Sales tax drop forces budget amendment
The Jasper City Council amended its 2008-2009 budget on Tuesday to reflect that the city will be paying more for insurance and receiving less in sales tax revenue this year.
City Clerk Kathy Chambless received permission from the council to decrease the sales tax projections in the budget by one percent to $8,670,000. Chambless will be adding $125,000 to the budget for the rising cost of workmen’s compensation and $84,000 for employee health insurance.
Other changes to the budget will reflect that the city will lose $60,200 in revenue from decreases in personal property revenue, interest income, building permits, tobacco taxes and inspection fees this year.
Chambless did have some good news for council members. Revenue from ad valorem tax is expected to increase by $270,000. Gasoline taxes and fine revenues are up this year, and revenue from business licenses has increased by $100,000 as well.
In all, the city’s extra revenue is expected to outweigh its additional expenses by $34,411.
Chambless will also be transferring $280,000 to the General Fund from the garbage and alcohol funds to make up a deficit the city incurred in last year’s budget.
In addition, Chambless presented the council with a list of $51,000 in expenditures that they have approved in meetings this year.
Chambless says the council hasn't approved very many things this year as a result of realizing the city is trying to make up for operational problems of the last year.
The city clerk also reported that the city is saving almost $55,000 in salaries because of recent retirements and paying $28,000 less in utility bills since Sherer Auditorium and the Armory have been closed.
The city also saved $25,000 by canceling its Fourth of July fireworks show this year.
The council unanimously approved all amendments to the budget that Chambless presented.
In other action at the meeting:
•Mayor Sonny Posey announced that he would be willing to use $3,000 from his discretionary account to help three Parks and Recreation teams attend the World Series later this month.
The council typically approves funding for city teams to compete in the World Series. However, Posey said he would provide the money this year so that the council can continue to be cautious in their own spending.
•The council rescinded a resolution that provides supplemental pay for public safety employees who are injured in the line of duty.
Mayor Posey said the resolution as written would allow employees to continue receiving their full salary even if he or she is injured in a minor accident. He went on to say that he doesn’t think the city can offer blanket coverage to everybody involved because some injuries, while they may occur on the job, are not the direct result of the pursuit of a criminal or drug dealer or fighting of a fireMayo.
A new resolution will be written that states public safety employees will only get their full pay when they are severely injured while performing their duties.
•Council members authorized Mayor Posey to sign agreements with the Alabama Department of Transportation and engineering firm Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. for sidewalk improvement along 18th Street, 19th Street and Alabama Avenue.
Construction on the project is not expected to begin until next spring.
Council agrees to take part in sales-tax holiday
SUMITON — The city of Sumiton has agreed to take part in the
state’s annual sales tax holiday held to help state residents
with back-to-school shopping.
Mayor Petey Ellis says, “The tax-free weekend is a big help to a lot of parents. There are certain restrictions that apply but many of the tax free items include school supplies and clothing.”
The 2009 Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 7 and ends at midnight on Aug. 9.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Web site, the deadline to submit notification about local participation in the program was Monday.
There may be fewer municipalities participating in the back-to-school sales tax holiday this year. On Tuesday, the Jefferson County Commission voted to repeal its association with the holiday because of the county’s financial crisis. Officials believe the holiday could cost Jefferson County about $200,000 in lost revenue.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council members recognized that the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System had matched a grant for the Sumiton Fire and Rescue in the amount of $461.
Mayor Ellis says, “This grant is for medical supplies." He also stated that it is something the city does every year.
City council members also voted Tuesday to continue the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging’s annual agreement for senior services.
This agreement will allow the agency to continue to use the Sumiton Senior Center during the day and provide meals for seniors.
Also, the city will soon be looking for a replacement fire truck for Sumiton Fire and Rescue. David Wade, fire chief for Sumiton, has located a 1977 International Fire Engine in Pennsylvania but no current plans have been made to purchase the vehicle.
Also addressed at Tuesdays meeting, the city has been contacted by the Alabama Forestry Commission and advised that federal stimulus grants are available for installing wood-using furnaces and boiler systems.
Upcoming events for the city include the 13-year-old Dizzy Dean boys state tournament that will be held Saturday in City Park and the Fifth Annual Living in Alabama Communities Exhibition that will be held July 21-24.
