By Lee Weyhrich
The city of Clay now has a contingency fund in case of an emergency.
The Clay City Council has set aside $50,000 for use in a disaster situation. An additional $50,000 in funds from the general fund has also been set aside for road projects.
The city of Clay was hit hard by an EF-3 tornado on Jan. 23, 2012. Six neighborhoods were affected, resulting in 321 damaged homes, 170 of which suffered heavy to severe damage. One person, 16-year-old Christina Heichelbech, died in the tornado, and 40 to 50 people were treated and transported to area hospitals.
City Manager Ronnie Dixon said these funds were among many steps the current administration is taking toward fiscal responsibility.
In other news, Mayor Charles Webster announced that the city may receive the police cars it has been wanting at no charge. The city currently employs two full-time deputies along with a handful of reserve deputies. The reserve deputies are limited by equipment.
“We talked to the people in Irondale and told them about our need,” Webster said. “They said they were looking to get rid of some of their cars. They would have to check some things but they would like to just donate them to us.”
The additional cars would allow for greater police coverage in Clay by reserve deputies.
The city council also honored the other major source of emergency service in Clay, the Center Point Fire District. The council proclaimed May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week in honor of the work done by Center Point Fire District. Fireman Brad Appleton was on hand to receive the award on the department’s behalf.