Anniston, AL – In a called meeting on February 27th, the Anniston City Council convened to vote on the approval of the Chief Ladiga Trail project, a significant undertaking that has sparked debates and concerns among council members in recent weeks.
The meeting was called following the last work session where council members raised apprehensions about the escalating budget for the Chief Ladiga Trail, which had surpassed the original estimate by several million dollars. Despite the contentious discussions, the project ultimately received approval, though the decision was not unanimous. Councilwoman Smith cast the sole nay vote.
The council awarded the contract for the Chief Ladiga Trail project to B&B Developers in the amount of $7,267,263.39. This decision was reached after careful consideration of the proposed cost-saving measures introduced by Councilman Jay Jenkins, which passed unanimously among council members. These measures are expected to trim the trail budget by $669,000.
Councilwoman Smith voiced her reservations about the project, emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility. She stated, “My reservations are purely based on fiscal responsibility, and I don’t think this is being fiscally responsible. I can’t support something like this knowing that it potentially could put the city at fiscal risk, that we could possibly have to cut budgets and departments.”
In response to the concerns raised by Councilwoman Smith and others, Mayor Jack Draper expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by both Councilwoman Smith and Councilman Jenkins. They had met with the engineering firm and the city engineer the previous Wednesday to explore possible cost-saving measures.
Mayor Draper acknowledged the expensive nature of the Chief Ladiga Trail project but emphasized his belief that the city’s future economic development hinges on its completion. He stated, “I understand what the concerns are; I really do. This is incredibly expensive, I get that. At the same time, I believe that the city’s future economic development is contingent upon the completion of this trail.” He went on to explain his vision of the trail as a catalyst for boosting Anniston’s business activity and generating additional tax revenue.
Furthermore, Mayor Draper expressed hope that the city would not bear the entire financial burden, as efforts would continue to secure funding from state and federal resources. The completion of the Chief Ladiga Trail is seen as a vital investment in the city’s future, balancing economic growth with the need for fiscal responsibility.
