Emily Featherston
The Vestavia Hills City Council approved the the budget for the 2017 fiscal year Monday night, along with the contracts for several public services.
City Manager Jeff Downes presented the budget on Aug. 22, but the council postponed a vote to allow for a work session with the council-elect.
The coming year's budget is roughly 3.9 percent larger than the 2016 budget, with a $1,386,727 increase in budgeted revenues.
At the work session on Aug. 29, Downes attributed the increase to a significant amount of commercial construction, as well as a few new major retail businesses and restaurants.
At Monday's meeting, Downes thanked Finance Director Melvin Turner and Assistant Finance Director George Sawaya, as well as the city's department heads for their work on the budget.
Vestavia resident David Harwell addressed the council during the public hearing, expressing his concern for the city's level of debt. He said that while he thinks it's great that the city has a high credit rating, he thinks the city should attempt to pay for more things in cash.
Mayor Butch Zaragoza said that many of the services and facilities that citizens want would be impossible without debt, and that the city works hard to maintain its credit ratings and borrow responsibly.
In addition to the overall budget, the council approved several contracts for public services.
The city awarded contracts for both right of way mowing and facility landscaping to NatureScape. Place 3 Councilor John Henley expressed concern over whether or not one company could handle the workload of both contracts, but Public Services Director Brian Davis said he had interviewed them and that the company was confident they have the ability.
Davis added that taking on a contractor in this way would free up public works employees to respond to requests on the city's Action Center in a more timely fashion.
The council approved a contract with Knox Pest Control for pest control in all city buildings. Before, pest control services were rendered by multiple companies, but Downes said the consolidation will save around $3,000.
The city's contract with Republic Services for waste and recycling disposal was extended, with a $19.62 increase per household. The city attempted to put the waste contract out for bid, but because bidders requested more time, they invoked the state's emergency allowance to extend the contract for one year.
Finally, the council approved a three-year residential resurfacing contract with Dunn Construction Company. After a recent study found that roughly 30 miles of residential roads are in need of significant repair, Downes said that the council's approval of the contract was very timely.
Other Business Included:
- The elections of Ashley Curry, Rusty Weaver, Kimberly Cook, Paul Head and George Pierce were certified.
- The council approved a change-order for pipeline work at Meadowlawn Park.
- The council passed a measure that would increase permit fees and bond requirements for utility cuts in city streets.
- An alcohol license for the Rocky Ridge Road Chevron was approved.
- The council voted to declare certain radar equipment as surplus, in order for it to be donated to the Childersburg Police Department.
- A recommitment to continue providing the Ad-Valorem tax to city schools was made.
- The council voted to appropriate $20,001 to the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest for a craft equipment, to be reimbursed by a grant.
