By Sandra F. Beckard, Speakin’ Out News senior staff writer
water rates and sanitation during last Thursday’s council meeting
On Thursday, September 21, the city’s Department Heads presented the cost of what it would take to continue to run the city, including Capital Improvement Funds. There were PowerPoint presentations with pie charts and graphs showing current revenues and expenditures and projected revenues and expenses. The sixty-eight-page presentation is avail-able on the City of Huntsville’s website for anyone who wants to see the actual figures and charts
before the Council votes to accept the proposed budget with or without changes on Thursday, September 26.The Councilman Meredith needed clarification on some of the items.Penny L. Smith, Director of Finance, fielded questions regarding a 5% and2% COLA for city workers.There were rumors about who would get the higher percentage and who would not. After Smith answered all questions, the Council was in agreement.
Shane Davis, Director of Urban & Economic Development, fielded questions about sanitation. Council- man Keith raised the question regarding trash pick- up in District 1. Garbage is picked up once a week, but sometimes trash is left for weeks. Davis stated that there are a lot of illegal trash dumps all over the city and at times, the Clean Community Department requests assistance for help with large dumps because they don’t have the large trucks to clear an area and this would cause a delay in picking up trash. Also, with the city growing so fast, routes sometimes must be redirected to accommodate these new areas until the city fleet is increased.
Councilman Kling mentioned that water rates were raised, and there is the possibility that electric rates will increase too; however there should not be a raise in the sanitation rate.
Councilman Keith noted that there should be a review of the salary grade for entry-level workers.
John Hamilton, City Administrator, fielded questions regarding Street Sweepers for each district, which each Council Member agreed is needed. Councilman Kling mentioned that he knew a company that could provide ten sweepers in about sixty days. Hamilton noted that it has to be determined the type of sweeper(s) needed in each district (vacuum or brushes) and bids go out before any purchases can be made, and once deter- mined, each district would get two sweepers.
Councilman Keith noted that Zip Code 35810 has the most rental homes in the city and that the city should talk to the owners to make sure their property is kept up to standard.
