Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
The Madison City Commission met on Tuesday, Sept. 13, greeted with a special gift from Madison County native and World Series winner Lorenzo Cain. Deloris Jones, representing the Lorenzo Cain Committee which worked to have signs erected to recognize Cain, presented the commissioners and others with autographed baseballs from Cain.
After the citizen participation portion of the meeting concluded and the Consent Agenda was approved, the first public hearing for the 2022-2023 budget was held. Tentatively, the commissioners unanimously approved a millage rate of 7.0 for the coming fiscal year and approved the proposed budget by a vote of four to one, with Commissioner Byron Poore dissenting.
At the conclusion of the second budget workshop, which was held on Tuesday, Sept. 6, the commissioners agreed on several points for reducing spending from the general fund. A hiring freeze for City employees is in place. Fuel usage will be closely monitored, restricting the use of City vehicles for official use only. Coupled with the hiring freeze, these measures saved over $300,000 in the 2022-2023 budget.
Next, City Manager Jerome Wyche asked the commissioners to allow for the expenditure of a portion of the funds from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, which presently has over $1,289,000 available. The Madison Fire Department was granted $56,419.20 for needed equipment upgrades.
The Madison Police Department received $325,738.90 for equipment upgrades, including Smart Cop, body cameras, radar and miscellaneous equipment.
The wastewater department also received $54,678.75 to purchase a new pump and other equipment. The commissioners approved these expenditures by a vote of four to one, with Commissioner Poore dissenting, questioning how needs were prioritized. “There should be an ongoing list of needs,” said Poore.
In City Manager Wyche’s report, he stated that the sediment control device to be installed at Lake Francis has been delayed by about two weeks. Citizens should be cautious if walking in the area and be attentive to signs posted.
Also, the City has contacted two non-recognized houses of worship, notifying them of the need to meet the criteria of the Land Development Regulation and establish such a location. Both contacts are working towards compliance of the regulations. Finally, a handicapped access ramp will soon be installed at Sumpter James Park.
The second public hearing for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 5:30 p.m. The next meeting of the Madison City Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. All meetings are held at City Hall, located at 321 SW Rutledge St., in Madison.