Weaver, AL – The city council of Weaver held a special called work session to work on the proposed budget that would go into effect October 1st. Terri Summerlin was present since she will be sworn in on September 30th. Also present were current Mayor, Wayne Willis, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Clendenning, and council members Tim McRae, Clint Burns, Cathy Hamby, and Nick Bowles. Department heads were present as well.
One matter discussed prior to starting the budget discussions, was if the city wanted to join the 3M and DuPont civil case. While no vote was taken, the general consensus was to participate in the civil suit.
It was brought up that one of the largest new bills for this coming budget year would be the 911 and radio fees. These will be present for the next seven years to stay on the 911 system of Calhoun County. As discussed in previous meetings, the cost to have a stand alone system far exceeds to cost to participate with the Calhoun County 911 system. It also prevents maintenance costs.
Budget and Zoning: There were only two notable changes from last years budget. Under dues and subscriptions one of the major services is no longer needed and was replaced with a $25 a month fee and the abatements were moved to a separate line item totaling $2,000.
Civil Service Board: There were no changes from the previous year.
Cultural Arts: There were no changes from the previous year.
Elected Officials: There were no changes from the previous year.
Fire: The cost of gas and oil has increased so the budget was increased to compensate for that expense. The radio fees and network upgrades are also reflected and these are new charges. This is for a seven year agreement with the Calhoun County 911 board. Weaver currently has around 40 radios and 29 of those are for the fire department. Councilman Tim McRae proposed a $10 incentive per call to active responders. All Weaver fireman and women are volunteer including the Chief Brian Bunn. While the chief is provided a car, the other members use their own transportation and gas to respond to calls. There was a debate if this is allowed with a volunteer fire department. After review of the requirements, it was decided to make this available with a $600 a year cap per responder. The Chief would not receive the incentive pay. Any funds leftover at the end of the year would be rolled over for use on equipment.
General: The largest increase was for a $36,000 to cover an IT maintenance agreement and a $20,000 lump sum amount to cover a server and IT upgrade. The current server is over a decade old and is not backed-up offsite. The police Chief also noted that he will have to do upgrades in this area, too, due to requirements of the new radio system that requires fiber. The cost will be $600 a month, but for $1,200 a month this could be expanded to include all city buildings and provide WiFi in the park as well. It will increase the security and eliminate the current system of four individual internet accounts at various locations. These two upgrades will help ensure a more consistent and reliable system for all city services.
Historical: There were no changes from the previous year.
Parks: There were very few changes, but there was an increase of $500 to cover any splash pad expenses.
Police: It was noted that the current proposed budget does not include a new officer, but if that was the direction the council wanted to go in that cost would be $50,000. The main increases were due to radio fees and increased fuel costs. Councilman Clendenning stated he would really like to hire a new officer so there was more flexibility to have a more regular presence at the schools. It was stressed that this was not to replace the SRO from the Sheriff’s Department. This was just to have additional presence when the SRO wasn’t able to be there. Chief Bush stated that he operates with a skeleton crew that is working 24/7, so an additional officer would help, but that it doesn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be additional needs or changes in numbers over the course of the year.
Sanitation: There were no major changes from the previous year other the the increase that was already voted on due to the cost to the city increase. It was noted that the city would no longer offer a second can at a discounted rate became the city is charged full price for each can.
Senior Center: There were no changes from the previous year.
Street Department: The only increase was to match current fuel and oil costs.
Gas Tax Fund: City vehicles are currently being charged tax due to an error at the BearCat station. A decision was made to not use that station until the issues was resolved on their end. Diesel will still be purchased there as there is no tax on that type of gas. Instead of a standard rotation, all vehicles can now be filled at Buckhorn Express and J&M. Once Bearcat has resolved their issue they will be used as well.
Water: There will be potential increased expenses as ADEM makes changes. There was also a significant increase in maintenance costs to keep the older vehicles in operating condition. It was noted that the second CARES money can be used on vehicles, and that may be an option to do some upgrades at a later date.
Additional Items/Proposed Changes: Due to the addition of a new officer being added to the budget for $50,000 and the $10,ooo budget item to cover fire fighter incentive monies, it is necessary to make some changes to keep the budget balanced.
- From General it was proposed to cut Expenses by $5,000.
- From Parks it was proposed to cut Large Expenses by $5,000.
- Under Capital Expenses from Parks it was proposed to cut $5,000.
Another budgetary item brought up was a COLA (cost of living adjustment) increase. Currently the budget has a 1% increase accounted for, but Councilman Clendenning suggested an additional 1% increase. To adjust for that increase the following budget changes were proposed.
- From Water – Miscellaneous Expenses it was proposed to cut $5,000.
- From Water Lines it was proposed to cut $10,000 because this account hasn’t been used since 2012.
These changes allow for the discussed changes and keep the budget balanced. There was no further discussion and the council has asked that the budget will be added to the next regularly scheduled city council for a vote.
