By Nathan Prewett
MOODY – At a regular meeting on Monday, March 8, 2021, the Moody City Council meeting began with reports for the month of February from department heads, including the Moody Police Department and the Moody Fire Department.
Moody Police Chief Thomas Hunt reported 1,058 calls, 38 arrests, 62 warning tickets, 179 citations, 67 misdemeanors, 41 felonies, and 15,499 miles were driven.
Moody Fire Department Chief Larry Horton reported 145 responses, six fires (three vehicle, three woods and grass or other), 81 emergency medical calls, 18 public service, eight vehicle assists, 12 false alarms, and 14 wrecks. Dispatch enroute time was one minute and 41 seconds, and dispatch to arrival was six minutes and one second.
After the reports were read, the council heard from member Lynn Taylor, who is head of the finance committee. He said that the audit for Sept. 30, 2020, by Truitt, Tingle, Paramore, and Argent, LLC for Moody was successful, saying that auditors were satisfied with the numbers reported.
The report received an unmodified opinion, which Taylor said was the highest level opinion that auditors can give.
“First off, I want to thank the city staff and everyone that participated in the audit to make it such a successful audit,” he said.
Taylor said that tax revenue had increased by approximately $1 million. Expenses increased by $545,000 primarily due to public safety expenses. Approximately $600,000 in new assets, including police and fire equipment, as well as equipment for parks and recreation.
Taylor mentioned the sewer project that he said would keep the sewer system “working well”.
“Overall, it was a great year for the city and its finances have really helped a lot,” he said.
In other business the council:
- Approved a request from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Staggs to renew an annual subscription for a rec desk for $4,050,
- Approved Staggs’s request to replace the ballast and bulbs for the Moody Civic Center for $451.92,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase an EZ OI gun with needles for $1400,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase medical supplies for $1,000,
- Approved Hunt’s request for tires and brakes for car 349 for $888.31,
- Approved Hunt’s request to purchase two tires for car 347 for $355.77,
- Approved Hunt’s request to purchase steel plates for weapon training for $1,216.85,
- Approved Hunt’s request to approve FireArms Training Simulation (FATS) for 18 officers,
- Approved Hunt’s request to purchase new tires for car 352 for $662, and
- Approved Hunt’s request to send Officer Jim Headley to animal control school at Jacksonville State for $650.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.