Greene County Democrat

Tag: Eutaw City Council

  • Eutaw City Council approves purchase of 200 new water meters to replace those that are not working properly

    The Eutaw City Council met on February 10, 2026, for its first regular meeting of the month. Mayor Cockrell and all council members were present.
    The Council approved purchase of 200 new Neptune Procorder R9000 water meters for the Water Department at a cost of $34,400 or $ 172 per meter. These meters will be used to replace meters that were installed improperly and meters that are not functioning properly. This will insure that the Water Department will be getting accurate readings and can bill residents correctly for the water they are using.
    The Council also approved $16,000 for purchase of an 8 inch UME Machid R900 water pump for the well no.4 on the Lower Gainesville Road. The pump meter had to be replaced to insure a continuing flow of water into the system. This is the type of continuing maintenance and repair that the Water Department is responsible to make and pay for out of water bill revenues.
    The Council heard from a representative of ETA Data Systems on their software to operate the Water Department billing. The Council is trying to see which software and billing system is most compatible and cost effective for their operations. It was the consensus of the Council members that both companies bring a demonstration of their system and allow the staff that will actually be using the software, to test it out and determine which will serve their needs in the best way.
    The Council voted to accept a lease addendum on property owned by the City and Long and Huffed Farms, for $3,000 annually, for the location of a Ferrell Gas Company Tank on the Lock 7 road. The details of the lease were worked out by the parties in consultation with Zane Willingham, the city’s legal counsel.
    The Council tabled action on a resolution to engage Shuyron Macon of Knight and Day Group LLC, a Houston, Texas based law firm, specializing in municipal bond financing for smaller size cities, like Eutaw, Alabama, to do a study of the economic feasibility and constraints on the city in issuing bonds to finance longer term repairs to roads, infrastructure and buildings in the city. The City’s legal counsel also had some questions and concerns about the agreement, which need to be worked out. Council members agreed to consider these issues in the next work session, which is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved Mandatory Skidcar Training for Police officers on February 23 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
    • Approved voting delegates for the Alabama League of Municipalities. Mayor Cockrell will be the Voting Delegate, Tracey Hunter will be first alternative and Carrie Logan will be second voting delegate.
    • Approved payment of bills including a revised AT&T invoice for telephone services.

    Mayor Cockrell reported that he was working on a master plan for the repair of roads, bridges and drainage in the city. He is also working on a plan to improve the buildings and infrastructure owned by the city including City Hall, Lock 7 Park, the Robert H. Young Community Center and the National Guard Armory. More information on these plans will be provided as they are developed and funds are identified and secured to finance the updating and repairs to these city owned assets and properties.

  • Eutaw City Council approves budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026

    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.

  • Ke’Undra Cox qualifies for Eutaw City Council District I

    I am excited and honored to officially announce my candidacy for Eutaw City Council, District 1. Like many of you, I have watched our city face significant challenges. I’ve asked myself the same question you have: When will we finally move forward? When will we see real progress? I’ve come to this answer—progress is not given; it is earned through hard work, commitment, and a relentless pursuit of what’s possible.

    That is the commitment I make to you. Every day, I will dedicate myself to doing the hard work of moving Eutaw forward. I will not rest until we have not only met but exceeded our potential.

    My Platform: 5 Key Priorities for District 1: 1. Public Safety – Building a safer community for all. 2. Economic Prosperity – Creating opportunities for growth and local success. 3. Transparency – Ensuring open, honest, and accountable leadership. 4. Citizen Involvement – Empowering every voice and strengthening community engagement. 5.Population Growth – Positioning Eutaw as a city where people want to live, work, and raise families.

    If we can advance these five priorities, I firmly believe we will create a city where residents can thrive and businesses can grow.

    I won’t take up your time with a lengthy biography, but I will share this: service has been the foundation of my life. As a child, I proudly wore the uniform of the Boy Scouts of America, where I first learned the value of serving my community with honor and pride. After high school, I enlisted in the Air Force Reserve to defend the rights and freedoms of our nation. Today, I continue that service as the President of the West Alabama Young Democrats, where I have worked to uplift young people and promote social justice across our region.

    I am ready to work. I am ready to lead. And I am ready to serve you. Together, our future is bright. Let’s move forward—because together, anything is possible. Warm regards, Ke’Undra Cox, Candidate for Eutaw City Council, District 1.

     

     

  • Eutaw City Council raises pay for police department

    At its regular meeting on March 12, 2024, the Eutaw City Council agreed to a budget adjustment to increase the pay of police officers based on their years of experience working with the city.

    This action was in response to a concern raised by Police Chief Tommy Johnson that four officers had left the staff since the beginning of the calendar year because they received offers of higher pay from neighboring police departments.

    “Our starting salary of $15.00 an hour was too low to attract or keep trained officers,” said Chief Johnson. The mayor also indicated that the police department was currently paying overtime pay rates to officers to cover all required shifts.

    Council members, Jonathan Woodruff and Tracey Hunter, who are members of the Council Finance Committee, proposed an adjustment to the budget, which would raise the base pay, for police officers who completed training to $17.00 an hour ($35,360 annually), with one to five years’ experience. The salary for officers with 6 to 10 years’ experience would be increased to $18.00 an hour ($37,440 annually). For officers with more than 10 years, the pay rate was increased to $19.00 an hour ($39,520 annually)

    The Chief of Police will continue to receive $65,000 annually The Assistant Chief was raised to $22.00 an hour or $45,760 annually. There may be some other adjustments based on years of service. There were no cadets budgeted for this fiscal year, which created the budgetary savings to allow the increased salaries, within the current budget for this fiscal year.

    Chief Johnson said he would be able to recruit new replacement officers at the new pay rate but still urged further increases to allow for retention of capable and experienced personnel.

    The Council tabled action on setting rates for rental of the R. H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver School) since City Attorney, Zane Willingham, who helped draft the rates, was away attending a conference for municipal attorneys.

    At its prior meeting on February 27, 2024, the Council voted to change the check signers on all city accounts in Merchants and Farmers Bank. There will be two signatories, on each check, of three signers: Council members: Tracey Hunter and Jonathan Woodruff and Chief Clerk, SheKelvia Spencer. This action removed Mayor Latasha Johnson, as a check signer.

    The Mayor indicated some displeasure and disagreement with being removed from check signing but said she would abide by the Council’s decision, if they made sure to sign checks on a timely basis as needed.
    The Mayor said, “No money is missing, nothing is hidden, no money has been mis-spent. We have an audit that shows that we are financially stable and following our budget. In the past, we did not have our finances in good condition, but now under my leadership we do. There is no reason to remove me as a check signer.”

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved a resolution to allow the mayor to seek bids to renovate the restrooms at City Hall.

    • Approved a retail liquor license for Madi Food Mart, which plans to re-open a closed convenience store on Greensboro Avenue in Eutaw.

    • Approved travel for several city officials to attend upcoming conferences and training.

    • Received financial reports from Ralph Liverman, Fiscal Adviser, on bank accounts and loan balances. This included a report that 29 monthly payments had been made on the City’s four-year, equipment loan of $500,370, with 19 payments totaling $206,198 remaining to be paid. This monthly expenditure is included in the budget.

    • Received a report from the Chamber of Commerce that they received a $5,000 grant for a mural to be painted on the wall of a building in downtown Eutaw.

    • Approved payment of bills.

    The meeting ended with a discussion of the need to keep the streets of Eutaw clean and that some people were dumping trash and other waste materials at the side of the road and in ditches in the city. The mayor stated that she would work with residents and businesses to keep the areas around their homes and workspaces clean. Lorenzo French suggested involving young people in the clean-up efforts, so they would help maintain the clean streets and areas of the city.

  • Eutaw City Council learns that city is losing police officers due to low pay

    At its regular meeting on February 13, 2024, the Eutaw City Council learned from Chief of Police Tommy Johnson that three police officers had left the staff to take jobs at other law enforcement agencies, due to low pay.
    Currently Eutaw police officers have a starting pay of $15.00 an hour which the officers said is not sufficient for their essential and needed services. This wage is comparable to many fast-food workers in the area, who do not have the same risks and danger faced by police officers.

    Chief Johnson said that four additional officers may leave and that the current staffing pattern requires extensive overtime pay because there are not enough officers to cover all shifts.

    The Eutaw City Council, at this meeting, approved an amended policy on the use of city vehicles which allows police officers to drive cars home, beyond the police jurisdiction, but not for personal use beyond the roundtrip to work. This will also allow the police, who live out of town, to respond to emergencies more quickly. An earlier version of the policy required parking of all city vehicles including police cars. Chief Johnson and some police officers objected to the original policy and the effort to control and reduce a small benefit to police officers, which may have contributed to some officers leaving the staff.

    Council members concerned about the reduced number of police officers, agreed to a Council Work Session on Thursday, February 22, 2024, to review the police budget and possibly adjust pay rates to improve recruitment and retention of police officers.

    The Council considered a fee schedule for the rental and use of the Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly the Carver School) which the city purchased from the Board of Education. The proposal suggested $300 for a four hour basic rental of the gymnasium, and increments for additional hours, also if funds are raised and further if alcohol is served at the function. The facility has been used for funerals, by 501c3 non-profit organizations and others who may not be able to afford these rates. The Council tabled the rental fee schedule for further discussion at the upcoming work session.

    The Council approved salary raises for two of three city employees, who were recently promoted: Broderick Lewis as General Superintendent at $18/hour; and Marcus Burton, Water and Sewer Supervisor at $17/hour; Paul Jones raise is pending based on resolution of a problem with his driver’s license.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved the low bid of $1,074,075.09, of Cornerstone Civil Contractors, for the Eutaw Courthouse Streetscape Project and sent the information forward to the Alabama Department of Transportation and Goodwyn, Mills and Caywood, project engineer, for contract award and initiation of construction.

    • Approved Ordinance No 2024-20-06 #6 regulating grass and weed nuisances, accumulation of rubbish, abandoned and inoperable vehicles, abandoned/dilapidated structures, and other nuisances. This ordinance simplifies the process for dealing with these nuisances and eye soars in the city.

    • Received a report from Logan Land Company that land owned by the City of Eutaw on County Road 53, also known as Lock 7 road, which is zoned M-1, for light industry is worth $10,000 to $15,000 per acre for sale in 4-to-5-acre parcels. A church group had indicated an interest in purchasing some of the city’s land in this location, which prompted the city to seek an estimated commercial value for the property.

    • Received notice from Mayor Johnson that the City of Eutaw had submitted documents to be included in the RAISE Grant, a program by Auburn University to build sidewalks and crosswalks on Greensboro Avenue, Hwy 14 to Highway 43, reaching to the Carver Circle community and public housing units.

    • Approved a proposal from Lorenzo French, PARA Director for a one-week Boys and Girls Basketball Camp at the Robert H. Young Community Center in June 2024.

    • Approved payment of bills for the past month.

  • Eutaw City Council meets to handle financial matters

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    Most of November 14, 2023, meeting of the Eutaw City Council was devoted to financial matters and a review of the revised budget for the Fiscal Year October 1,2023 to September 30, 2024. Three City Council members: Larrie Coleman, Valerie Watkins and Jacqueline Stewart and Mayor Latasha Johnson were present.

    The first item considered was leasing of a new 2023 John Deere Cab Tractor for 5 years, from Sun South LLC for $96,852, with 60 monthly payments of $1,926, a five-year warranty and a $1.00 buyout at the end of the lease. Mayor Johnson said it was critical for the city to get a new tractor for grass cutting. The old tractor is often in the shop and costs more to repair than the monthly lease on a new tractor.

    Councilwoman Valerie Watkins said she was reluctant to vote for a major capital expenditure without studying the revised budget to make sure funds were available. Financial Adviser Ralph Liverman explained some changes that he had made to the budget to meet state requirements and said the funds for the new tractor were included in the budget, along with other road and street improvements.

    Liverman said he reduced the General Fund budget by $300,000 for the new fiscal year, because the City was no long receiving funds from electronic bingo. “If these funds are restored, you can place them in the Capital Improvements Fund and fix more city roads and bridges.

    Liverman also said he reduced the General Fund by $450,000 to account for being required, by the State of Alabama, to move these funds to a new separate bank account. He indicated that the funds could be used for street and road improvements and that he had also moved some expenditures for road projects from the General Fund to this new fund for the local gas tax. Liverman also indicated that the city’s share of local gas tax collection increased from $70,000 to over $400,000 annually, since Love’s Truck and Travel Center was operating in Eutaw.

    After this discussion, it was moved by Councilwoman Stewart and seconded by Councilman Coleman to lease the tractor. The motion passed 3 to 1 with the Mayor’s vote in favor. A resolution was also approved to contract for Living Water Services to handle operations and analytical services for the City of Eutaw Lagoon for $1,850 a month, A resolution was also approved to pave a portion of the Lower Gainesville Road in the City of Eutaw.

    The Council was informed that two cadets sent to the police academy by the Eutaw Police Department were graduating on November 16th in Tuscaloosa. Several police officers and city employees plan to attend the graduation to encourage the cadets to join the city workforce.

    Mayor Johnson proposed that the City Council reinstate the old policy that police and other city employees can drive vehicles home to be ready to come to emergency situations quickly. After questioning, the Mayor said she never did implement the change in the policy, because the Council did not set dates and timetables for implementing the policy. The Mayor said that she was requiring the drivers to keep mileage and maintenance logs to take care of the cars.

    The Council heard a presentation on setting up a Greene County Saddle Club to encourage horse riding in an organized way. Once set up the Saddle Club would like to use the facilities in the City Park at Lock 7 for horse shows and other events. The Council asked the group to make a specific proposal that they could take action to implement.

    The Council passed a resolution declaring vacant the District 2 seat, held by Lajeffrey Carpenter, who pled quilty to the felony of using city property for personal gain. The Mayor said residents of District 2 could submit their names and a letter of interest in the position, so the Council could fill the position, within the next sixty days. The Council also voted to remove Carpenter’s name from all bank accounts on which he was a signatory.

    The Council approved resolutions for the revised budget for the FY2023-24 and opening a new account for deposit of a local gas tax funds.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved Thanksgiving holiday for staff for November 22 (half day) and all of Nov. 23 and 24.
    • Approved Police Chief Tommy Johnson request purchasing 4 VHF Motorola, two-way radios, at a cost of $880 each radio.
    • Tabled payment of a $1,500 claim for Gloria Mobley.
    • Approved payment of bills for October 2023.
    • Agreed to hold a Council Work Session on November 27, 2023, at 3:30 PM, before the next regular City Council meeting on November 28, 2023.

  • Eutaw City Council approves agreement for new water operator

    At its regular meeting on April 10, 2023, the Eutaw City Council approved an agreement with J&K Water Consultants of Northport, Alabama to serve as water operator for the city. A certified water operator is required by Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and is critically needed as the city moves forward with multi-million-dollar grants to repair and improve the unified Eutaw and Boligee Water System.

    Corey Martin, previous certified water operator and IT (computer) specialist with the city resigned and moved on to a position in another city.

    Johnathon Nixon, who is a certified water operator, working in Northport will visit the city weekly to monitor wells and tanks, take water samples, assist in repairing water leaks and making monthly reports to ADEM and the city. According to Mayor Johnson, Nixon has roots in Greene County and previously worker for the city, under prior administrations.

    J&K Water Consultants will work with existing city staff to maintain the system on a daily basis and be available for leaks and special problems beyond the monthly water sampling and reporting. J&K will be paid $1,500 a
    month for their services.

    Ralph Liverman presented the Council with a set of documents on the city’s finances that were not reviewed at the meeting. Among the documents was a report for the first six months of the 2022-23 fiscal year, October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.This report covered 19 bank accounts that the city has including the General Fund, Water and Sewer Funds, Capital Improvement, Gas Tax Funds, Municipal Court and COVID Relief.

    In a prior council work session, Liverman said that revenues for the first half of the year were meeting budgetary projections. Expenses were running slightly ahead of budget because of clean-up efforts after the November 28, 2022, and January 12, 2023, tornados. The City expects reimbursement from FEMA for most of the clean-up and debris management costs from the January storm, which received a Federal disaster declaration from FEMA, that was not available for the earlier storm.

    Liverman also provided the City Council with a copy of a check for $32,880, which was the first disbursement from the State of Alabama for the first phase of the ADEM sponsored water and sewer improvement project. The funds were deposited in a special account as required by ADEM. The City Council agreed to set up two new bank accounts one for the Water Project and one for the Sewer Project at its December meeting. The report shows that the city is in compliance with ADEM requirements on handling funds.

    The City Council tabled action on changing and approving the signatories for bank accounts in Merchants and Farmers Bank. The Council also tabled action on a request from Rev. Siegfried Williams, Pastor of Freedom Rock Church in Eutaw, who wanted to purchase some property from the city, since Rev. Williams was not in attendance at the meeting. The City Council did approve payment of bills and claims.

    In her Mayor’s Report, Latasha Johnson thanked all of her staff members for their devoted work on behalf of the city. She mentioned that Samuel Braggs, a long-time city employee had passed.

    Police Chief Tommy Johnson announced that a First Responders Parade will be held on May 25th. Carrie Logan with the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce announced a clean-up day on Saturday, April 22, when volunteers will collect and bag-up trash in the city.

  • Eutaw City Council receives update
    on finances and water system

    Mayor Lastasha Johnson presents awards to longtime employees of the City of Eutaw at February 8, 2022 council’s meeting. Shown L to R: Larry Sanford, (47 years service); Bennie Abrams (49), Dougles Smith (25), Linda Spencer (28), Mayor Johnson, Wilma Wedgeworth (38), Joe Powell (16) and Marcus Burton (13)

    At its regular meetings on Feb. 8 and 22, the Eutaw City Council received detailed financial reports on its status relative to the budget and reports on the progress of the water system as well as making other decisions to advance the city.

    Ralph Liverman, Financial Consultant to the city, reported that “for the first four months of the current fiscal year, October 1,2021 through January 31, 2022, based on its General Fund Budget, the City of Eutaw collected  $ 1,036,724 in revenues, which was 46% of its budget, and spent $766,394,
    which was 34% of its budget.”

    Liverman clarified that this meant that for four months, about a third of the year, the City had generated more than its projected budgeted revenues and was right on schedule with its expenditures.

    Liverman presented a detailed report of the status of 24 bank accounts that the City is required to maintain to separate revenue sources, provide accurate expenditure reports and to maintain reserves for the maintenance and repair of equipment and the repayment of loans.

    The City has a detailed budget and new accounting system which allows the Mayor, Council and staff to review and forecast revenues and expenses. In the past the Mayor, Council and the public did not have access to accurate and timely financial information upon which to make financial decisions concerning purchase of equipment, facilities and staffing. The new system gives the city an opportunity to make decisions in a more rational and financially sound manner.

    Corey Martin reported on the water system. The system has 1,480 customers and has made significant upgrades over the past year to improve services. Collections for the current fiscal year are running above the budgetary projections. The water system used $400,000 in COVID funding to institute a digital telemetry system to monitor its wells and pipes, as well as make other improvements to the system, which will produce better results in the future.

    At its February 8th meeting the Eutaw City Council approved $50,000 for purchase of a new modular office for the street, water and sewer staff, to replace the current run-down facilities. The Council approved $12,900 for a study by BAM to map the city lagoon and sludge depth to use to seek funding for improving sewage disposal. $16,592 was allocated from the Tank Repair Fund to improve Water Well No. 5 in Branch Heights. Funding was also approved for the Tango-Tango radio system for the Police Department.

    At the February 22nd meeting, funds were approved for the DocuWare Cloud investment for the city to improve recordkeeping. The schedule for the completion of the GIS mapping of all city utilities was extended to May 24 to allow all data points to be appropriately mapped. City Engineer Babb stated the mapping involved establishing, digitizing and compiling 75,000 to 100,00 data points into maps that show the exact location of all city utility services.

    A hearing for overgrown properties at 330 and 332 First Avenue was scheduled. If the landowners do not properly maintain their space, the city will do the work and add the cost to the ad valorem tax bill for the properties.

    Doug Fulghum from the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service gave a report on improvements to traffic, walking and biking trails and playground repairs at Carver Circle that his agency will be working on during the coming months, with grant funds they have secured and mad available for these purposes.

    The Council adopted ordinances to approve non-exclusive franchise agreements with Charter Communications (Spectrum Southeast LLC) and Telepak Networks (C-Spire) for expansion of fiber broadband services within the city. These agreements will generate a 5% franchise fee to the city when implemented.

    The Council approved an ordinance and referred it to the Planning and Zoning Boards, amending chapters of the City Code, which would bar businesses that received more than 50% of their revenues from the sale of alcoholic beverages on the City Square, surrounding the old Courthouse. This would effectively ban nightclubs, sports bars and other business that sell alcoholic beverages from operating in the center of town.

    The Council approved travel, per diem and registration for the Mayor, Council And clerks to attend the Alabama League of Municipalities 2022 Annual Convention in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on May 11-14, 2022.

     

  • City of Eutaw’s finances are improving according to Mayor Latasha Johnson

    Mayor Latasha Johnson

    In her report, at the end of a routine Eutaw City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, Mayor Latasha Johnson announced, “Our city finances are improving, we have paid the IRS lien; we have paid the Greene County Board of Education in full for the Carver School, which we are converting to the Robert H. Young Community Center; and we have paid the Industrial Development Authority in full (approximately $85,000) for a loan they made to us to extend the sewage line to the Love’s Truck Stop at Exit 40 on Interstate 20/59.

    Mayor Johnson also reported that the city had been able to meet all requirements of the USDA Rural Development agency for the loan to improve the City’s water system. All required reserve accounts have been satisfied and the annual payment of $102,281.25 is available to pay this obligation on or before January 1, 2022.

    “We have been able to get a better grip on our city finances, with the help of our financial consultant and a CPA that is doing our audits. The reason our finances are improving are three-fold, better staffing that has developed a budget and fiscal controls; better staffing of our water department which has reduced losses and increased collections; and the additional sales and gas tax revenues we have received, primarily from the
    success of the Love’s Truck and Travel Center,” said Mayor Johnson.

    “When we came into office, our finances were a mess and we could not tell if we were going to be able to pay our bills. IRS had a lien against all city property for past due employee taxes. We were able, during the year, to slowly get a handle on our finances. Reconcile and rearrange our bank accounts. Develop a budget to monitor our expenses. We also worked to straighten out the Water Department and collect unpaid bills. All these steps have placed our city in a better position to go forward, to seek grants and to provide basic services to our residents,” said Johnson.

    The Council also voted to use $27,000 in unspent American Rescue Plan funds to provide a $542 incentive to each city employee who is fully vaccinated for the coronavirus. Employees must present evidence of vaccination to receive this year-end benefit.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council, approved:

    • Travel reimbursements for Police Chief Tommy Johnson, Municipal Judge Joshua Swords, and four city magistrates for attending various training sessions.

    • The assignment and assumption of the garbage collection contract from Waste Away Group Inc. (Waste Management) to the Arrow Disposal Company.

    • A rental agreement with the Tribe of Jacobs Ladder for one room at the R.H. Young Community Center.

    • Use of the gym at the RH Young Community Center to Rev. McIntosh, BluePrint for Leadership Alabama on December 22, 2021.

    • Holidays for city employees for Dec. 22 (half-day) and Dec. 23 and 24 for Christmas; and December 29 (half-day) and Dec. 30 and 31, for New Years.
    • Paying all bills through December 31, 2021.

    • Not holding a City Council meeting on the fourth Tuesday because of the holidays.

     

     

  • Eutaw City Council approves water leak insurance; re-enacts mask mandate

    Eutaw Mayor Latasha Johnson (center) and members of the Eutaw City Council show the hand sanitizer available for distribution to residents
    Officer Andrew Clements and
    Police Chief Tommy Johnson

    At its regular meeting on August 10, 2021, the Eutaw City Council approved a proposal from SERVLine to add an insurance of up to $500 for water leakages on the customer side of the meter. Eutaw water customers will be able to opt-out of this $1.75 a month charge on their water bills, if they do not want the coverage.

    This insurance, which costs $1.75 per month ($21 per year), will be added to customer’s water bills, provides up to $500 if a leak develops on the customer’s side of the water meter, which is paid to cover the high water bills for water-loss in a leak. Some of the high utility bills incurred in the city have come from undiscovered and prolonged leaks. 

    The payment is subject to a deductible, based on the average water bill for the past twelve months. This means even if you have a water leak covered by the insurance, you will still have to pay your basic monthly bill and the insurance will help pay for the extra water used that was caused by the leak.

    SERLine will send a letter to all City of Eutaw water customers informing them of the insurance program before the $1.75 charge is added to all of the water bills. Customers may opt-out of the insurance program, that is to say you must inform the City’s Water Department that you do not want to be covered by the insurance, during the initial three months of the coverage period and at specific designated times during the year.

    Many City Council members expressed concerns that customers would not understand the additional $1.75 monthly insurance charge on their bills or that they can opt-out of the program if they do not want the coverage. Mayor Johnson assured the Council that all water customers would be informed of this insurance coverage and monthly charge by letter from the company and by an advisory printed on their bills. 

    The Council then voted unanimously for instituting this SERVLine water leak insurance program. This program will start soon, so look for your notice in the mail and your opportunity to opt-out, if you do not wish to pay for this additional insurance coverage.

    The Eutaw City Council agreed to re-impose a mask mandate for the City of Eutaw requiring citizens to wear masks inside city businesses and in places where there are large numbers of people gathered together inside or outside. The city adopted this mandate until its first regular meeting on September 14, 2021. 

    The Council may extend the mask mandate at that point depending on the conditions of community spread of the coronavirus, especially the more contagious Delta variant, which is spreading throughout the state, primarily to unvaccinated people. The Mayor and Council urged all adults and children above the age of 12 to be vaccinated. Vaccination appointments may be made at the Greene County Health System, Mills Pharmacy and the Alabama Department of Public Health. 

    The mayor reported that the City of Eutaw had received a pallet of hand sanitizer, to be distributed to Greene County agencies, businesses and residents. The Black Belt Community Foundation informed the city of the availability of these free resources to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the city staff acted to secure these resources.

    The mayor said a CPA in Tuscaloosa is preparing audits for the fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020, which will enable the city to seek grants and loans to acquire new equipment, such as a knuckle-boom truck to pick up 

    fallen trees and other trash on the side of the streets. The mayor said she has spoken with Waste Management, who said they were having difficulties in picking up garbage in the city on schedule because of a lack of personnel. The company improved garbage collections for several weeks but has fallen behind schedule again.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council: 

    • Approved travel for Linda Spencer, Court Clerk and Antonio Pearson, Magistrate, to attend training.

    • Approved Corey Martin, Water Operator to attend training in Ozark, Alabama.

     

    • Approved amending the Personnel Handbook to allow part-time employees to apply for health insurance, after they complete the 90-day probationary period.

    • Police Chief Tommy Johnson reported that Andrew Clements, a new officer had complete training at the Police Academy and was joining the city’s police force. He also announced that he was holding another coffee and donuts session at Branch Heights, on Thursday August 12, to talk with people about improving the policing of Eutaw.

    • Approved payment of outstanding bills.