Loxley adopts more than $9 million budget for 2019-20

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LOXLEY, Alabama — The Loxley Town Council voted to approve its 2019-20 budget at its Nov. 25 meeting with total net income just over $300,000 for the coming year.

After postponing its Nov. 11 meeting because of Veterans Day, the council met for a marathon combined work session and regular meeting on the last Monday of the month, which lasted nearly two hours.

During the meeting, the council voted unanimously to pass the budget with total projected revenues and expenses of more than $9.4 million with added long-term debt of more than $700,000.

The budget included an increase in general fund revenues of nearly $2 million with revenues of just over $6.6 million for 2019-20, compared to just over $4.5 million for 2018-19.

Expenses in the town’s general fund budget also jumped for 2019-20, going from just under $4.3 million in 2018-19 to more than $6.3 million for the coming year, a net surplus of just over $305,000, up from $235,000 a year ago.

The town’s utility fund included a surplus of around $723,000 for 2019-20 with operating revenues of about $2.5 million, up from $2.4 million in projected operating revenues last year.

Other income and revenues totaled $269,000, compared to $386,000 in 2018-19, bringing the total net income and expense to $723,603 for a surplus of $23,607, compared to $154,000.

In other business, the council:

•Approved the town’s Business of the Year for 2019. The award will be announced at the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Baldwin County Coliseum.

•Adopted an ordinance declaring Feb. 21-23 as a Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday.

•Passed a resolution adopting a Cafeteria Plan with Colonial.

•Approved the purchase of an outdoor unit for the library with Byrd Air of Robertsdale in the amount of $2,530.

•Approved the formation of a Downtown Redevelopment Board with five members: Katherine Breeden, Robert Davis, Beth Lovell, Joey Knight and Joan Richardson.

•Renewed the town’s $150,000 line of credit with Citizens’ Bank.

•Approved the purchase of fire ant bait with Residex in the amount of $2,130 which would provide coverage for the town for two years.

•Voted to terminate the town’s mowing contract with Rotola Consultants Inc.

•Purchased two zero-turn mowers from Capital Tractor in Montgomery (the state contractor) for a total of $22,195.20.

•Purchased a 7-foot grooming mower from Baldwin Tractor & Equipment in Robertsdale at a cost of $3,822.

•Approved the reconnection of recording capability on calls with Harbor Communications for the police department at the request of Police Chief Chip Cason at a cost of $4,500.

During the town’s work session, the council also discussed:

•Adopting amendments to the town’s Zoning Ordinance. Officials planned to discuss changes to the ordinance with attorney Shawn Alves. A public hearing will be held during the council’s Dec. 9 meeting.

•Adopting an ordinance relating to towing and recovery services for the town.

•The possibility of paying volunteer fire fighters $10 per call.