Scottsboro's Police Department (photo by G. Morgan)
The big news at last nights City Council meeting work session: 1) The City of Scottsboro will be spending $137,045.00 for new police vehicles. 2 new SUV's for investigators and 3 new Dodge patrol cars, all outfitted with equipment which will cost an additional $10,350.00 per unit. The autos per state bid were reported to cost $23,371 each. Total of $102,363.00 for the patrol cars. The 2 SUV's will be funded with FTA (failure to appear) funds. A budget amendment will be required for $72,000. It was also stated the total cost will be $137,045. There were no explanations given for the discrepancies in the total figures other than the FTA funds will be utilized for the purchase of the 2 SUV's, costing approximately $55,000. (It is written the way it was presented.)
In other business: 2) Mr. Brooks Hall made a presentation concerning a request to raise fines for alcohol related offenses and sales taxes for alcohol sales. He suggested the additional money raised be utilized for education and treatment programs for alcoholism. He also suggested the additional revenues be utilized for transportation of inebriated people within the city. Mr. Brooks has spoken several times in opposition of alcohol sales license stating, "alcohol causes an increase in crime, domestic abuse and sexual abuse." 3) Mayor discussed the closing of the railroad crossing at North Broad Street. Mayor Potter also discussed the Cemetery Department will be needing 3 new mowers.
Citizen presentation: Garry Morgan requested a local ordinance be implemented to enhance existing ethics laws involving elected and appointed officials receiving benefits as a result of holding public office. Elected and appointed officials receive reduced rates at city facilities while citizens pay full price. This is the second request and did not seem to be warmly received. Click on image below for an expanded view of the request.
I have also received information that the City of Scottsboro has been paying twice the amount for city bond sales commission fees for many years equalling millions of dollars to the agent as compared to other municipalities. For example: The City of Ft. Payne may be charged a 1.5% commission fee for a bond issue sale while the City of Scottsboro is paying 3% for the same sales commission. Information has been received, I have seen the document presented, but not by the document's originator, the facts have been reported in a 3-4 page analysis with definitive figures which have been presented to the City Council and Mayor with reference source. It was also reported that at least one local press agency received the same report. There has been no release of any of this information to the public. The city's last bond issue seller commission involving the recreation complex and streets improvement was more equal to other municipality sales commission rates.
Scottsboro's debt situation is begining to demonstrate poor management. Worse, there seems to be a moral values disconnect between serious needs vs. influential citizen demands. For example: Roseberry Rescue Group vs The Jackson County Rescue Squad; city soccer fields and splash park vs storm shelters in at least 3 other locations of the city. That is not to mention the neglect demonstrated in the community on the North Side of the tracks of our fair city.
The Daily Sentinel Report: Impact Learning Center to move in April - http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_2d391222-6725-11e1-881b-001871e3ce6c.html
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