By Nathan Prewett
MOODY – On Monday, March 25 the Moody City Council approved a recently completed audit of the city’s finances before approving a SIDA agreement for the sewer project, and a subordination agreement for the development of the upcoming Starz Events center on Carl Jones Road.
A brief overview of the audit was presented by Councilman Lynn Taylor, who heads the finance committee. The audit was given an unmodified opinion by the firm, Truitt, Tingle, Paramore and Argent, which is considered the highest that an audit can receive, he said.
Taylor pointed out several highlights, starting with tax revenues increasing during 2023, bringing in $14.3 million in total revenue. Expenses increased to $11 million, partly due to an increase in public safety, social services and recreation.
Approximately $5.4 million in capital assets were purchased, including the purchase of vehicles for the fire, police and public works departments, as well as the new police station that is nearing completion.
The city retired $2.2 million in debt. There is still some debt from the sewer project but it is being paid by revenues and not from the general fund, Taylor said.
“Overall it was a great year for the city and the finances,” he stated. “We had a good surplus and we will continue to manage the costs. It is our judiciary duty to manage the funds received and make sure they are used in a manner that benefits the city.”
Afterwards the council voted to enter into a SIDA compliance agreement with the Governmental Utility Service Corporation of Moody (GUSCM), Kelly Creek Commerce Park and the Commercial Development Authority for the City of Moody (CDA).
This was part of the development of the sewer project that will extend it into the Kelly Creek Commerce Park property. Mayor Joe Lee said that the project is an estimated $700,000 and it is partly funded by a grant of more than $400,000 that the city received.
The council then ratified the subordination agreement, which is a contract that prioritizes certain debts over others. The family event center is set to take $1.2 million to develop. The debt to the city will be paid through taxes.
The center was approved by the city in January 2023 and will feature family-friendly activities such as bowling.
In other business the council:
- Purchased ammo and supplies for the police department for a cost not to exceed $2,000,
- Approved advertising and hiring for part-time splash pad Employees for the 2024 season,
- Approved a request from Civic Center Director Mike Staggs to send two employees to Your Town Leadership Workshop on April 3-5 for a cost not to exceed $800,
- Approved Staggs’ request to build out a portion of the Civic Center second floor for a cost not to exceed $22,000,
- Approved a request from Fire Chief Larry Horton to have the yearly arial test done on Truck 4 for a cost not to exceed $1,300,
- Approved Horton’s request to promote a fire department employee to lieutenant,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase medical supplies for $725,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase boots and helmets for a cost not to exceed $2,300,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase vehicle maintenance supplies for a cost not to exceed $875,
- Approved sending two city employees to attend the Annual Alabama Municipal Revenue Officers Conference on July 31 to Aug. 2 for a cost not to exceed $1,700 each,
- Approved Project No. ATRP2-58-2023-350 Letter of Agreement for the City of Moody as the sponsoring local government agency of road improvements at the intersection of Washington and Verbena and the intersection of Hwy 411 and High School Dr., and
- Approved a resolution that the City of Moody agrees to be responsible for overruns on the awarded 2023 ATRIP- II Project. No. ATRP2-58-2023-350.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.