Council approves 2015-2016 budget

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With a few amendments, the council approved the 2016 fiscal year budget, which begins Oct. 1.

The total expenditures for the city will be about $57 million, with the expectation to end with a surplus. The capital projects fund, originally $4.8 million during the mayor's presentation in August, was increased to account for the 18th Street revitalization project. The council decided to increase its cost of living adjustment for employees as well, from 1 percent to 1.5 percent.

“This was a really tough thing to look at. Obviously we wanted to do more,” Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones said.

An extra $250,000 was added to the 4 and 5-cent gas tax to continue more paving projects, and more funding was also approved for the arts advisory board and ClasTran. These increases were offset because the city did not receive a SAFER grant for new fire equipment, and the council decided to remove from the budget the $1.2 million they would have provided in matching funds.

More details on this year's budget can be found in our reporting of the original budget presentation.

Other council actions included:

  • Approving tiered bonuses for city employees, starting with a $350 net bonus for one to three-year employees and increasing to $2,000 for employees who have worked there 20 years or more. The bonuses do not affect employees' retirement pay.
  • Approving road closures on Oak Grove Road on Oct. 23, from 4 to 10 p.m., for a party celebrating completion of the paving and other improvements along that road.
  • Approving a new stop sign at the intersection of Ascott Road and LaPrado Circle.
  • Setting three public hearings on Oct. 12 for sign variances at 3450 Manor Drive (Mayfair Apartments), 801 Green Springs Hwy. (The Baskits) and 3551 Montgomery Hwy. (Shades Valley YMCA).
  • Setting a public hearing on Oct. 12 for a front yard fence variance at Big #1 Motorsports, 505 Cobb St.
  • Setting a bid opening date for Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. for police department uniforms
  • Approving a sign variance allowing Brookwood Village to place up to six signs on its retaining wall to identify future tenants. The signs are limited to 4.5 feet in height, a uniform bronze color and one of five fonts approved by the mall.
  • Approving a sign variance for H&R Block at 1934 28th Ave. S., allowing them a larger sign now that the business has expanded into the neighboring suite.
  • Approving use of up to $1,000 of the current fiscal year budget to become a fan guide sponsor for the 2015 Birmingham Bowl in December.
  • Approving a fund transfer of up to $500,000 out of the capital projects fund for the current year.
  • Approving the sale as surplus of two refuse trucks and a clam shell truck.

Meredith Drennen of the Chamber of Commerce also announced that the annual golf classic, one of the biggest chamber fundraisers, will be Oct. 8 at Oxmoor Valley golf course. After the meeting, Ward 2 Representative Vance Moody said the council is preparing to look at the two bids received for the vacant lot neighboring Patriot Park.

The next council meeting is Oct. 12