RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jackson Council passes budget for new fiscal year For the first time ever, the city of Jackson passed a budget of nearly $7 million during Tuesday's council meeting. "This is the first year the city's budget will probably exceed $7 million," said Mayor Richard Long. "We will give employees a 4 percent increase, raising the minimum wage for city workers to $10 an hour." The lowest paid city employees currently make $8 per hour. Each council member praised the decision to increase wages. "We are fortunate to be able to give an increase in pay to city employees each year," said Councilman Robert Marks. "They certainly deserve it." Councilman Paul South echoed Marks' remarks. "The city's employees make our city. Everything (all the work) you see done on our streets is done thanks to their efforts." Councilman Eddie Huggins said, "I think this raise will help us remain competitive with ThyssenKrupp and other businesses locating to the area." "The council did an excellent job spending and conserving money when needed," said Mayor Long. "They should be recognized for their efforts." At the end of the meeting the council received additional praise from Jackson Police Officer Norman "Buzzy" Jordan who has worked for the department for several years. "I have received a raise every year since I've been here," he said. "For eight years, while I was employed as a Mobile police officer, we received only one raise that was a little over 2 percent. That says a lot for Jackson." More new business coming to Jackson During his comments to the council, Mayor Richard Long reported that Aaron's Rent-All would be opening one of its stores in the city. The new business will be located on the north side of the Social Security office on Highway 43 across from Wal- Mart. Aaron's Rent-All is a rent-toown store that offers items ranging from electronics to furniture. It has locations all over the eastern U.S. *Long also gave an update on economic development currently taking place in Jackson. "Work continues on the Sonic Restaurant and the Clarke- Mobile Gas office complex. Final inspection will be conducted next week on the Jackson Police Department complex. There are other investments in the works that will be announced later." *The mayor reported that he recently attended a meeting of the Alabama Rural Action Committee and the kickoff meeting will be conducted in October depending on Gov. Bob Riley's schedule. *Long said Ralph Hobbs, the city's hospital consultant, met with Jackson Medical Center owner Gil McKenzie recently. "I will meet with Ralph and Gil this week to discuss the direction that will be taken to determine investor interest in a new hospital." *On behalf of the council, the mayor thanked the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce for an excellent annual meeting. "Thanks to Betty Powell and the city's staff for coordinating the dinner," he said. "We look forward to working with the chamber board, new president Marty Parker and executive director LaShaunda Holly." Police chief's report Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge reported that the department's investigator Richard Harvey had returned to work following a week of vacation and a week of training, during which he completed a Computer Voice Analyzer class. "Det. Harvey is now certified to use this system, which operates similar to a liedetector," said Burge." The chief also said it would be a matter of days until the department was ready to move into the new police station located next to city hall. "Sgt. Mark Harrell and I toured Monroeville's new police station last week and I can honestly say I believe we have the better facility," he said. "I would like, once again, to thank the council for approving the new station. We will have a fulltime maintenance person on staff when we move, which will be an asset to the department. Today (Tuesday) Chief (Neal) Bradley assisted us in hooking up a temporary radio system to use until our permanent system is in place and operational." "I would also like to thank the citizens of Jackson who pay taxes in the city, which also made this possible," he added. In other business: *The council approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the $1.5 million principal amount of general obligation warrants for the New Era Cap Company expansion project. *A street light was approved for Woodland Drive. *A one time bonus for city retirees was approved by the council, in accordance with a resolution recently passed by the state of Alabama. Cost to the city will be approximately $6,600. *Council members agreed to amend the 2007 budget, giving the mayor the authority to close out and transfer any excess money into a capital account. *A resolution was approved to apply for a $25,000 grant through the Alabama Department of Economic Affairs (ADECA) for equipment for the Jackson Police Department. The grant, if received, will require a 10 percent match ($2,500) by the city. *Councilman Huggins said the fields at North Jackson Park had been cut, over-seeded and prepared for next year's Little League Baseball season. He also said the efforts to receive outside funding for the CSI after school study program looks promising. He added that the test results showed that a majority of students participating in the program significantly raised their SAT scores. *C.J. Arnold of Clarke-Mobile Counties Gas District reported that work on the new building was progressing. He said talks with Thyssen- Krupp on supplying gas for its new steel plant have been positive. "We are also closing out the year on deals we have on providing gas supply for companies," he added. "These deals allow us to experience capital growth and maintain low rates for our customers. We have some of the lowest rates in the state. We appreciate the council's support." *Jettie Johnson, who lives on East Front Street, told the council of a problem with stray dogs in the area. She said Animal Control Officer Lee Hutto has been working to address the problem. "I don't know if these dogs are being dumped there or what, but there seems to be an abundance of them," she said. "I don't know what it will take to make people understand they need to take care of their dogs." *Fire Chief Bradley announced Fire Prevention Week for Oct. 8-13. *A council work session concerning the capital budget is scheduled for Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Jackson City Council will be Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
