SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A new community center, bigger police department and road improvements are just a few things the growing city of Spanish Fort can possibly expect to see in the next year.

The city has an approximate $6.4 million to work with for the next year, Mayor Joe Bonner said during an Oct. 17 work session when the city council reviewed a proposed budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The budget is unofficial until the council votes in favor of it at a future meeting, Bonner said.

“Budgets are really projects,” he said. “We have to get to a figure that we’re comfortable with.”

One topic discussed was the proposed $3 million community center, which is planned to be located at the west corner of U.S. Highway 31 and Blakeley Way, according to information city officials distributed during the work session.

The council will have to vote on the amount to spend on the community center for when that project moves forward, Bonner said.

The multiple-use facility is expected to include a senior citizens center, library and council chambers.

Parking is planned to be located behind the complex to give the area a more ‘downtown feel.’

“We’re first trying to get a full layout of the property,” Bonner said. “We want to get started in the next month or two.”

City officials have budgeted money to allow the Spanish Fort Police Department to add five officers — bringing to squad to 18 — and an investigator. The investigator is set to begin in October and police will be brought on when apartments within city limits are closer to completion, Bonner said.

“We think the addition of these five officers will put us in good shape when they come on,” Bonner said.

With one complete and three apartment complexes in the works, more than 200 families are expected to move into the city. With such an influx of residents, the need to have more police officers is evident, city officials said.

The unofficial cost to add five police cars is $202,500, according to Bonner.

City officials also plan to do maintenance on roadways and drains throughout the city.

“We’re looking at an investment between $250,000 and $300,000 for street problems at this moment,” Bonner said.