City council’s 2020 budget was approved Monday as previously described in the workshop with the addition of the Parks revenue in-and-out transfer to be noted in a non-departmental agenda line. Alderman Harry Meyer made one final push toward increasing the salaries of the Public Works employees saying, “There’s eight people making less than $11[an hour] in Public Works. I think we can do better than that.”
Quick to ignore Meyer’s comments, alderman Terry McClung moved to approve the budget as is.
Ord. 2292 for the creation of the Entertainment District was approved for its second reading with the amended end-date of Sept. 13. Meyer and alderman Mickey Schneider still stand in clear opposition of the E.D. but are outnumbered. That didn’t stop Schneider from asking the mayor, again, for a clear presentation of the cost of the E.D. “We need to know what it’s gonna cost,” Schneider urged, “We need to be honest about it.”
Berry insisted that his administration has told him the proposed E.D. will be of “no extra cost” to the city.
Third taxi company coming
A new taxi service was approved to operate within the city, as owner of All-Around Cab Company, Dennis Feole of Huntsville, presented his credentials and proposed services. McClung said there are already two approved cab services in town, but he was the only one to oppose the application stating, “I think we got plenty. I don’t want to hurt the others.”
Final colloquy
- The city approved the renewal of a five-year lease to Linda Hager for the use of the patio at 71 Spring St., for a fee of $500 per year, raised from $1 per year.
- Council unanimously renewed applications from Glenna Booth and David Salle to serve on the Cemetery Commission.
- Council also approved a 20-cent rate increase on every 1,000 gallons sold of water from Carroll Boone Water District.