Council buys boom truck for $45K
RED BAY – Council members have approved the purchase of a boom truck to replace a 1997 model.
The 2020 boom truck will be purchased from Southeast Sales in Belmont, Mississippi, for $45,080. It will replace the city’s 1997 Ford truck.
In other action in last week’s meeting: Parks and Recreation Director Dean Hubbard said drainage work at Keeton Road has been completed successfully with grass beginning to grow on the site.
Upgrades are also underway at the Little League fields with new backstops and block walls.
Hubbard said the city’s pools, built in 1972, are being repaired ahead of schedule this year with old tiles replaced and repainting set to begin.
He also noted youth volleyball is going well with Red Bay teams facing Muscle Shoals for the first time. Basketball signups are underway with practices planned to begin in October.
Council members voted to appoint Austin Sparks to the Sewage Disposal Board, filling the seat vacated by Joey Allen.
The council went into an executive session to discuss the good name and character of an employee. No decisions were made or votes taken.
Among items approved under new business was a $100 sponsorship for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pumpkin Palooza event.
The council accepted the resignation of Mike Shewbart from the Water Works and Gas Board, effective Sept. 30. His departure is due to his election as the city’s new mayor, as members cannot serve in both roles. The vacancy will be posted for two weeks.
Two funding requests for Red Bay High School were approved. One was for $225 for seventh-grade math curriculum materials. The request was made by teacher Shauna Humphries. The other was $3,000 for ACT boot camps this fall, requested by teacher Brady Ramey.
The council approved a $5,082 contract for services with the chamber of commerce for the 2025-26 fiscal year, to be paid from the Industrial Development Fund.
A $10,000 contribution to the Franklin County Development Authority was also approved from the same fund.
A request from SafePlace for $1,000 was tabled until November to allow the incoming council to review it with the 2026 budget and confirm nonprofit status.
As part of routine fiscal year-end action, the council approved terminating all part-time employees as of Sept. 30 and authorized Mayor Charlene Fancher to rehire essential parttime staff beginning Oct. 1.
The council also recognized longtime city clerk Sarah McKinney as she prepares to transition to a new role. With McKinney’s resignation effective Sept. 30, the council approved contracting with her on an as-needed basis at $30 an hour until a replacement clerk is hired and trained. The arrangement is capped at six months, though council members expressed confidence the transition will be shorter.
Before adjourning, members thanked McKinney for her service, praising her leadership and dedication in managing city finances and operations.
Council members discussed logistics for the end of the current council’s term.
The new mayor and council will take office Nov. 3, beginning with a swearing-in ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Weatherford Centre in downtown Red Bay.
Probate Judge Barry Moore will preside before traveling to Phil Campbell for its ceremony later that evening.
A public reception will follow, after which the new council will hold its first organizational meeting at 7:30 p.m. at city hall. That session will include setting the schedule for council meetings over the next four years.
