Vote of Red Bay budget delayed until February

RED BAY — City councilmembers will vote next month on the 20025–26 fiscal year budget.

Mayor Mike Shewbart told the council last week the budget was not yet ready for consideration.

“We’re closer, but we’re not there,” Shewbart said.

In other action the council: Approved changing City Clerk Hannah Baggett from a full-time temporary employee to a full-time permanent employee, effective Jan. 4.

Approved a $4,500 expenditure request to help purchase office furniture for the new Red Bay High School administrative building.

Introduced an ordinance granting franchise rights to MaxxSouth Broadband and then tabled it so the city attorney can review it before the council brings it back for a vote.

Approved allowing employees to roll over up to 12 unused personal hours into the next calendar year with the hours required to be used within the first six months of the year. The rollover will be a one-time allowance.

Approved a request for a roadblock on Jan. 24 to benefit the families of Sawyer and Paxton, two children undergoing cancer treatment. Proceeds from the event will go toward helping cover expenses.

Heard a report from Parks and Recreation Director Dean Hubbard. Hubbard said the city will again offer a youth track program this year after a trial run last year. He said registration for the track program will be advertised online. Also, baseball signups will begin soon, Hubbard said.

The next meeting of the council is Jan. 21, with a work session at 3 p.m. and a council meeting at 3:30 p.m. at Red Bay City Hall.