Approves $162.6 Million FY 2023 Budget
BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
After months of deliberation, meetings and public comments from the citizens of Opelika, the Opelika City Council voted 4 to 1 to approve the redistricting map that has been dubbed “The Mayor’s Map.”
As part of the discussion, Ward 3 Council Member Tim Aja read a statement in support of the final version of the amended map that the local NAACP Chapter submitted.
“The end result was a proposed amendment to the City Redistricting Plan that I believed was clearly in the best interest of not only many Ward 3 residents, but many other Opelika residents as well,” Aja said. “In my view, the optimal redistricting plan would meet all legal and moral resdistricting requirement, while at the same time minimizing impacts on the citizens of Opelika. I believe the final amendment presented by Elizabeth Hill from the NAACP accomplishes that well, not perfectly, but it is an improvement on the already great plan presented by Matt Moseley and the city in March … I do strongly believe that it takes the city’s proposal on the table from good to great.”
Ward 2 Council Member Erica Baker-Norris said she appreciated the process, but had a different opinion.
“I think this has been a very long process but I think it has been a great one,” Baker-Norris said. “I want to thank all the citizens that participated in the ward meetings.”
Norris expressed disappointment that the NAACP had made changes to the Ward 2 map after having its initial submission. The changes reverted Ward 2 redistricting back to the Mayor’s Map.
“So they [the NAACP] listened to our citizens, they changed the map the reflect that and then they went back and changed it back again,” Norris-Baker explained. “They did not at that time bring it forward … to let us know of those changes. This is the first time they have presented it since they presented the original.”
Aja then made a motion to amend the Mayor’s Map.
During the vote, Ward One Council Member George Allen voted aye, Baker-Norris voted nay, Aja voted aye, Ward Four Council Member and Council President Eddie Smith voted nay and Ward Five Council Member Todd Rauch voted nay. With three nays the motion to amend the map failed to pass.
The council then voted to approved the Mayor’s Map with a four to one vote. Allen offered up the lone nay vote.
PROCLAMATIONS
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller issued a proclamation during Tuesday night’s city council meeting, declaring the month of September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
BUDGET
Opelika Controller/Treasurer Cindy Boyd presented the fiscal year 2023 budget to the council during the work session on Tuesday night.
The city’s general fund budget will be $84.6 million and the special revenue funds, capital project funds and proprietary funds make up the rest of the total $162.6 million budget.
A breakdown of the budget shows that 56% of the general budget comes from sales and use taxes collected. Occupational license fees account for 18%, property taxes are 6% and business licenses make up 5% of the general fund revenues. The remaining 17% comes from transfers from other funds, gasoline taxes and other non-specified income.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a request from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for the First Avenue Concert on Sept. 15.
– The council approved a request for the annual Life Chain Event on Oct. 9.
– The council approved a request for a temporary street closure for an event at Heritage House on Oct. 29.
– The council approved a request from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for the annual Christmas Parade, Snopelika and tree lighting event on Dec. 2.
– The council approved a request for the 2022 Collinwood Christmas Luminaries display on Dec. 9.
– The council approved nd requests for alcohol licenses from Allstate Beverage Company LLC d/b/a Allstate Beverage Company, Botanic LLC d/b/a Botanic, Gallegos Hernandez LLC d/b/a Viva La Vida Mexican Cuisine and YKY Southern Restaurant Group Auburn LLC d/b/a The Flying Biscuit Café.
– The council held public hearings for five weed abatements and later approved the assessments for the five properties located at
• 815 1st Ave.
• 411 S. 4th St.
• 308 Brannon Ave.
• 302 Hall Ave. and
• 1109 Magnolia St.
– The council held a public hearing on an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 2.6 acres of property located on the Robert Trent Jones Trail. The council also introduced the ordinance for first reading.
– The council held a public hearing on an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 154 acres located along the Sportsplex Parkway. The council also introduced the ordinance for first reading.
– The council approved a bid in the amount of $5,155,800 from Whatley Construction for Opelika Fire Station No. 5.
– The council approved expense reports from various departments and also approved a resolution to designate city personal property as surplus and authorize its disposal.
– The council approved the purchase of sports lighting for the Covington baseball field.
– The council approved the purchase of AstroTurf for Floral Park in the amount of $721,587.
– The council approved the city budget for fiscal year 2023.
– The council approved an extension of tax abatement of sales and use tax for Golden State Foods.
– The council approved a services agreement with Motorola Solutions Inc.
– The council approved a resolution to authorize the annual excess loss insurance contract with Granular Insurance Company.
– The council approved a resolution to authorize a group health insurance contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
– The council approved a request for a special use permit with AT&T for equipment located at 1051 Douglas St.
– The council approved a request for a special use permit with T-Mobile for equipment located at 1981 Airport Road.
– The council approved a special appropriation to Circles of Opelika for the 2022 Luncheon on Sept. 16.
– The council approved a special appropriation to Opelika Kiwanis Club for “The Shoot” fundraiser for local children to be held Sept. 30.
– The council approved a special appropriation to Parks and Recreation for the Annual Health Fair to be held on Oct. 4.
– The council approved an ordinance to amend the city Code of Ordinances: Sections 10-35 and 10-58, Solid Waste Disposal.
– The council approved an ordinance to amend the city of Opelika Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
– The council approved a lease agreement with Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc.
– The council introduced an ordinance to amend the city Code of Ordinances: Section 14-302(3) Business License Issuance Fee for its first reading.