By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — (Full Video on our Facebook) In a special called meeting on Monday night, the Rainsville City Council passed its $4.5 million dollar budget for the 2020 fiscal year. All council members, along with City Accountant Betty Holcomb and Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt, were present with the exception of Councilmember Bejan Taheri.
Holcomb discussed each department in detail as councilmembers found ways to cut some spending within the City. These cuts allowed the City to purchase another vehicle for the Rainsville Police Department.
Initially, employee raises were not included in this year’s budget. Councilmembers Derek Rosson and Ricky Byrum requested that first responders (policemen and firefighters) receive raises this year.
“The revolving door is killing us,” said Rosson.
Councilmembers Marshall Stiefel and Brandon Freeman asked that raises be spread across the board to all city employees.
After much disagreement and discussion, it was decided that $103,633 would be left on the table for future raises after an independent study was completed by Jacksonville State University.
The raises will continue to be discussed on Monday night, October 7, at the Council’s regular meeting. The workshop will be held at 4:15pm with the regular session at 5pm.
Southern Torch reached out to other municipalities regarding the passage of budgets across DeKalb County. The following municipalities have passed their budgets as of press time:
- Geraldine — $1.2 million
- Henagar — $1.9 million
- Sylvania — $630,013
Southern Torch will continue to update as these budgets are passed.
