Dear Friends,
There are so many exciting things happening in Alabaster! We are seeing continued growth in our business sector, our schools have once again been ranked among the top in the state, and Alabaster has weathered the pandemic and come through in a financially healthy position. On September 13, the City Council voted to pass the proposed budget for the new fiscal year. I am proud of the thoroughness and thoughtfulness put into our budget process, allowing us to adequately fund important projects while maintaining the city’s fiscal strength.
I’m thankful to the department heads for being fiscally conservative in their budgeting and for our CFO John Haggard’s efforts and assistance. He started having finance committee meetings in May so things were in very good shape by the time we got to August. We used ClearGov, a cloud-based budget and performance management software for municipalities that allowed department heads to input their budgets and have reviewed them in real time (visit alabasterconnection.net/budgetbook for budget information).
A few highlights of the budget were merit increases for city employees and the city absorbing the employee insurance cost increase. We’ve budgeted for the Highway 119 project, and Dunn Construction has been awarded the bid for the project. I’m excited to see that come to fruition for our residents. I’m also excited about the plans for Patriot Park and to see that developed in the next year. The park will feature basketball and pickleball courts, a playground, a new parking lot, and a back entrance into the adjacent neighborhood. As always, I’m proud that the city is able to continue its support of Alabaster City Schools with a contribution of $6.45 million this fiscal year.
Here are some other budget highlights to note:
- Merit raises for all qualifying City employees.
- Increasing the City’s share of employee health insurance from 75% to 80% of the total cost.
- Increasing the City’s share of retiree health insurance to 65% for retirees with less than 25 years of service at Alabaster and 75% for retirees with 25 years or more of service at Alabaster.
- $25,000 for traffic calming measures.
- Addition of seven new full-time equivalent positions: Public Information Officer, Public Works Operator I, Assistant Public Works Director, 2 Parks Maintenance Technicians, Permit Clerk, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.
- $2.5M to build Patriots Park.
- $6.45M in contributions to the Alabaster City School System.
- $50,000 to renovate the Library bathrooms.
- $275,000 for an additional garbage truck.
- $100,000 to light and cover the batting cages at Veterans Park
- $300,000 for Alabaster Boulevard repairs.
- $1.66M for Highway 119 widening.
- $100,000 for a new sign at Veterans Park.
- $500,000 to furnish the new Police Station.
- $500,000 for general road repaving.
- $75,000 for drainage issues and flood mitigation.
- $4.7M for Sewer capital improvements.
As you can see, it is a great time to be in Alabaster!