Carter made the motion to accept the numbers discussed during Tuesday’s meeting, with Councilmen Jimmy Payne and Billy Lester voting to consider the budget at that night’s meeting. The budget passed with a unanimous vote of 6-0.
A discussion during Tuesday’s meeting that did not go as smoothly involved voting to approve paying $4,000 for Phase 1 of the fencing at the Childersburg Kiwanis Park.
While Councilwoman Michele Mizzell voted to approve the purchase, Councilman Charles Reynolds said this was the first thing he had heard concerning the issue and Meeks said he was not sure the council could make a donation to the Kiwanis Club.
He said there was money in an account for capital improvements, but now that the fence is already being placed, he is unsure how the council could go about paying for its share of the work without it being viewed as a donation to the Kiwanis Club.
Childersburg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Pete Storey said the next phase would be to place more swings and picnic tables and install some more lighting in the park. Although he said the bids on the lighting have been high, so the club is researching other companies who could provide less expensive, quality work.
Meeks said he was in favor of buying a piece of equipment for the park, but there should have been pre-approval for a purchase order on the fencing.
Mizzell’s motion died for lack of a second and the matter was dropped until the town meeting after official council business was completed.
Storey then addressed the council again to try to figure out how the members and the Kiwanis Club could work together on the park.
“I would respectfully ask you to reconsider the fence,” Storey said. “It is already a nice park and the children are playing on it daily. We needed the fence to keep them out of the road. The mayor told me to go ahead and do it and he never said to get a purchase order.”
Meeks said he only remembered saying he would consider purchasing the fence, but if he said the council would purchase it, that was a misunderstanding and he was not sure the council could make a donation. He also held that he had asked for a purchase order.
Lester said the last he had heard about the issue was that the club was discussing what type of fencing to use.
Also during the meeting, the council:
• Approved the evening’s agenda.
• Approved the minutes from its Oct. 13 meeting.
• Heard a report from Keith Strickland of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood concerning road projects that would intersect with railroads in the city.
• Approved an insurance liability proposal presented by Vicky Morris.
• Approved travel and training items for the mayor, council members and clerk to attend meetings in Anniston and Birmingham.
• Approved additional tree removal costs of $730 paid to Bruce Walker of Bruce’s Tree Service.
• Approved hiring a temporary building inspector.
• Approved additional days for Thanksgiving and Christmas – Friday, Nov. 27, and Thursday, Dec. 24.
• Approved document imaging updates for minutes, resolutions and ordinances from 2005-2008 for $2,500.
• Approved an annual maintenance contract for a new LEX 3260 copier for administration at a cost of $240.
• Made various appointments including Jeremy Putman to the Parks and Recreation Board, Willie J. “Bill” Ham to the Cheaha Mental Health Board, Councilman Payne to the Waterworks, Sewer and Gas Board and to allow Morgan Arnold to receive full duty pay while attending a Haz-Mat Response Team exercise in Kentucky.
• Heard from citizens concerning roads that need paving, a condemned house the owner is trying to sell and plans to decorate for Hometown Holly Days Nov. 6, 7 and 8.
• Approved allowing Meeks to negotiate the contract with 911.
Post a Comment
