HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2019 Special Budget Work Session Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA ) (
COUNTY OF BALDWIN ) (
The City Council met in a Special Budget Work Session
at 5:00 p.m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber,
161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532,
on Monday, 7 October 2019.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Jay Robinson, Jimmy
Conyers, Robert Brown, and Kevin Boone (arrived at 5:12 p.m.), Mayor Karin
Wilson, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Mayor
Karin Wilson was absent.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
The following topics were discussed:
Council President Burrell stated the land purchase at County Road 32 and County
Road 13 will be happening be the end of November. He said the Volanta
improvements and the land purchase will be without the City going into debt.
Councilmember Brown handed out and explained actual revenues and expenses; and
the trend over the years. Revenues were questioned by the City Council and they
asked for these to be reduced back to $30 million pursuant to the last "Budget"
meeting on September 30, 2019. Councilmembers Robinson and Conyers both
agreed if we spent money and not enough to cover expenditures we would be in
trouble. Council President Burrell commented we scheduled debt payments and
accelerated to payoff debt, so we should have approximately $3.6 million this year to
spend on capital purchases.
Councilmember Brown questioned the increase in lodging tax. Mayor Wilson stated
she put an increase of 1 percent for lodging tax. Councilmember Robinson stated if
we don't cut what we need, may cut additional staff. Council President Burrell
commented personnel has increased vastly over the last few years.
City Treasurer Kim Creech explained the attached documents; and suggested a line
of credit. Council President Burrell mentioned the AMEA equalization should be
around $500,000.00 and the next year even more. He said the forecast from AMEA
for five years is significant; and beyond 2025 looks even better. The $3.0 million
Gas Reserve transferred to Electric Fund was questioned by Councilmember Brown.
Council President Burrell said we need to look at salaries; and told Finance Director
Jill Cabaniss and City Staff they did a good job with budget.
Council President Burrell stated there will be a resolution on the October 28, 2019
agenda authorizing the expenditures for the purchase of the 113 acres for recreation
park lands. Councilmember Brown commented he was not sure about adding fields
at Volanta Park. Councilmember Robinson replied we need four fields immediately;
and take time and look at land at County Road 32 and County Road 13.