By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The city of Bay Minette’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year is now in place.
During its regular meeting Monday, the Bay Minette City Council approved a $8,483,432 budget for a yearly period that begins in October. Included in that figure are a couple of significant tweaks, one of which includes a one-time pay raise of $250 for full-time city employees.
“The rate for part-time employees has yet to be determined,” the financial report states.
That may be good news for city employees. But city garbage customers have not so good news, as the budget also includes a rate increase for the service.
According to the proposal, residential garbage rates will increase 50 cents to $15.50. Commercial pick-up service will increase across the board, with $40 as the new price for weekly service and $100 for five-day service. Dumpster pick-up service increases to between $75 and $300, depending on frequency.
The proposal also points out that the increased rates are still competitive, with competing dumpster service citied as $125.19 for weekly pick up or $686.91 for service six times a week.
According to Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery, the increased rates will fund continued upkeep of city services.
“This will allow us to get a new dumpster truck,” she said.
In additional business, the council:
· Voted not to elect the State of Alabama Act 2011-676 Retirement System. Therefore, required city employee contribution rates to their retirement plans remain at 5 percent and the required employer rate stays at 9.3 percent.
· Approved a request by J and O Driftwood for a retail beer license. The license stipulates that the beer will be sold in containers for off-premises consumption.
· Approved taking out a $300,000 loan in order to purchase a street sweeper, a tractor and an excavator.
· Made the first of two votes to vacate the 12-foot alley located behind city hall.
