By Terry Schrimscher, For The Tribune
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council met for the first regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday night, November 1, creating four new jobs within the city.
The Council passed a resolution to create an administrative clerk position in the Building department and another resolution creating an administrative clerk position in the Police department.
The Springville Public Library also received approval from the Council to hire two part-time positions at the library. The new positions were previously listed as one new job, but the roles are being split.
In the work session prior to the meeting, Mayor Dave Thomas and Police Chief Wayne Walton addressed the need to revisit the annual budget due to the need to hire officers for the city’s new plan to manage traffic flow around the elementary and middle schools.
The new traffic plan is expected to be released in coming weeks.
Job listings and employment applications for the city of Springville can be found online at www.cityofspringville.com/employment.
The Council also amended the FY 2021-2022 budget to accommodate for annual longevity pay. Springville approved the additional pay ordinance for long-term employees in 2018 and distributes the funds in December each year.
Longevity pay is expected to total $26,042.50 and will come from surplus funds in the existing budget.
The Council approved the FY 2021-2022 budget in October. The budget is $11,167,741 including $ 7,997,320 in the general fund and $ 2,590,040 for water and sewer. Although the funds for longevity pay already exist, the amended budget will designate those funds accordingly.
City Attorney James Hill presented a new employee handbook for the city during the work session prior to the meeting. Hill detailed some minor changes in part-time hours as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. He also recommended making future distinctions for exempt and non-exempt employees.
The Council approved the new handbook in the regular session.
In other business, the Council approved participation in the State of Alabama’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The 11th state holiday begins Friday, February 25, 2022, and ends at midnight, Sunday, February. 27.
The holiday provides tax savings for common supplies deemed useful during weather emergencies. Items such as batteries, weather radios, phone chargers, and other items under $60 are covered in the tax holiday. The tax savings also apply to the single purchase of a power generator under $1000.
The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the acceptance of an EDA grant with CDG Engineers as consultants to study the city’s sewers. The Council also approved financing from Metro Bank for the previously approved purchase of vehicles for the Springville Fire Department.
Mike Ennis spoke to the Council to introduce the new Springville Area Rotary Club members serving the local community. Among other projects, the club will build book boxes to be placed around the city, which will be stocked and maintained by Better Basics, a literacy nonprofit.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2021, with a work session at 5:30 p,m. prior to the 6 p.m. meeting.