Tag Archives: Financial Adviser

Eutaw City Council holds routine monthly meetings in April 2025

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Trash collected in downtown Eutaw on Saturday April 12, Clean-up Day sponsored by Eutaw City Council, Eutaw Garden Club and other volunteers

By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

This is a report of three meetings that the Eutaw City Council held during April 2025, the regular meetings on April 8 and 21 and a work session on April 15, 2025. The Eutaw City Council handled mostly routine business as well as a continuing argument over the best use of financial resources.
The Council adopted a Boligee and Eutaw Area Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 as a guideline and goals for future projects to support community improvement and economic growth over the next five years. The plan document was and prepared by the Delta Regional Authority with funding from Hope Enterprise Corporation. Engagement, writing and graphic design were completed by the Delta Design Build Workshop (Delta DB).
The City Council tabled this item in its April 8 meeting but approved it at the meeting on April 21, which gave members time to read and study the document. Some members were concerned that the plan might obligate the City to matching funds on projects for which it does not have funds on hand. Mayor Latasha Johnson clarified that the Strategic Plan was a guide to needed economic development, infrastructure, cultural and arts projects which would assist the city’s growth and development in the upcoming years. Copies are available through City Hall.
An agenda item that appeared in all three meetings concerned budget compliance for the General Fund and raises for city employees or laying off employees and return to a 40-hour work week. This agenda item was tabled in all three meetings pending a report through March 31,2025, half of the fiscal year, on the city finances and recommendations by the city’s Financial Adviser, Ralph Liverman. Some council members want Liverman to appear in person, so their will be no misunderstandings about his recommendations.
Mayor Johnson said that she kept employees, on the 32-hour schedule, to keep within the budget guidelines and not layoff staff. Council members Hunter and Woodruff were arguing that their interpretation of Liverman’s advice was that they should layoff staff and return to the 40-hour schedule to be in budgetary compliance. This matter was tabled until the March 31 financial report and budgetary adjustments and recommendations are available.
Another financial issue that came before the City Council, at all three meetings, was the disposition of two checks ($146,103.69 and $28,286.48) totaling $ !74,390.17, from the Alabama Examiner of Public Accounts from an audit of the Greene County ad valorem tax collections June 24, 2017 through June 26,2023, including some checks paid to the City that were outstanding and needed to be replaced. Councilman Woodruff asserted that these tax funds, which were an unexpected windfall, should be set aside in the Capital Improvements Fund for later use when the city’s financial status was clearer. The City Clerk explained that she used some of the funds to pay bills and that these funds will be reimbursed to the City from various construction projects. Woodruff also wanted to retain the funds to pay off the most recent loan to the City, at 6.5% interest, which he characterized as very high and expensive. This issue was postponed until there was a more accurate picture of the city’s finances, possibly after the March 31 financial report.
In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
• Approved a resolution for Zane Willingham, City Attorney, to represent the City in civil asset forfeitures of less than $5,000 on a contingency basis.
• Approved a 020-Restaurant Retail Liquor License for the King and Queen Cantina on Boligee Street in Eutaw.
• Approved Ordinance no. 2025-4 setting qualification fees for Mayor and City Council candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.
• Approved Resolution 2025-3 for the 2025 “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday on July 18-20, 2025.
• Approved purchasing of dirt to repair the City Park Baseball Field.
• Approved T&H Services for a contract to remove trash on Park Avenue.
• Approved payment of bills.
The City Water Clerk reported $132,291 in revenues for March 2025; as compared to March 2024 – $102,740, March 2023 of $113,365, March 2022 of $117,585. This means the increase in water rates is generating $20,000+ in revenues each month toward increasing expenses.
Tommy Johnson, Chief of Police, reported that he had scheduled a special training class for women on the use of guns, for Saturday May 24, 2025, with registration at 7:45 AM and starting time at 8:00 AM at City Hall. The training will include a visit to the shoot range for practice in shooting. It also will include safety and maintenance of weapons.
Several councilmembers complained of large potholes in city streets that need to be repaired. The Mayor said she had a long list of street repair projects which she was working on as fast as she could with limited resources for materials and staff.
The Mayor thanked the Eutaw Garden Club for co-sponsoring the City Clean-up Day on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

City of Eutaw holds contentious meeting; approves non-exclusive broadband franchise for Alabama Fiber Network

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By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

The Eutaw City Council held its bi-monthly meeting on February 25, 2025. All five council members and the mayor were present. The past few meetings, since the first of the year, have involved tensions between the council members and Mayor Latasha Johnson. This meeting was no exception, and in my notes, I wrote ‘this is a very contentious meeting’.
In the Fall of 2024, the Council removed Mayor Johnson, as a signatory on all city accounts, in recent meetings, the Mayor and the Council disagreed over an ordinance raising council members stipend from $300 to $800 a month, beginning the next fiscal year. They also disagreed over travel reimbursements for staff, the repair schedule for streets in the city, raises for city employees, the use of city vehicles, staff work hours and other matters.
Mayor Johnson has asserted that her decisions, were within her purview as “day to day operations of the city” while the Council members assert that they have fiscal control over the budget and expenditures and can correct the Mayor’s actions dealing with city funds.
These arguments began at the February 25 meeting over approval of the agenda before any other actions were taken. Councilman Jonathan Woodruff moved to remove two items from the agenda, because he said they had already been decided or should be considered in a working session. He moved to eliminate a discussion of employee evaluations and raises that was later decided to be shifted to a discussion in the next working session. The Mayor wanted some discussion and decisions on these matters, since the council members had voted themselves a raise without considering the employees.
Woodruff also wanted to cut an agenda item dealing with partial reimbursement of Assistant Police Chief William Smith for travel expenses to attend an FBI training workshop in Rushton, Louisiana on January 12-17, 2025. Woodruff said the Council disapproved the reimbursement in the prior three meetings because it was not a mandatory trip and because it was made in a city vehicle before it was authorized and under the policies this is not permitted.
Mayor Johnson said that she authorized the trip because it was beneficial to the city and put it on the agenda as soon as she could which was after the trip was underway. The Council agreed to reimburse Assistant Chief for $523.49, which was a third of his original request and a compromise realizing the trip had not been properly authorized but that the Mayor and not the Assistant Chief was the responsible party. Woodruff said the Mayor should have polled the Council by phone before authorizing the trip. He also said this was the last unauthorized trip that he would vote to reimburse, since the proper policies were not followed. The Mayor said she felt she did the best she could and felt the city would benefit from the police training that Smith received.
Another issue of contention was raised by Councilwoman Tracey Hunter who wanted to remove Police Chief Tommie Johnson, as a signatory, from the DARE Program checking account. The Mayor argued that the Police Chief is the supervisor of this special account and that he should not be removed from the account since he was not present at the meeting. It was unclear if the Chief had spent funds incorrectly from the DARE Account. The matter was tabled until a meeting where the Chief could be present.
The Council also passed Ordinance 2025-3, granting a non-exclusive franchise agreement to Alabama Fiber Network, to provide middle-mile broadband services in Eutaw. A copy of the full ordinance is printed in this week’s Democrat, as a Legal Notice on Page 7. In the ordinance, when fully operational, Alabama Fiber Network will pay a three per cent of revenues franchise fee to the city.
In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
• Tabled consideration of Zoning Board, Cemetery Committee and Airport Authority Board appointments.
• Referred Ms. Verna Nickson’s request for replacing her mobile home in a district zoned for residential dwellings, because her mobile home was in place before the zoning went into effect, to the Zoning Board for a variance.
• Received financial reports from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser.
• Approved services agreement with AVEN Insights and Analytics for collection of sales taxes and business licenses.
• Approved travel, per diem, registration and parking for Mayor, Clerks and Council members to attend the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention in Huntsville on May 13-16, 2025.
• Tabled request from Victoria Harris to rezone area, near Lock Seven, for a Bar and Grill, pending consultation with neighboring residents.
•Approved payment of bills.

Eutaw City Council approves raises for Mayor and Council

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At its regular meeting on February 13, 2025, the Eutaw City Council agreed to approve Ordinance 2025-2, which raises the monthly stipend of the Mayor and City Council members, effective when the newly elected officials take seats after the August 2025 elections, probably in November 2025.

The ordinance provides for an increase in the stipend for City Council members from $300 per month to $ 800 per month. The stipend for the Mayor is increased from $ 23,000 a year to $26,000 ($2,166.67 per month).
All five councilmembers voted in favor of the ordinance. Mayor Johnson voted against the increase, saying, “I feel the raise is too much especially when we are having financial difficulties and cannot give a raise to our employees.”

The Council also received a report from their Financial Adviser,Ralph Liverman.  In his report, Liverman says to wait with any pay increase to employees until after March 31, which is the midway point of the fiscal year. “At that point, you will have a good estimate of general fund revenues and expenditures and can better decide on employee raises,” said Liverman.
He also comments on plans to raise the stipends paid to councilmembers and the mayor, saying he does not agree to the amount of the raises and warns the council that voters are outraged and may take out their anger at the increases in the next election. Liverman also points to several reserve funds that have not been funded since the beginning of the calendar year.

The Council voted not to approve a travel reimbursement for Assistant Police Chief William Smith for a trip to an FBI training in Rushton, Louisiana in January. The Council was concerned that Smith went on the trip, in a city vehicle, without prior approval. The Council also questioned whether the trip was ‘mandatory’. Mayor Johnson said she authorized Smith to go on short notice because she felt the trip was mandatory and would help strength the city’s law enforcement capacity. Smith was not there to defend his actions and request for reimbursement. Councilman Woodruff said, “We have to make an example of staff who do not follow our policies and instructions. This trip was not authorized in a city vehicle, and we are not sure if it was a mandatory training.

In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
• Tabled actions on filling vacancies on the Zoning Board, Cemetery Committee and the Airport Authority Board.
• Referred Verna Nickson’s zoning issue to City Attorney Zane Willingham for resolution.
• Accepted for review a report from AVENU Insights and Analytics on their work in collecting sales taxes and Business license fees for the city.
• Approved travel for Sha’Kelvia Spencer and Joe Powell to attend a clerks training in Point Clear on April 23-25; also approved annual dues to the AAMCA for the two clerks.
• Approved annual dues for the Municipal Court Clerks and Magistrates Association.
• Approved quote from Henley’s Air Quality Control for heat pump systems and multi-zone damper system for City Hall.
• Approved payment of n claim of $2,162.76 from Banks and Company for replacement of front window.
• Tabled consideration of Ordinance 2025-3 granting a non-exclusive franchise for Fiber Utility Network Inc. to provide middle mile broadband service to the City of Eutaw.
• Approved request from Nicholas and Akira Spencer for streetlight near their home at 415 Eatman Avenue.
• Approved $1,000 to support the Police Ball and $500 for two tables for the BBCF Sneaker Ball, from DARE funds.
• Approved payment of bills.

Mayor Johnson said that she could not do her job without the support of God, the City Council, her staff of dedicated workers and the citizens of the city.

Council member Valerie Watkins asked when the ditch behind Roebuck Avenue would be scheduled for repair because it floods when it rains. The Mayor said it was on the repair list and staff had looked at it.

Councilmembers reported on their trip to Montgomery for an “advocacy day with the Legislature. They reported on various topics including Medicaid Expansion and other steps to help hospitals stay open.

Eutaw City Council receives audit,engineering, and financial reports

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Angela Henline, PE addresses Eutaw,City Council

The Eutaw City Council met on May 28, 2024, for its regular fourth Tuesday meeting. Mayor Johnson and all the council members, except for Valerie Watkins, were present.

Patricia Stough, CPA with Harbin and Stough, presented the audit report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. The report was presented with an unqualified opinion letter saying that the audit, “presents fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining information for the city as of September 30, 2023.”

Stough summarized the report and referred to pages 12 and 14, which was the Statement of Net Position on September 30, 2023, government-wide for the City of Eutaw. This report shows Total Assets of $12,840,650; with Liabilities of $3,245,940; and the Net position of $9,532,347. The report shows the annual revenues and expenses for specific governmental funds and activities. The Council accepted the audit as submitted. The audit report will be helpful to the city in pursuing grant funds for specific needs.

Angela Henline, Engineer from Cassady Company, who is working on improvements to the City of Eutaw water and wastewater systems, gave a progress report to the Council on the status of current projects. The Backflow Meters Project for residences is complete. The Boligee Tank Rehabilitation Project is 95% waiting on a control valve. The Backflow Prevention, Monitoring and Flushing Project is 50% complete, waiting for materials to be delivered.

The Stand-by Emergency Sewer Pump Project, for a trailer mounted sewage pump,is complete. Critical Pump Station Improvements Project is awaiting pumps and other materials to be installed. The Upgrade Low Road Force Main Project is 405 complete. The Lagoon Improvement Project design is 90% complete to be used seeking construction funds next year. The Boligee Manhole Rehabilitation plans and specs have been approved, waiting on funding.

Henline proposed a $101,669 project to ADEM for an inventory of lead in the service lines of projects. The inventory is required to be completed by October 16, 2024, to be in compliance with Federal guidelines. The Council approved Resolution No. 2024-05#8, for a forgivable loan from ADEM, to finance this project. Henline said a local Greene County company should be eligible to do this inventory work, since it does not require construction licenses and other requirements. Companies interested in doing the work should contact her office in Northport, Alabama (phone 205/330-0098) to request an RFP packet. The deadline for proposals is June 28, 2024.

At the recommendation of Councilman Jonathon Woodruff, the Council approved an amended policy for the use of city vehicles that would end the policy of allowing police officers to drive cars home even if they live outside the city limits. Woodruff argued that since the police were receiving higher salaries, they no longer needed the benefit of driving cars home. Mayor Johnson objected and said allowing police officers to drive city vehicles home would allow them to respond to emergencies in a more timely manner. The Council voted 4 to 0, over the mayor’s objections, to approve the amended policy.

The Council approved a recommendation from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser that they seek $130,000 in matching funds from Sheriff Benison for the Lower Gainesville Road and Streetscape Projects. The Sheriff is no longer giving municipalities a set amount of bingo funds each month, but he is willing to consider specific requests for bingo fund allocations.

The Council received a series of reports from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser, concerning the City’s finances. Liverman reported that at current rates of revenues and expenses, the City would end this fiscal year on September 30, 2024, in a deficit position unless the city watched finances closely. He recommended that the city increase water and sewer rates as these activities are not generating enough funds to cover expenses. He recommended closing the Robert H. Young Community Center because of high utility bills.

Councilman Woodruff asked what the City of Eutaw charges to dig graves outside the city, since he said he saw city staff and equipment digging a grave at a church in Clinton. The Mayor said there was a policy on this that she would have to research. She also said that she was not aware the specific instance that Councilman Woodruff was raising.

In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

• Approved travel and expenses for City Council members and staff to attend various trainings in the coming months.
• Approved placement of an antenna for the Greene County Fire Association on the Boligee Water Tank.
• Approved 2023 Municipal Water Pollution Prevention report from consultants, Living Waters.
• Tabled a request to pay light and gas bills for the Goodson Storm Shelter, which is in the Eutaw fire district, pending a discussion with the City Attorney.
• Took no action on a request to acquire a credit card account with Citizens Trust Bank.
• Approved use of the Robert H. Young Community Center for the Greene County Children’s Policy Council and the University of Alabama Center for Business Research. Denied approval to Order of Eastern Stars #699 and Eutaw High Class of 1979, because their events did serve a public purpose.
• Discussed the arrangements with the Sixth Day Saddle Club on their use of the City’s Lock 7 Park. Councilwoman Hunter said that members of the Saddle Club were blocking other city residents from using the park. The Mayor agreed to gather more information to decide on control of the park and locking and unlocking of the gates to the park.
• Approved payment of monthly bills.

Eutaw City Council approves engineering contract for resurfacing West End Avenue

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Mayor Latasha Johnson presents certificates for completion of the University of Alabama, Municipal Clerks Academy to SheKelvia Spencer and Joe Lee Powell.

At its regular meeting on April 23,2024, the Eutaw City Council approved an engineering contract, for $47,000 with Thompson Engineering of Tuscaloosa for the resurfacing of West End Avenue from CR 131 to US 11 (approximately 1.374 miles). The engineering proposal was submitted by Craig P. Williams, PE. The funding for this construction project comes from the state’s Rebuild Alabama Program, funded with gas tax revenues.

Much of the meeting was devoted to financial considerations, which face the City because it no longer receives regular monthly distributions of bingo funds from the Sheriff Benison. The last monthly payment was in May 2023 and since that time the city and other municipalities in Greene County no longer receive distributions from electronic bingo.

Financial Adviser, Ralph Liverman, provided the City Council with a report comparing city revenues with expenses for the first six months of the current fiscal year (October 1, 2023, to March 31,2024). For the General Fund, which supports most city administration and services, he reported revenues collected of $1,550,603 (63% of budget) and expenditures of
$1,392,484 (59%). He also warned that the highest collection months for property, business license and other taxes come at the beginning of the year. There is a budget surplus of $113,459, in the General Fund, for the current fiscal year, which may cover additional expenditures, if the Council is cautious in spending and staffing.

For the Water Fund, he reported $344,925 (51%) of budgeted revenues, for the six months, and expenses of $363,128 (55%), which represent a deficit for the period. Similarly, in the Sewer Fund, there were revenues of $113,938 (52%) with expenses of $196,456 (75%), for a deficit for the initial six months of the fiscal year.

Liverman also reported a balance of $104,262 in the 4-Cent Gas Tax Fund. $100,000 of these funds are in reserve to pay the city’s matching fund for the Streetscape Project, for which construction has started. The 7-Cent Gas Tax Fund has a balance of $7,416, which the city uses for street repair and maintenance work.

Liverman also pointed out that the City does not earn enough revenue from its properties, specifically the Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly the Carver School) to justify keeping the facility open. The Mayor and the Council feel that the community programs, recreation, and education justify keeping the Center open.

Council member Hunter asked the Mayor if the changes in work hours, to our five-day work week, with Thursdays and Friday off had been implemented. The Mayor said that the reduction in hours had been made, but street workers were working a full day Thursday and taking off a full day Friday. Other city employees are working half a day on Thursdays and Fridays. Councilwoman Hunter said she would be monitoring overtime closely to make sure these changes resulted in savings. Mayor Johnson said, “I do not want to layoff any employees. People need a job to support their families. I will reduce staff if we absolutely must.” Councilwoman Stewart asked if closing City Hall would inconvenience residents seeking to pay bills and was assured that this was not a problem.

Councilwoman Hunter asked about the status of securing a credit card for the city’s business. Efforts were made to secure a credit card from Merchants and Farmers Bank but were not completed. The Council recommended contacting Regions Bank to secure a credit card. Councilwoman Watkins reported potholes that need to be repaired on Roebuck Avenue and Thomas Avenue. Councilwoman Hunter reported similar problems in Branch Heights. The Mayor said she would order materials and have the potholes filled and fixed.

Mayor Johnson announced that the City was holding ‘Tony Rice Day’ on Thursday April 25, 2024, at 1:30 PM at the Courthouse Square, to honor and commemorate a city employee that was killed in an accident, fixing a sewer leak in Branch Heights, the year before. She also announced the Dedication of the Robert H. Young Community Center, on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Noon, since a formal ceremony had never been held. The Chief of Police announced that on May 14, 2024, the City will have a parade and program to honor First Responders.

In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

• Heard a complaint, by Joe Fricks, of cars speeding on Boligee Street (Hwy 11) in front of his house, which makes it difficult to get in and out of his driveway. He suggested that more police patrols were needed. The Police Chief responded that he only had one officer on duty on each shift and that it would not be possible to respond to all requests in the city.

• Approved a Zoning Board recommendation that Bobby Terrell, of 201 O’Neal Street, be allowed to replace his mobile home, which burned down, with a new mobile home.

• Approved several groups, including West Alabama Works and AT&T/FirstNet for free usage of the R. H. Young Community Center for a public purpose meeting.

• Agreed to purchase a banner for the Eutaw Saddle Club for the horse arena in the Lock 7 City Park.

• Heard a report that the Sheriff granted $40,800, in bingo funds, to the Eutaw Fire Department to update safety equipment.

• Complimented the Litter Committee for a successful clean-up day, in Eutaw, on Saturday April 20, 2024.

• Agreed to pay bills as presented.

Eutaw City Council holds routine meeting

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Gloria Mobley shows soiled sheet she washed in City of Eutaw water, after a water line repair, without notice to flush out lines.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2023, the Eutaw City Council held its regular second meeting of the month. The Council handled routine business approving contracts related to street repairs, storm debris collection, and repairs to the City Park, off the Lock 7 Road.
The Mayor, four city council persons, the clerk, assistant clerk, and other city employees were present. Council member LaJeffrey Carpenter of District 2 was absent.
At the beginning of the meeting the Mayor, Council, and Legal Counsel held a forty-four-minute Executive Session (from 5:07 to 5:51 PM) to discuss the good name and character of city employees and legal matters.
When the Council returned to the public session, they received financial reports on the first five months of the fiscal year, from October 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, a report on a franchise payment for 2023 by Alabama Power Company and a utility revenue collections report, prepared by Ralph Liverman, financial adviser.

The Council approved a payment of $10,100 to Jasper Means Construction Company for his work on Roberts Street. The Council also approved a contract with J&L Environmental and Tree Services for additional storm debris clean-up.

The Council also approved a contract with EOS Utility Systems from Mississippi to operate and monitor the city’s wastewater system. The company will work with city employees on maintaining the lagoon and wastewater pumping stations daily, while EOS will make weekly monitoring visits and sign off on reports to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
The weekend of July 21-23, 2023, was approved as a “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday”, for purchase of school clothes and supplies, exempt from sales taxes.

In other business:

• The Council approved letting of bids for repair of the City Park, at Lock 7 Road, from storm damage.

• Approved travel for city employees for training and per diem expenses for the Chief of Police to attend a Jefferson County Police and Sheriff’s Captain Development Program in Birmingham on March 29-31, 2023.
• Approved Mayor Johnson’s suggestion of three names to the State of Alabama for appointment to the County Board of Equalization. The three names submitted were James D. Powell, Tommy Armour, and Mary R. McInnis.

• Approved payment of bills and claims.

In the public comments section of the meeting, Gloria Mobley of West End, reported that she had washed her clothes the prior week, after the city restored water service, after repairing a leak. She said she did not realize there was a brown sediment in the water that ruined some of her clothes, towels, and sheets. Mobley asked for assistance from the City to purchase replacements for the items soiled in the wash, with city water.

The Mayor and Corey Martin, Water Operator, stated that there was nothing that the city could do for Ms. Mobley. Corey Martin insisted that he had sent out a “code-red” notice in that area of the city advising residents of the water problem. Mobley said that she never received the code-red call.

At the end of the meeting, Mobley showed a bag of clothes that she had washed three times, which were still soiled and looking beige not white.
Mobley was not satisfied with the response that she should have heeded the code-red and flushed out her lines before washing her clothes.

A knowledgeable observer of city business suggested that the City Council should have granted Mobley two- or three-months water service credit in exchange for the damage to her clothes and personal items

Eutaw City Council reviews finances;
makes board appointments

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The Eutaw City Council met on Monday, November 7, 2022 for its regular first meeting of the month. The meeting was held on Monday because the second Tuesday was an election day.

The Council held an announced public hearing  at the start of the meeting to approve a resolution to vacate a city owned easement for an alley on the old Family Dollar property on Greensboro Avenue. City Attorney, Zane Willingham, explained that there is a possibility that the property will be used for a Jack’s Restaurant franchise and that the alley needed to be officially removed, so as not to be a barrier to attracting the business to the city.

Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser, reported that the city’s financial records for the past fiscal year, ending September 30, 2022 had been completed and were ready to be transmitted to the auditors. He also reported that for the month of October 2022, the records showed that sales taxes and other revenues, exceed the 8.25% monthly projection and that most expenses were in line with the proposed budget.

Financial reports on the month of October for the General Fund, USDA Loan Payment and Reserve Accounts and the Utility Revenue Collections and transfers, were presented to the Council for their information. The annual payment to USDA on the current water system loan is due at the end of the calendar year. The reports show funds available for the payment and the accumulation of proper reserves for major repairs to the system.

The Council appointed Carrie Logan on the Eutaw Historic Preservation Board, to replace Diana Liverman, who resigned. The Council appointed Jim Logan to replace Rev. James Carter, who passed away, on the Eutaw Airport Board. The Council tabled the replacement of Rodney Wesley to the Greene County EMS Board, representing the city. He has resigned the position.

The Council heard a report from Corey Martin, City Water and Sewer Operator. Martin said the city was developing a plan to deal with a large pile of debris at the City Landfill. The city can no long burn materials it collects and must develop a plan for disposal of the materials in other landfills.

Martin reported that the city had replaced valves on tanks and made numerous repairs to leaks in the water lines which reduced water loss on a monthly basis from 70% in July to 34.3% in October. The city water and sewer lines have been mapped which will help in making repairs and determining the classification and need for additional fire hydrants.

The Council approved payment of all bills and claims and agreed to pay a scheduled employee bonus from American Rescue Plan Act funds with the next payroll on December 2, 2022, instead of waiting until the end of the year.

Eutaw City Council receives reports on finances, sales tax collection and Water Department

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At its regular meeting on November 23, 2021, the Eutaw City Council received reports in its budget, bank accounts, sales tax collections and the Water Department.

Two Council members were absent – LaJeffrey Carpenter and Tracy Hunter – but a quorum was present which allowed the meeting to proceed.

Based on recommendations from their Financial Adviser, Ralph Liverman, the Council reviewed and approved several bank resolutions to close several certificates of deposit and place checking accounts into money market accounts, which will earn interest on surplus funds on deposit in these bank accounts.

Liverman also presented a detailed report on the opening balances in all city banking and operational accounts as of the start of the fiscal year on October 1, 2021.

The most interesting report that Liverman furnished was a record of sales tax and motor fuel revenues received by the City of Eutaw over the past three fiscal years, which shows the impact of the Love’s Travel Center in significantly increasing the tax revenues paid to the City of Eutaw.

A chart summarizing this information is included in this news report. The chart shows revenues for the three fiscal years, FY2018-2019, which was the year before Love’s opened for business, FY 2019-2020, which includes the first eleven months of Love’s operation and FY 2020-2021, which includes a full year of the truck stop and travel center operations.

The chart shows an increase of sales taxes from $530,962 before Love’s, to $772,756 for last year, which was a full year of operation for the travel center. This is an increase of $ 241,794 or 31%

The fuel tax increase, which is based on 3 cents per gallon, increased from $54,798 to $472,377, which is an astounding increase of
$ 417,574 or 762%.

Overall sales tax and motor fuel revenues increased from $692,730 to $1,515,045, which was an increase of $822,315 or 119%. On a monthly basis this represents $126,253 in tax revenues added to the city budget.

Note that the total sales tax rate in Greene County is 10% of which 3% goes to the municipality, in this case the City of Eutaw; 3% to the County Commission, and 4% to the State of Alabama. So, the county government and State of Alabama are receiving similar increases in revenues, to those received by the City of Eutaw.

It should also be noted that much of the increase in tax revenues which is attributed to the Love’s Travel Center were from people traveling through Greene County on Interstate 20/59, not from residents of the city or the county.

The Eutaw Water Department reported continuing progress in collections and reducing water losses. The City collected over $75,000 in water revenues for November 2021, which was about double what had been collected in previous years. There are 1,461 customers, with 12 new customers of which 9 were customers found, who previously had not been billed. There are still 534 accounts with $63,469 past due and receivable, some of which are under payment agreements.

In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

• Did not approve, November 24, the day before Thanksgiving for a full day paid vacation for employees. They left this benefit at a half day.

• Approved changes in the right-of-way for utilities and access to Raintree Apartments LLC and a similar adjustment for Rollingwoods Apartments.

• Heard reports from the City Engineer and Chief of Police.

• Agreed to pay bills for November 2021.