Jasper City Council, On Tuesday, OK'd $19.26 Million Budget

During Tuesday's regularly scheduled meeting of the Jasper City Council, the council unanimously approved a fiscal year revenue budget of nearly $19.26 million dollars.

City clerk Kathy Chambless reported to the Council that the city is expected to have a remaining funds balance of approximately $429,700 when the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. This came as good news to Council members who heard from Chambless at a Sept. 16 Council work session that the city was expected to be $356,233 in the red by the end of fiscal year 2011.

According to Chambless, most of that expected red ink is due to the sales tax decrease caused by the downward slide of city revenue. Chambless said revenue from sales tax was down 4.75 percent from last year.

However, the city has been able to make up for these losses by decreasing its costs through a reduction in its workforce and other means. Chambless says that general fund revenues have decreased by $370,000 from last year.

Officials have trimmed several departments' budgets since September when city officials held a work session to discuss the upcoming budget. Councilor Johnny Rollins says the most significant reductions came from the city's parks and recreation, street and sanitation departments. Rollins said that about $200,000 was cut from the original fiscal year budget.

Chambless said several other departments are also making sacrifices in order to save money for the city.

Council president Gary Cowen said the city is in better shape financially than many other municipalities that are "looking at huge holes." Cowen also pointed out that the Jasper officials also began reviewing the city's finances more frequently when it began to be affected by the economy.

In other business at Tuesday's meeting, the Council:

*Granted approval of a retail beer and wine for off-premise consumption alcohol license for Ramzan Jiwani and Navrooazli S. Ladhani doing business as RJ's No. 1, located at 1206 Highway 69 South.

• *Agreed to renew the contract with Hanson Pipe to provide concrete pipe for an additional 12 months.

• *Adopted a resolution to enter into a contract for $1,000 with the Heritage Day Committee to promote Jasper during the Heritage Day Activities on Oct. 16. Mayor Sonny Posey said the city will help with cleaning up after the event.

• *Set the cost for five recent nuisance abatements. Despite being notified by certified mail regarding the public hearing being held Tuesday on the matter, none of the property owners made their presence known at the meeting.

• *Heard from James Hood who expressed concern about the unkempt appearance of the city's District 5. Hood said, "It's like that's the city's dump." Hood asked if the city could have a cleanup day. Sandi Sudduth, the councilor for District 5, said her church is planning a cleanup day soon and is seeking volunteers.

Town Of Parrish Set To Begin Beautification Award Program

Recently, Parrish Town Council member Cedric Ramsey introduced the Town of Parrish Beautification Award program to further help promote a positive, community image for the town.

According to Ramsey, the Town of Parrish Community Beautification Award was developed to recognize the efforts of residents, churches and businesses that improve overall appearance of the community through the enhancement of their property and every homeowner, church, and business is invited and encouraged to participate.

Fall competition for the award began on Oct. 1 and concludes on Thursday, Oct. 7, with the mayor and the town council awarding the winners a proclamation at the Parrish Town Council meeting on Oct. 12.

The award will be judged on basic overall appearance, maintenance, creativity and design/color coordination and will be awarded to first-place, second-place and third-place winners. Categories include residential, commercial and church/school competitions.

Beautification is often thought of as a key aspect of community development and an easy way to bring the citizens of that community together. Towns and cities frequently embark on beautification projects to refurbish their downtown areas and historic districts, as well a way to boost tourism and other commerce. Also, award recipients serve as an example for the entire Town of Parrish community and help to enhance our town image.