By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY, Ala.–The Moody City Council adopted its 2024-25 budget during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, which includes what has been said to be the city’s biggest total revenue to date.
Councilor Lynn Taylor, who chairs the finance committee, thanked all of those involved in putting the budget together and expressed confidence in it.
Under the budget, the city is projecting $12.8 million in revenue and $10.9 in government utility services revenue.
Combined with its general fund balance and reserves, the city’s total revenue is expecting to be about $35.3 million, over $2 million more than last year’s revenues.
Moody’s projected total expenditures under the budget amount to $17.9 million with the majority devoted to the city’s operating budget of about $9.9 million and government utility services costs at around $4.9 million.
Other expenses included debt service and capital projects including the storm shelter and the trails at Kelly Creek Park.
“That’s the largest budget the city’s had in the 33 years I’ve been here,” said Mayor Joe Lee. “We continue to grow.”
The budget was adopted unanimously.
Prior to that, the council heard monthly reports from department heads.
Police Chief Reece Smith reported 1,123 calls, 31 traffic accidents, 136 written tickets, 108 reports written, 69 misdemeanors, 20 felonies, five juvenile cases and 46 total arrests made.
Police vehicle maintenance costs amounted to $6,993.85.
Fire Chief Larry Horton reported 152 total responses, four fires (one residential, one vehicle, two woods, grass or rubbish), 90 emergency medical calls, 11 vehicle accidents, 17 public services, 18 lift assists, 12 false alarms and mutual aid received one time.
The average dispatch to en route time was one minute and 48 seconds and the average dispatch to arrival time was seven minutes and 12 seconds.
There were 78 annual inspections, 12 re-inspections, and one fire pump inspection.
In other business, the council:
- Approved a request from Library Director Sara Roberts to renew the library website hosting and maintenance for $2,190,
- Approved Roberts’ request to fund a Coosa Valley RC&D Council grant for a community gardening station at the Doris Stanley Memorial Library for $5,000,
- Approved Roberts’ request to purchase a Flex-Space Lounge and Learn Couch for the children’s area for $749,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase five sets of turnout gear for a cost not to exceed $20,000,
- Approved Horton’s request to advertise and hire one full-time position,
- Approved Horton’s request to renew the yearly advertisement for part-time positions,
- Approved a request from Lee to repair the AC unit at city hall for a cost not to exceed $2,500, and
- Authorized the city to participate in the Bridge Investment Program Planning grant to receive additional funding for projects on I-20 and the Kelly Creek Road bridge.
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.
