Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- (Full video on Southern Torch) The Fort Payne Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 7.

The Council passed Ordiances 2023-02, and 2023-04 which increased sewer rates and sanitation rates by 17%.  The Council passed a 3% in 2022, making the total increase in services 20%.

Council member John Smith voted no on the ordinances. Council member Johnny Eberhart abstained from the vote, which was neither a yes nor no vote. 

“There are several reasons I didn't vote to increase sanitation and sewer price.  Working people are struggling in today’s economy. I don't know anyone that has had a 20% increase in their family income, there's a limit to what home budgets can stand given the rate of inflation” state Council member John Smith

“I understand the cost of providing services by the City is going up but you can not discount the fact that the City is benefitting from an increase in monthly tax revenues” concluded Smith.  

Council President Walter Watson stated that “From the start, we have been told by our audits, dating back to 1996, when I was first on the Council, that we need to run these departments where the rates would support the service”.

 “ Over the years, we have noticed that we were having to take from the General fund to support the sewer and sanitation.  We want these to be self-sufficient and not have to borrow money for repairs.  We will revisit these increases.  We want to be able to provide a service to the citizens of Fort Payne” concluded Watson. 

The Council also passed Ordinance 2023-04, which amended the building and fire codes for the City of Fort Payne. 

Councilmember John Smith requested that the first $40,000 be excluded from building permits. When Council member Phillip Smith would not revise his motion to pass with those specifications, Smith voted no on that ordinance.

“Waiving the first $40,000 would help the homeowner when doing home renovations and they would not have to come buy a permit” stated Council member John Smith. 

Brian Jett, Superintendent of the Fort Payne City School system, received a $100,000 appropriation from the Council for assistance in funding various programs in the school system.

The Council passed the following Resolutions:

• 2023-02, authorizing line of credit with First State Bank. 

• 2023-03, accepting the low bid for a pool pump in the amount of $107,679.  This is a pump and filtration system for the Fort Payne City Pool.

Mayor Brian Baine gave his report of things that were happening in the City of Fort Payne. 

• In the Building Maintenance Department, crews are finishing up the bathroom and backstops at the Complex.  Lights are being installed at the Fort Payne City Jail.  Bricks at the Alabama Walking Park are delivered and work will soon begin on the fence at the park. 

• The Street Department is straightening out the road at Glenwood Cemetery to make it easier to exit the Cemetery.  The Street Department has also scored the pavement on Grand and 5th Avenue to aid in traction.  

• Parks and Recreation crews are working on the fields at the Complex.  Lighting will begin on Monday, weather permitting.  The Recreation Department has reported that membership has increased by over 900 at the Willis Valley Rec Center.

• G-Tech has been contracted to do studies, in compliance with ADEM, at the Old Hospital Site.  They will monitor the site due to contamination suspected to be caused by oil tanks in the ground.  The company has sent out letters to adjoining property owners to notify them of the proposed work. 

Baine also reported that work has started to move the lines on 5th Street, to accommodate the stage for Boom Days.  All acts have been booked for this year's Boom Days and the headliners will be announced in early March. 

The next meeting of the Fort Payne Council will be held on February 21, beginning at 12:30 in the Council Chambers on the second floor of Fort Payne City Hall.