Mayor delivers State of the City Address
The state of Homewood is excellent and getting stronger, Mayor Scott McBrayer stated during his annual State of the City address on Jan. 20. McBrayer delivered the speech during the Homewood Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at The Club.
As a part of the talk, McBrayer recognized the work of the police and fire departments.
“I wish you could hear some of the calls they go on,” he said. “They are not easy jobs.”
The only police incident to increase last year were vehicle break-ins, which McBrayer said can be reduced if people lock their doors. He also highlighted an increase in the number of vehicles stopped in 2014. In total, 16,492 vehicles were stopped, 11,212 citations were made and 750 felons were arrested.
The fire department had a record busy year, but the number of structure fires were down.
McBrayer also announced that the city finished out the last fiscal year with a surplus. This is the city’s sixth year to do so, with an average of a $958,782 surplus each year.
“The council has always trusted my budget, and we work hard to make sure they can trust it,” McBrayer said.
In FY 2014, the city thought it might have to use $1.5 million from a carryover fund, but in the end they did not have to utilize it. The city awarded $350,000 in employee bonuses before ending the year with a surplus of $410,000.
“That’s good business and a good use of taxpayer money,” McBrayer said of the bonuses, which he feels are important to recognize how the city staff finds new and better ways to do things.
Also during the luncheon, Chamber President Merrick Wilson introduced new Chamber Director Meredith Drennen, and the following city awards were given:
- Firefighter of the Year: Lt. Robert Harris
- Police Officer of the Year: Trent Rickets
- City Employee of the Year: Rick Addington, Department of Planning, Engineering and Zoning