Fort Payne Passes $29M Budget

Fort Payne Passes $29M Budget

Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch. com

FORT PAYNE, ALA. --(Full Video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Fort Payne City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 6. 

The Council passed the FY2023 budget of  $29M which includes a 2-step raise for all city employees and a CDL driver pay increase that went into effect last month. 

According to City Treasurer Grant Ledbetter, the City is saving 1.2 Million (mimimum) this year in order to save for future projects and grant matching money. 

Since the Council has a surplus due to  increasing  tax revenues, Councilmember John Smith requested that a one-time appropriation be made to give $50,000 to the Fort Payne School System.  This money would go toward helping families with school supplies.  The item was tabled until the next work session. 

Mayor Brian Bain proclaimed the week of September 17-23 Consitution Week in the City of Fort Payne. 

Bain also announced that Boom Days will begin on Friday, September 16 with a variety of bands playing starting at 6 p.m at the Main Stage in downtown Fort Payne.  On Saturday, Boom Days festivities will begin from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., with street vendors on Gault Avenue.  At 3:00 p.m. the Locals will begin playing at the Main Stage followed by Wildwood, Billy Dean, and Joe Nichols.

Larue Hardinger, on behalf of the Marine Corp League, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Mayor and Council for their continued support of them and their efforts. 

“For nine Toys for Tots campaigns, the City of Fort Payne has provided space for our volunteers to store, sort, and bag toys for needy children; and we want each of you to know how much we appreciate you” stated Larue Hardinger. 

Toys for Tots were able to provide 10,869 new Christmas toys, books, and stocking stuffers for 1,459 children last year.  Applications will be accepted in October at the DeKalb County Department of Human Resources, in Fort Payne, for this Christmas. 

In other business, the Council:

• Passed Resolution 2022-30, which accepted the lowest qualified bid for sewer piping for the Airport Road sewer rehabilitation project. James Payton, of Ladd Environmental, reviewed the bids and recommends the low bidder, Fergurson Waterworks,  be awarded the bid.

• The Council tabled the contract with Warner for the Sports Complex renovation and the purchasing of lighting from Musco for the baseball and softball fields for the Sports Complex renovation project until a contract and pricing were completed.  The estimated cost of the entire project is $1.1 million. The soccer fields were able to be lighted by repurposing some of the lights and poles previously purchased for the new complex site.

• The Council approved contracting with Van Scoyoc Associates in Washington DC for grant consulting and procurement services with an estimated cost of $150,000 per year.

• Gave an appropriation to the Patriots Park from the money that DC Gas gave to the City. The City will also purchase an  ice chest for use at the City functions.

The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on September 20, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

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