Greene County Democrat

Tag: Ralph Liverman

  • 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.

  • Eutaw City Council receives positive financial news; approves funding for August 26 municipal election, begins absentee voting

    Special to the Democrat by John Zippert,
    Co-Publisher

    This is a report of the two regular Eutaw City Council meetings on July 8 and 22, 2025. Mayor Latasha Johnson and all five City Council members were present except Valarie Watkins at the July 8 meeting and Tracey Hunter at the July 22 meeting.
    At the July 22nd meeting the Eutaw City Council received positive financial news from Ralph Liverman, Financial Advisor, who submitted a financial report for the nine months of the fiscal year from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
    Liverman pointed out that the City of Eutaw had repaid all but two payments on a $500,000 loan from Merchants and Farmers Bank taken out in 2021, with a 3.5% interest rate, to purchase new equipment to maintain streets in the city. The remaining payments of $22,338.16 will be made by September 15, 2025.
    This fulfills a promise made by Mayor Johnson for responsible handling of the financial affairs of the city, by paying off this needed loan during her first term in office. Liverman indicates that this will free up $134,028 of funds for use in the General Fund, for the new annual budget for 2025-26. This additional funding may help the city get other needed equipment and staff to repair potholes, culverts and other street problems.
    A second piece of good news was a report from Liverman of General Fund Revenue and Expenses for 9 months of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Liverman states in his report, “ As of June 30, 2025, you should have collected at least 75% of the budgeted revenues for the fiscal year, and your expenditures should not exceed 75% of the budgeted amount.”
    “As of June 30, 2025, you have collected 97% of budgeted revenues. It is obvious that you will exceed the budgeted projection for revenues.

    All of your major revenue sources such as property tax, franchise tax, sales tax, and privilege licenses have or should exceed 100% of budgeted amounts.”
    “General Fund Expenditures are running at 78% of budgeted amounts, but most of your single payment items (such as insurance) have been paid. Unless some major event happens, you should end your fiscal year with a surplus in the General Fund.”
    These reports were in the council member’s meeting packets but were not analyzed and discussed by the members in the public meeting. This was strange to me, as a reporter who regularly covers Council meetings, since the Council professes great concern about its powers to oversee and approve city finances. In fact, the Council has used limited finances to justify rejecting the Mayor Johnson’s requests to buy a new tractor and mowers, increase staff and staff pay, even rejecting some trips for city staff to travel to training, as part of their supervision of finances.
    There was another example of this strict financial supervision at the start of the July 22nd meeting. The Mayor asked to add payment to two contractors for grass cutting at the Mesopotamia and Clarence Thomas cemeteries. Councilman Woodruff objected to considering payment of this item until he and the Council received more information justifying this expense. Mayor Johnson said the grass in the cemeteries needed cutting and this expense was in the budget, so as part of her day-to-day authority she had the grass cut. Woodruff’s motion initially prevailed to block payment for the cemeteries to two separate contractors. However, at the end of the meeting, the Council approved payment of bills including grass cutting at the cemeteries.
    At the July 22nd meeting, the Council approved a resolution (No. 2025-8) providing $25,000 for expenses in holding the municipal election on August 26, 2025. It also approved several changes in election poll officials.

    Absentee Voting in Municipal Election is Underway

    Joe Powell, Assistant Election Manager announced that Absentee Voting is underway. Voters can come to the City Hall on Monday to Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Thursday and Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon, to request an absentee ballot for someone who is homebound. Voters can also walk-in and request an absentee ballot, if they are not going to be in town on election day to vote, and vote right then. August 19 is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot to vote by mail. August 21 is the last day to walk-in and vote absentee.
    Powell said, “We are following instructions from the Alabama Secretary of State on the rules for absentee balloting. You can go to this website to see the rules and apply for an absentee ballot, without coming to City Hall to vote by mail in this election, if that is your preference. Be aware that you will need a copy of your driver’s license, or acceptable state ID, to get an absentee ballot and vote in this election.”
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved Resolution No. 2025-9 for Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday for February 20-22, 2026.
    • Approved travel for City Attorney Zane Willingham and City Judge Joshua Swords to attend annual Municipal Law Conferences.
    • Approved payment of claim of $89 for Christopher Branch.
    • Approved recommendation from Zane Willingham on Planning Commission rezoning.
    • Approved payment of $1,976 for annual dues to the Alabama League of Municipalities
    • Approved payment of $952 for annual dues to National League of Cities.
    • Approved payment of bills, including grass cutting in the cemeteries.

    Mayor Johnson announced that a public hearing would be held in August concerning sidewalks and a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Highway14 and Highway 43. The date will be announced later.
    Chief of Police Johnson announced Police Night Out will be held September 9 at 5:00 PM at Carver School to improve community relations.
    Danny Cooper announced that the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce was sponsoring a political forum for all candidates in the municipal election on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Courthouse Square starting at 10:00 AM.

  • Eutaw City Council holds routine monthly meetings in April 2025

    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

    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

    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 approves fire agreement and additional contracts and requests for the water and sewer system improvements

    The Eutaw City Council met for its regular fourth Tuesday meeting on November 26, 2024. The mayor and all council members were present.

    The Council approved the Greene County Automatic Aid Agreement with the Greene County Volunteer Fire Departments which had been considered but not voted on in the last meeting.  The agreement would allow the dispatch of the closest four fire departments when a fire is reported. The four fire departments that would come to Eutaw’s assistance would be Springfield, Lower Gainesville Road, Clinton and Dollarhide. The Eutaw Fire Department would automatically be dispatched to fires in these four rural nearby communities.

    The Council referred the lease agreement with the West Alabama Action Group to its attorney, Zane Willingham. He will meet with the group to refine the agreement to rent the Grubbs/E911 Building for three years in exchange for repairs it would make to the building. Willingham will work out a listing of the specific repairs and costs for inclusion in the agreement before it is brought back to the council for a vote.

    Th Council approved a contract, recommended by Engineer Angela Henline, with the Cassady Company in Northport. This Contract “E” will replace portions of the 16-inch water main, between Lola Wallace Young Road and the Boligee Connector, was awarded to Capstone Contractors, who submitted the low bid of $635,481. Henline said this was the last of the contracts for improvement of the joint Eutaw -Boligee Water System, which came as grants from ADEM.

    Engineer Henline also asked the Council to approve a request to ADEM for $8.3 million for additional improvement to the Eutaw Sewage System, which also serves Boligee, the Crossroads of America Industrial Park and surrounding areas. The funding would be used for improvements to the City’s lagoon, rehab of pumping stations in the city (Clarke, Branch Heights, Annie Thomas, Chevron, School, Swamp), a sewer jetter (trailer mounted) and improvement of the city’s gravity sewer system. The Council voted to approve this request.

    Mayor Latasha Johnson reported that the Project 24-1122-0016 to resurface West End Avenue was moving forward as planned.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Tabled consideration of requests from the Alabama Fiber Network for a space to place a building and equipment related to broadband in the city and the county; they also tabled a request from Eagle Internet, who propose placing a wireless tower on top of the city’s downtown water tower.

    • Received financial reports on accounts in Merchants and Farmers Bank and utility revenue collections for October, compiled by Financial Advisor, Ralph Liverman.

    • Approved annual software maintenance agreement with BBI Inc. for the city’s financial reports.

    • Approved appraisal quote from Bill Mackey Real Estate for appraisal of the R. H. Young Community Center and surrounding property.

    • Approved payment of bills.

    • Reset the date of the second meeting in December from the 24 to the 17th of December.

    The Mayor gave a report and Council members commented on it. Several residents made comments in the Public Comments of the meeting.

  • Eutaw City Council receives audit,engineering, and financial reports

    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

    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 takes up some cost saving measures to avoid budgetary shortfall

    At its Working Session on April 8 and its regular meeting on April 9, 2024, the Eutaw City Council took some steps to reduce expenditures and increase income to avoid a budget shortfall toward the end of its fiscal year, coming in the last few months of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.

    The Council was in part reacting to a mid-year financial report from Fiscal Adviser, Ralph Liverman, which showed deficits in the water and sewer department and a lack of income from rental of the Robert H. Young Community Center and other city properties. The report also indicated that the city had received no revenues from electronic bingo, distributed by the Sheriff, since May 2023. In past years, bingo funds were used to cover departmental deficits and capital improvements, like road and bridge repairs.

    The Council adopted a resolution setting rates for the short-term use of the Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver School). The general rental rate for the gymnasium space is set for $300 for use from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Non-profit entities can be exempted from rental rates, by the Eutaw City Council, if the activity is for a public purpose. The charge for funerals is $100.

    If the renter is charging admission or using the facility for fundraising an additional fee of $250 will be charged. Non-profit agencies can apply for exemption of this requirement. If alcohol is being served at a rental event, all individuals admitted must be 21 years of age and appropriate security is contracted.

    There is also a refundable $150 charge as a cleaning deposit, if the renter does not leave the property in satisfactory condition, the deposit will be forfeited, otherwise it will be refunded to the renter. No cleaning deposit will be charged for funerals.

    The Eutaw City Council approved a new work schedule for all city employees, with the exception of police officers, for a half day of work on Thursdays and Fridays (8:00 AM to Noon). This will cutback employees to a four-day week and allow the retention of all existing employees, without having to layoff anyone, while also saving some funds.

    The Council also approved a policy to limit overtime by city employees to the exact time of additional work required for emergencies. Some employees were receiving an automatic three hours for being called for overtime work. This practice will be changed to actual time worked and limited to emergencies. Some water and sewer employees were asked to do overtime work, when problems developed for residents, who has back-flow valves installed on their water meters. Mayor Johnson said she was seeking reimbursement for those overtime hours from the general contractor who handled installation of the back-flow valves.

    The Council received a report at the Work Session, from Sarah Leavelle, from the Water and Sewer Department, concerning a rate analysis, last year, from the University of North Carolina, that recommended a gradual increase in water and sewer rates. The proposal recommends an increase in the rates by 15% the first year, increasing by 5% a year over the next four years. The base rate for water, for residential customers, would increase from the current minimum of $14.41 for two thousand (2,000) gallons to $16.57 for the first year, by the end of five years, the base rate would increase to $20.14. The rate per thousand additional gallons would increase, over five years, from $5.39 to $6.88 per 1,000 gallons.

    Sewer rates would increase by a corresponding amount and help to close the deficit in these departments between revenues and expenses. The City Council will need to pass an ordinance to implement the water and sewer rate increases. The matter was referred to Zane Willingham, City Attorney, to prepare an ordinance.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved a partnership with the City and the University of Alabama’s
    Life Research Institute dealing with improving cardiovascular heath for residents.
    • Changed the signatures on the Police DARES bank account.
    • Approved payment of bills.
    • Heard a report from Courtney Ransom of vandalism at the horse arena in City Park, which was granted to her horse organization for horse shows and rides. She asked for more police presence to check the park.
    • Councilman Woodruff complimented City Police investigator for his presentation to the Grand Jury.
    • Police Chief Johnson reported that the Eutaw Police Department will hold its 4th Annual First Responders Day and Parade on May 14, 2024.
    • Sarah Leavelle reported that the City Water Department had $107,156.70 in collections for the month of March 2024, including 335 on-line payments of $27,126.13; and 1,544 active customers.

  • Eutaw City Council urged by Fiscal Advisor to increase water and sewer rates

    At its regular meeting on March 26, 2024, the Eutaw City Council was presented with financial reports, by Ralph Liverman, Fiscal Advisor on several of its funds including the General Fund, Sewer and Water Funds, 3 Cent and 7 Cent Gas Tax Funds. These reports were for the first five months of the current fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2023, until the end of February.

    In his report, Liverman pointed out that both the Water and Sewer funds were running a deficit each month of the fiscal year. The city’s Water Fund had revenues of $283,399.14 with expenditures of $363,128.88, for a deficit of $60,004.72 for the five-month period. The Sewer Fund had revenues of $94,133.56 and expenditures of $178,569.62, for a deficit of $84,436.06 for the five months.

    In his accompanying report, Liverman said, “The Council must raise both water and sewer rates and do it sooner rather than later! Current collections will not support your present expenditures and debt repayments to USDA Rural Development on loans to improve the system. He also urged a review of personnel, overtime, and other expenditures, looking for ways to cut expenses in this department.

    Liverman also indicated that the City Water and Sewer Department needed to negotiate new rates with the Consolidated Catfish Plant, which had been receiving a special incentive rate since it opened 25 years ago.

    Liverman said in the past, funds from electronic bingo were used to cover the Water and Sewer deficits, but the city was no longer receiving bingo distributions from the Sheriff of Greene County, to handle these and other expenses.

    CPA Rick Harbin, the City’s auditor, also pointed out in a previous meeting, when reviewing the city’s audit report and finances, that an increase in water and sewage rates was needed.

    The current rate for water, for residential customers in Eutaw is: $14.41 for the first 2,000 gallons and $5.39 for each additional 1,000 gallons. The sewer rate is $8.59 for the first 2,000 gallons and $1.55 for each additional 1,000 gallons. There are higher rates for small business and commercial customers.

    Sarah Levelle, Chief Water Clerk stated, “We have had some rate studies by different agencies, recommending increases. We have not increased water and sewer rates since 2015 but the cost of all our supplies and workers has increased.”

    The Council deferred action on water and sewer rates until its next working session where they could discuss the issue in more detail.

    Liverman also recommended close attention to expenditures in the city’s General Fund, especially for street repairs and for the use of city owned facilities such as the R. H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver school) and the National Guard Armory. He said rental for the use of these facilities was not covering expenditures. He recommended closing one or both facilities. Earlier in the meeting, the Council had tabled a proposal for establishing rental rates at the R. H. Young Community Center, until the next scheduled work session.

    The Council approved a resolution declaring ‘Tony Rice Day’ for April 25, 2024, the one-year anniversary of Rice’s untimely death in an accident, while working to repair a water main in Branch Heights. The Mayor also honored Dr. Sandrall Hullett, former medical director of West Alabama Health Services and the Greene County Health System, with a moment of silence on her passing.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Scheduled a Council Work Session for April 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM at City Hall.
    • Approved a loan of $5,000 to the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce for painting a mural, with repayment from reimbursable state grant funds, which can only be received after an invoice is presented for work completed.
    • Approved use of meeting space, at no cost, for a meeting on March 28, 2024, of the Black Belt Community Foundation, Greene County Associates, at R. H. Young Community Center. The meeting was to explain the availability of Arts and Community Grants by the foundation.
    • Approved closing City Hall for a holiday on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.
    • Approved payment of bills.