FOLEY – During a presentation by Foley Mayor John Koniar, the state of the city was discussed, reflecting on the city’s growth during fiscal year 2017.

The financial summary for the year showed positive numbers, and stated that the unaudited net effect of the FY17 revenues and expenditures was $1.7 million better than projected. The city has seen $710k in road maintenance, $14.4 million in capital projects, and 895k in capital equipment. The city also experienced a rise in taxes: Sales tax was up 2.9 percent from the previous year. Lodging tax was up 11.1 percent. There was a 15.2 percent increase in rental tax, as well as a 4.4 percent increase in property tax, and utility tax was up 4.2 percent.

The city’s workforce saw a slight increase from the previous year, with a ten-year employee population growth of 12 percent, while the city itself experienced a ten-year population growth of 27 percent.

The city has performed many major infrastructure improvements during the year, and a plan is in place for even more improvements throughout the city going into FY18.

During the 2017 FY, the city was awarded Alabama Tourism Organization of the Year from the Alabama Tourism Department for its new sports complex and indoor Event Center, while The Park at OWA received the 2017 Attraction of the Year Award. The Foley Public Library was awarded a five-star rating during 2017 and was rated the top library in their class in the US, while the City of Foley states that their library “consistently checks out more books to patrons than any library in the county and its collection is the largest of any library in the county.” Along with these awards, the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report received a Certificate for Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fourth consecutive year, while the Finance Division received an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement.

Foley saw major developments take place during 2017, such as: The Park at OWA, along with its several surrounding retail, dining, and entertainment venues. In the future, there are plans to open a RV park, a waterpark, and additional hotels in the OWA location; Marriott’s Towne Place Suites, Foley’s new 150-room hotel, which raises Foley’s hotel room count to 866; UTC Aerospace’s new 80,000 square foot manufacturing and nacelle assembly facility, which brought 260 new jobs to Foley’s workforce; and several new businesses, including new restaurants and retail.

The Foley Event Center topped the capital projects from 2017. The new center will bring sports teams from all around to compete in Foley, bringing in families who will stay, shop, and dine within the city. The Foley Event Center, along with the Sports Complex, will broaden the prospects for sports-related tournaments being brought to Foley.

Graham Creek Nature Preserve and Interpretive Center was another focus, and has hosted 12,000 visitors for 21 events that took place within FY17. The preserve averages about 50,000 visitors annually, and is adding a third disc golf course as the sport’s popularity grows.

The city has no plans of stopping, and presented a preview of plans for the future, which include: Fern Avenue extension from Highway 59 to the Foley Beach Express, which will make easier access for ambulances, tourists, and locals; 9th Avenue extension, a project which the council voted to begin earlier in 2017 to prepare for the brand-new Foley Elementary School; and four new tennis courts, which are already underway and that the city aims to have finished for the next season, beginning in 2018.

To keep up-to-date on Foley news and happenings, check out their website at www.CityOfFoley.org.