The Eutaw City Council met on November 25, 2025, for its regular fourth Tuesday meeting. The mayor and five council members were present.
The Council adopted its budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025, and ending. September 30, 20256. The budget was prepared by James Lewis, the new fiscal advisor, who replaced Ralph Liverman, who moved out of state to live with his children. Lewis works for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service in financial literacy and has an MBA with experience in managing several local businesses.
Lewis who participated in a Eutaw City Council work session earlier in the month, on November 18th, said his goal was to reflect increasing revenues and cut expenses to have a budget with a greater surplus, that could be utilized for needed infrastructure improvements to the city’s streets, roadways, bridges, community facilities , utilities and other city assets.
Lewis said he based the budget on current and actual revenues, expenses are tied to actual personnel employed, all salaries are the current approved amount with some adjustment for merit raises newly provided. There is no across the board or cost based salary increases at this time.
The budget shows for the General Fund, total revenues of $3,078,216 with expenditures of $2,121,119 with a surplus of $957,097. For the Water Fund, total revenues are $815,000, less expenditures of $749,394, yielding $65,606. For the sewer fund, total receipts are projected at $348,294 and expenses at $293,254, with a surplus of $65,040.
All the personnel, benefits, equipment and supplies for each city department and functional area are explained in detail in the budget. As time moves forward, one can review and evaluate if expenses are in compliance with budgeted amounts and make necessary adjustments. Copies of the full budget that was approved are available for review by residents .
The Council tabled a decision on purchasing a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe for Administrative use until more budgetary review.
In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-28 for participation in the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, later in the year.
• Approved sponsorship at the silver level ($300) for the 50th Anniversary Dinner for the Federation of Greene County Employees Federal Credit Union on December 11, 2025.
• Approved a $100 advertisement in the Greene County Progress edition.
• Approved Software Management Agreement with BBI, Inc.
•Approved payment of bills for the month.
Mayor Corey Cockrell reported on discussions with ServPro on repairing the roofs on the Carver School Gymnasium and the National Guard Armory. He also said that the city employees were going to trench all ditches on city property over the next two weeks. He mentioned preparations for a city sponsored Thanksgiving dinner.
In public comments, Jacky Hamilton complimented the city staff on correcting a fire hydrant leak at the corner of Pickens and Prairie streets. Debbie Duncan questioned when the city held a public hearing on the budget to get citizen input to the budgetary process.