By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council and Mayor Buddy Choat met for an agenda workshop Thursday night, Dec. 7, 2023, to discuss the agenda for the council’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
The regular agenda includes one proclamation, two public hearings, two ordinances and two resolutions.
The council plans to begin its regular agenda with a proclamation declaring Dec. 16 as Wreaths Across America Day. Then, public hearings will be held on two proposed property rezonings, one concerning 6287 Service Road and one concerning 5998 Deerfoot Parkway. After the hearings, the council will consider ordinances on rezoning the two properties.
Also on the agenda is a resolution to abolish the City Telecommunications and Technology Committee, as well as a resolution declaring city property surplus and approving an amended real estate purchase agreement, per Resolution No. 2023-88.
On the consent agenda, the council will consider the reappointment of Sidney Gayle McNeal Jr. to the Public Building Authority, with term ending Jan. 1, 2030, and the reappointment of Tommy White and Jeremy Walker to the Public Safety Committee, with terms ending Jan. 11, 2027.
The council may also discuss the possibility of raising the city’s lodging tax, which Mayor Choat said will only affect people who travel to Trussville, not Trussville residents.
“There are different ways to do it, but I really think … we definitely need to raise it,” he said. “I think we can raise it and it doesn’t affect our citizens at all.”
Councilor Alan Taylor said the council has been looking at comparisons with other nearby cities.
“After analyzing our conversations, I think copying what Fultondale is doing at that 9% or going slightly higher to 10% on top of a modified per-day charge – because Fultondale is doing 9% and $3 a day – I think if we did that or if we did 10% and $2 a day … I think that would be reasonable,” Councilor Ben Short said. “And then there’s still quite a few cities throughout the state that are much higher than us there.”
Trussville’s lodging tax is currently at 6%. Choat said raising it will help offset the costs of events/entertainment in the city.
“I think now’s the time to do it,” he said. “… I’m open to whatever y’all agree to.”
The city council will meet in regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at 6 p.m., at the City Hall Annex.