Alexander council approves 2017 budget, annexation

The Alexander City Council approved a nearly $1.5 million budget for 2017 at its first regular meeting of the year Monday evening. This is the first regular meeting held by the new council after the November General Election. The deadline for passing the budget is February 1.

The new budget estimates revenue for the general fund at $1,233,170.00. There is a carryover of $185,761.00 from 2016 giving a total of $1,418,931.00. Total general fund expenses are estimated at $1,266,380.00 leaving a surplus of $152,561.00. The expenses include an estimated $950,000.00 from two one-cent sales taxes that are distributed from the general fund to the fire, police and park funds as required in referendums approved by voters in the early 2000s. That’s $950,000 not available for the general fund.

The street department, which is funded by a portion of the state fuel tax and the road tax from Pulaski and Saline counties, has estimated revenue of $246,950.00. With $444,409.00 left over from 2016 the fund has a total of $691,359.00. Total estimated expenses are $276,613.00, which leaves an estimated surplus balance of $414,746.00.

The police department receives most of its revenue from the sales tax and from bonds and fines. The estimated revenue for 2017 is $365,650.00. Adding to that a surplus of $166,606.00 from 2016 the police department budget has a total of $532,256.00. Estimated expenses for 2017 total $387,394.00 leaving $144,862.00. This includes the purchase of four new police vehicles for $100,000.00, cash.

The fire department has an estimated revenue totaling $555,346.00. Most of that is from the sales tax. At the end of 2016 there was $3,774.00 left over giving the fire department fund a total of $559,090.00. Total estimated expenses for 2017 are $457,974.30 leaving a surplus balance of $101,115.70.

Finally, the parks department, which is funded mostly through the sales tax, is estimated to have revenue in 2017 totaling $121,050.00. At the end of 2016 there was $304,064.00 left over giving the fund a total of $425,114.00. Total expenses are estimated at $203,970.00. That leaves a surplus of $221,144.00.

Also at the January 23 meeting;

An ordinance annexing approximately 3.27 acres into the city was approved by council members. The additional acreage is part of a renovation and expansion project by owners of My Ample Storage, located along Highway 5 near Alexander Road. The widening of Highway 5, between Alexander and Bryant, requires moving the front wall and some storage units. A parking area will also be included in the renovation along with the construction of an indoor storage facility. Currently, all of the storage units are accessed from outside.

This was the third public meeting for the annexation ordinance. An ordinance must be read three times at three public meetings unless two-thirds of the council votes to suspend the second or third readings. Council members voted to suspend the third reading then approved passage of the ordinance. Since all annexed land is automatically zoned residential the next step is to rezone the 3.27 acres to commercial use.

The Organization of Alexander City Council 2017 was approved. It serves as a manual which establishes rules concerning how council meetings will be conducted, the forming and staffing of committees and how to notify the public when a council or committee meeting is scheduled. The date of regular monthly council meetings, which was part of the manual in the past, is now covered by an ordinance approved in 2016.

The council voted to accept the results of the 2016 General Election held November 8 and the runoff election held November 29.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held at 6 PM Monday, February 27. The meeting will be held in the courtroom in the City Municipal Complex across from the post office. The public is invited to attend.