Red Bay given clean bill of financial health

By Staff
John Hicks FCT Staff Writer
At Monday night's Red Bay City Council meeting, Dicky Sparks of Dicky Sparks CPA gave the council a positive report on the city's fiscal well-being.
Sparks cited Red Bay's strong industrial base and effective budget management by city officials as the two main contributing factors to the audit.
"The city has committed itself to excellence," said Sparks. "There's been steady growth in tax revenues without any tax increases."
Sparks said Red Bay's vibrant industrial and retail sectors helped bolster the report.
"We can't be too thankful for the businesses and industries we already have," said Sparks. "The city is financially healthy due to their presence."
During his presentation, Sparks also praised city officials for their continuing efforts to keep costs in line.
"By maintaining systems, retiring debt, and keeping costs low for taxpayers, you've assured the financial position of the city," Sparks told the council. "It's commendable that the mayor and council utilized fixed assets to make this happen."
At Monday night's meeting, the council also unanimously approved Joe Beasley to fill the seat vacated by Council Member Bobby Nelson on Red Bay's Water &Gas Board.
"My family has been in Red Bay for over a century," said Beasley. "I just want to do what I can to help make Red Bay a better place. I have the time and hopefully the ability to make a difference in the future of Red Bay. Every city has challenges it must meet. I just want to make a contribution."
The council appointed Beasley after meeting in executive session.
During the discussion period of Monday night's meeting, Nelson presented documents to the council that compared the electric rates of Franklin Electric and Alabama Power.
Reid recently placed an open letter to the citizens of Red Bay in the Red Bay News in response to a Franklin Electric ad that blamed the city for increased rates.
Nelson challenged the accuracy of Reid's letter, in which Reid also compared the rates of the two power companies. Reid responded that his figures came directly from Franklin Electric and Alabama Power.
Council Member Pat Hammock requested that the council consider placing a sign on Liberty Lane to indicate that it is a dead-end street. She also informed the council that city mechanic Wayne Brand is in need of additional tools.
In other news, the council:
Mayor Jeff Reid re-appointed Tammy McWilliams to the Red Bay Planning Commission. Her new term will expire in 2012.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the Red Bay City Council will be held Monday, May 1, at 7 p.m.