Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Recap
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman at Large
The Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night, September 7, following an informative work session Monday night with leadership of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. New board members were given the opportunity to hear about the work of the Chamber and ways in which the City and Chamber can possibly work more closely together.
At the meeting on Tuesday, the Board heard a presentation from Chandra Broomfield, Director of Therapeutic Recreation, and then went into a Public Hearing on the 2021-2022 proposed budgets and the 2021-2022 tax levy for the city.
The budget will include an average three-percent pay raise for the rank-and-file employees of the City, with the range being anywhere between a zero and five percent pay increase. Department Heads will determine the amount of the raises. Additional funding will be provided for additional police personnel and vehicles, new equipment for both Parks and Recreation and Public Works.
As in past budgets, the paving budget for the City will increase by $100,000, bringing it to $1,300,000.
Main Street will be able to host a Strategic Planning Process called “Downtown Road Map” and will be able to host a spring and fall concert season at the ATMOS stage at Lion’s Club Park. New Christmas decorations are also in the budget for both Olde Towne and the Clinton Parkway.
The expansion of Lovett Treatment Plant will begin, and the addition of a grant writer and a federal lobbyist will, hopefully, assist the City in acquiring much-needed funds for a new treatment plant. The Board endorsed the City’s efforts in seeking funding for a Regional Water/Sewer Project connecting the City of Clinton to the Big Black River by 2030.
The ad valorem taxes on real and personal property in the city will remain the same.
Alderman Martin brought forward two appointments for the Board’s consideration: Ricky Nations was nominated to the City of Clinton Library Committee, and Weaver McCracken was nominated to the City of Clinton Planning and Zoning Committee. Both were approved unanimously.
The Board of Aldermen approved lighting for the Kids’ Towne parking area and playground and the conversion of two tennis courts at the park to four pickleball courts.
The Board also approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City and the Clinton Public School District for the provision of School Resource Officers and approved a lease agreement for a public parking lot along West Leake Street.
