Councilman's Goal: Cut Garbage Fees/Give Employee Raises

Mixon

TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF TO RESIDENTS

At Monday's Council meeting, Council President Lonnie Mixon set as his goal for the 2012 Budget Committee "a one year cancellation of garbage, trash and recycling fees to all Fairhope residents, commencing Oct 1 of this year . . . to assist individual residents in this time of economic stress."

IMPROVED CITY FINANCES MAKES POSSIBLE

Mixon said it was possible because of the hard work of the council ("hard decisions"), financial committees, department heads and staff -- that created  greatly increased cash reserves (emergency funds), reduced transfers from utilities, and an improved credit rating for the city.

EMPLOYEE RAISES AND OTHER GOALS

Mixon also set finding funding for merit and promotional raises for city employees as a goal for the committee -- as well as maintaining the city's overall financial health and funding  infrastructure improvements (streets, sewage plant, water tower, et al).

(Mixon added later a study to compare current employee salaries with other comparable cities' would need to be completed before finalizing the raises.)

2012 BUDGET COMMITTEE APPOINTED

The 2012 Budget  Committee will consist of Stan Grubin, Gail Gardiner, Charles Zunk, Mayor Kant, Mixon.

OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPOND

Councilman Kingrea said he thought it was a good way to "give back to citizens" but "only if we can afford it;" and Debbie Quinn thought Mixon's proposals should be allowed to filter through the various committees first -- to  determine feasibility.

Mayor Kant said he thought canceling garbage fees (currently $12.80/mo) would reduce city revenue by about $1.2 million next year.

The city council must approve the yearly budget by majority vote (usually in September).