SILVERHILL, Alabama — The Town of Silverhill is considering more street paving projects after getting word that it will receive a Rebuild Alabama Grant for road resurfacing in 2020.
The $250,000 grant will pay for resurfacing projects on First, Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh and Ninth Streets, and South Avenue, Mayor Jared Lyles said at the council’s Tuesday, Jan. 21 meeting. The grant would also pay for the widening of some of the streets.
Lyles said the town had budgeted $25,000 for street paving in 2020, part of a plan to build up enough funds over a 10-year period to pave the streets. That money can now go toward engineering costs that are not covered by the grant, Lyles said.
“My question is, what would it cost to pave all of the streets in town,” said Council member Wayne Gruenloh.
Silverhill Superintendent of Utilities Scottie Smith said the town currently maintains about 10 miles of roadway, estimating that it would cost about $700,000 to pave all the streets.
“Then, how much more would the engineering costs be for all of the streets?” Gruenloh asked.
Council members agreed to check on the costs and discuss the matter further at a future council meeting.
In other business Jan. 21, the council approved a pay increase for the next mayor and council, which will take effect when the elected officials are sworn in at the first meeting in November.
Salaries are currently set at $500 per month for the mayor, $200 per month for council members, with no additional pay for the mayor pro tem.
“I know we have not had any increase in the 12 years that I have served on the council,” Lyles said. “Beyond that I don’t know.”
Initially Gruenloh made a motion to increase the salaries to $1,000 for the mayor, $400 for the mayor pro tem and $300 for council members, but amended his motion following some push back by some council members.
“I just think it’s too much,” said Council member Tonie Norden.
Gruenloh replied that he believed at least the mayor should receive more since the position requires more responsibility.
“The mayor the one who is called on to represent the town in all matters,” Gruenloh said, “and takes the brunt of everything. The mayor should be getting more.”
Council members voted unanimously to propose an increase to the mayor’s salary to $1,000 per month, and $300 per month for council members with no additional pay for the mayor pro tem.
Mayor and all council seats will be up for election on Aug. 25. Qualifying for the municipal races is set to begin July 7 with the deadline to qualify July 21.
According to state law, the council must approve an ordinance amendment to raise the salaries for the next mayor and council six months before the election.
Amendments to the ordinance must be advertised and voted on in February to meet the state requirements.
The council also voted at the Jan. 21 meeting to approve the purchase of laptops for police department patrol units at a cost of $960 each.
