Andalusia City Council Meeting September 19, 2023
Date: 2023-09-19 Type: Regular Meeting
Quick Summary
The council approved the Sept. 5, 2023 meeting minutes and adopted Ordinance 2023-03 (second reading) to transfer industrial park property to the Industrial Development Board for a spec building. The FY2024 budget (Resolution 2023-56) was adopted, police interview room equipment (Resolution 2023-57) was authorized using American Rescue Plan funds, agreements with Covington County (animal shelter and inmate housing) were approved and authorized for execution, and Human Resources Resolution 2023-03 was adopted to add a lieutenant position to the police department.
Key Decisions
- Approved minutes of the September 5, 2023 meeting (motion by Mr. Mount; second by Mr. Nix; hand/voice vote).
- Adopted Ordinance 2023-03 (second reading) transferring industrial park property to the Industrial Development Board for a spec building project (council vote in favor).
- Adopted Resolution 2023-56 establishing the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the City of Andalusia (budget begins October 1).
- Adopted Resolution 2023-57 authorizing acquisition of police interview room equipment to integrate with existing cameras, purchase to be funded by American Rescue Plan funds.
- Approved animal shelter agreement with Covington County and authorized city execution pending sheriff’s approval.
- Approved inmate housing agreement with Covington County (including updated food charges and contract protections) and authorized city execution.
Notable Discussion
- Budget highlights: 6.67% increase in operating expenses; 29.73% of the increase allocated for COLA/performance pay and benefits; 2.5% COLA included in this budget; operating budget is $842,000 less than projected operating revenue, with excess directed to contingency and capital improvement funds.
- Police interview room equipment will integrate with existing body cameras and other department systems; purchase eligible under American Rescue Plan funds.
- Animal shelter agreement includes an increased charge for county animals and minor contractual changes discussed in the workshop.
- Inmate housing contract includes increased food charges and added protections to limit other potential city costs.
Action Items
- Enter approval of the September 5, 2023 minutes into the record.
- Execute Ordinance 2023-03 transfer as adopted.
- Implement FY2024 budget effective October 1 and allocate excess revenue to contingency and capital improvement funds as planned.
- Purchase and install authorized police interview room equipment using American Rescue Plan funds.
- Execute animal shelter and inmate housing agreements with Covington County and present to the sheriff for his execution/approval.
- Update the police department strength plan to add the lieutenant position and proceed with the related promotion.