ANNISTON, AL — The Anniston City Council conducted its work session and regular meeting on October 7, 2025, addressing routine business matters before concluding with an emotional tribute to two longtime council members completing their final terms.
Work Session Highlights
Financial Health Remains Strong
Garrett Williams of HHM CPAs presented the city’s fiscal year 2024 audit results, reporting an unmodified opinion—the highest level of assurance. The general fund showed a healthy balance of $20.9 million in unassigned funds, representing approximately 41% of annual expenditures or five months of operational reserves.
Williams commended the city’s accounting team for their work, noting this was “probably been the best audit” in recent years with minimal entries required. Both revenues and expenditures showed positive variances, with actual revenues exceeding budgeted amounts and expenditures coming in under budget across departments.
The city maintains a 17% reserve policy, and Williams recommended not dropping below 25% of expenditures when considering use of fund balance for special projects.
Chief Ladiga Trail Maintenance Debated
Council members engaged in extensive discussion regarding a $166,000 bid for vegetation maintenance along the Chief Ladiga Trail. Several council members questioned whether the city’s Public Works department could handle the maintenance in-house rather than contracting the work externally.
Council members expressed concern about adding ongoing maintenance costs that weren’t factored into the trail’s lifecycle planning. The discussion touched on the broader issue of Public Works capacity, particularly as the department takes on additional responsibilities while Parks and Recreation handles other duties.
Access policy regulations for the Chief Ladiga Trail were also discussed, with conversations about potential access points for businesses and the status of the Amtrak platform modification project that would allow cyclists to load bicycles on trains.
Traffic Safety Measures
Council Member Downing led discussion on revising the speed calming devices ordinance. The conversation centered on establishing clearer procedures for evaluating speed bump requests, including requiring Public Works to provide written recommendations addressing safety concerns and conducting traffic monitoring during relevant timeframes.
Council members agreed that while residents’ concerns should be heard, proper evaluation of safety factors—including road geometry, curves, and inclines—must occur before installation. Attorney input emphasized the importance of documenting safety assessments to manage municipal liability.
The council also discussed removing school zone signs from 10th Street following changes to the elementary school location.
Council Member Harrington raised concerns about an alleyway near 1 South Allen Street, requesting closure of one side and installation of stop signs due to speeding and safety issues.
Administrative Items
A planned discussion on moving electrical and building maintenance from Public Works to Parks and Recreation, and transferring all city grass cutting in the opposite direction, was removed from the agenda for further consideration.
City Council Meeting
Special Event Licenses Approved
The council conducted four public hearings and approved several alcohol and event licenses on the consent agenda:
- Special Events License for Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association’s 2025 Coldwater Fat Tire Festival at 26 W. 10th Street
- Special Events Retail Beer License for BPOE No. 189 Elks Lodge’s “Elktober Fest and Car Show” at 1019 S. Noble Street
- Bingo Permit for Elks Lodge BPOE#189
- 010-Lounge Retail Liquor-Class I license for RT Oaks LLC doing business as The Oaks at 201 Cherokee Trail
Representatives from the Elks Lodge thanked the city for its support of their charitable efforts.
City Manager Appointed
The council voted to appoint Kenneth Free as City Manager, subject to negotiation of a mutually agreeable employment agreement. The motion passed with a majority vote, with one abstention recorded. – *Full story here.*
Ordinances Receive First Reading
Two ordinances received their first reading and will require action at the next meeting:
- An ordinance amending Section 15.50(h) to remove the 10th Street Elementary School Zone
- An ordinance regulating access and connection to the Chief Ladiga Trail
Keys to the City Presented
The meeting’s centerpiece came during council comments when Mayor Ciara Smith presented ceremonial keys to the city to Council Members Millie Harris and D.D. Roberts, recognizing their years of public service.
Harris served 13 years on the council from 2012 to 2025, while Roberts completed five years from 2020 to 2025. Family members and supporters filled the chamber for the presentations.
Family Tributes
Braxton Harris, Council Member Harris’s son, reflected on watching his mother’s dedication over 13 years, noting the demanding schedule of public service—from early morning fundraisers to evening meetings—and her commitment to making informed decisions and helping place stray animals in homes throughout the community.
“Mom’s reasons for being on this city council are genuine,” he said. “She wants to make a difference, and that’s her whole driving force.”
Denzel Roberts, Council Member Roberts’s nephew, thanked the city on behalf of the family for allowing his uncle to serve as Ward 2 councilman, acknowledging the challenges faced during his tenure while maintaining composure and dedication to the position.
Mayor’s Remarks
Mayor Smith, who began his own tenure at age 21, expressed personal gratitude to both council members for their mentorship.
“What I didn’t expect, but what I was blessed with, was a team that became more than just colleagues,” Smith said. “You became mentors and you became family. You showed me what real public service looks like, not in speeches or headlines, but in hard decisions, early mornings, late nights, and in always keeping the people of Anniston first.”
Smith presented the keys as symbols that Harris and Roberts “will always have a home here” and “will forever hold a place in our hearts.”
Departing Members’ Final Remarks
Council Member Roberts addressed critics and “keyboard warriors,” defending the integrity of council members and urging residents to engage constructively rather than through character attacks.
“There’s nothing in the city of Anniston that can’t be resolved by a sitting-down conversation,” Roberts said, noting his 30 years of community service since graduating from Jacksonville State University in 1995.
He emphasized that council service isn’t about personal gain but about serving the people, closing with a pastoral message: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Council Member Harris expressed surprise at the tribute, thanking colleagues and residents while reflecting on developing “very tough skin” over 13 years of service. She encouraged incoming council members to continue moving Anniston forward.
Council Member Downing praised both departing members for their leadership during difficult decisions and their willingness to help newer members acclimate to their roles.
The ceremony concluded with Mayor Smith quoting Aristotle: “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing”—a fitting capstone to an evening honoring two public servants who chose engagement over avoidance.
The next regular council meeting will feature action on the two ordinances currently on first reading, along with continued discussions on trail maintenance and traffic safety measures.
