Council approves FY 2012 budget

Madison City Council approved a budget of $48,039,936 for fiscal year 2012 during its Nov. 28 meeting.

The budget total includes $30,235,426 in the general fund, $8,352,465 in special revenue funds and $9,452,045 in debt service funds. Fiscal year 2012 began Oct. 1 and will end Sept. 30, 2012.

Councilman Larry Vannoy presented the first reading for amended salaries for the mayor and city council. State law requires approval of salary changes six months before the November 2012 election.

The mayor’s proposed salary starting Nov. 1, 2012 (in fiscal year 2013) will be $95,835; $98,710 in 2014; $101,671 in 2015; and $104,721 in 2016. Council member salaries for 2013 will be $13,960; 2014, $14,100; 2015, $14,523; and 2016, $14,959.

Madison Chamber of Commerce director Susie Masotti discussed a new strategic plan that will improve public relations with campaigns in “Madison Living” and “Alabama” magazines and revamping the chamber’s Web site.

“We grew by 45 members since Oct. 1,” Masotti said. “Members have not felt the love in the past. We will have 10 points of touch with all members.” Councilman Jerry Jennings recommended a focus on the city’s industrial base, “which has not had the best service from the chamber in the past.”

Police Chief Larry Muncey presented awards for community policing to Officer Danny Pettus, Sgt. Nathan Beard and Lt. John Stringer.

Beth Bero urged the council to amend the lighting ordinance and replace street lights with energy-efficient “down lighting,” compared to “up lighting” that casts glare into the sky.

Mayor Paul Finley said the Madison Cheer Brigade is helping nine military families. Residents can donate cash at City Hall or gifts at Dublin Park through Dec. 14.

“Madison has honor of working as a city for the Madison Cheer Brigade to support National Guard and Army Reserve members who are down on their luck this holiday season,” Finley said.

The council re-appointed Charles Sturdivant and Cindy Sensenberger to the Madison Station Historic Preservation Commission and Wayne Wolfe and Tommy Parker as city judges.

Voting polls in 2012 will move in District 1 to Faith Lutheran Church and in District 7 to Restoration Church.

Other voting precincts are: District 2, Madison County residents at Madison Baptist Church and Limestone County residents at Lamb of God Lutheran Church; District 3, Madison Mission Seventh-Day Adventist Church; District 4, City Hall; District 5, St. John the Baptist Catholic School; and District 6, Madison Church of Christ.