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By JOYANNA LOVE/Managing Editor

The Clanton City Council received a good audit report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2020. during its work session on May 20.

“You have a clean audit report,” Janice Hull of Hull and Russell said. “No modifications.”

The net position for the governmental fund was $20,434,094. The net position for the water works budget was $16,541,435.

The assets for the city totaled $46 million.

“There was an increase in net position, or profit if you want to call it that, organizationwide of $1,580,000 that would be with the city (governmental account) and with the waterworks for the year,” Hull said.

The city had a little more than $5 million in long-term debt.

City Council members also received a copy of the market study and recommendations related to positions and salaries from Human Resource Management Inc. consultants.

The study includes information the city can use to adopt a competitive pay scale to recruit and retain employees, based on data from cities of a similar size in Central Alabama.

Mayor Jeff Mims said he would like the council to vote on the new pay scale at the May 24 meeting.

“I think this is going to be a real good deal for our employees,” Mims said.

An updated organizational chart was also presented.

Finances continued to be a topic as City Judge Rhonda Hardesty told the City Council about the crammed conditions in the city courtroom, which were creating multiple safety concerns when court is in session.

She said there has been an increase in the misdemeanor cases the court handles.

“Our average court sessions, we have between 80 and 100 people,” Hardesty said.

This has led to some having to wait outside or in the lobby.

“There is just not enough room to safely continue to do business there with this many people,” Hardesty said.

Council member Billy Singleton asked if expanding the room was an option. Hardesty said the adjoining offices are in use during court also, so taking out a wall and expanding was not a viable option.

Council member Mary Mell Smith asked if the revenue from fees had increased with this increased activity.

City Magistrate Velma Tinsley answered that it had, and revenue generated was about $30,000 a month.

She said some are choosing to pay their traffic tickets prior to the court date, so they do not have to show up in court.

Also set to be voted on during the May 24 meeting is:

• Transferring a piece of land owned by the city at the end of the Chilton County Airport to the Chilton County Airport Authority.
• Approving Troy Rutherford to represent Clanton on the Chilton County Airport Authority.
• Purchasing software that would allow some city fees and bills to be paid online.

The Clanton City Council May 24 meeting will be at 5 p.m. at Clanton City Hall.