Council pays $579,595 in cash for fire pumper
Officer Teresa Taylor-Duncan, second from left, was named “Police Employee of the Year” by Rotary Club of Madison. Helping present the award were Major Jim Cooke, from left, Rotary President Gene Pheiffer, Council President Tim Holcombe and Rotarian Marc Jacobson. RECORD PHOTOS/GREGG PARKER
MADISON – Thanks to increased revenue in sales tax, the City of Madison paid $579,595 in cash for a custom pumper for Madison Fire and Rescue Department at Madison City Council’s May 9 meeting.
In earlier projections, Madison City Council had estimated sales tax revenue at 4 percent but actual collections have totaled 11 percent.
In presentations, executive director Pam Honeycutt gave Madison Chamber of Commerce’s appropriation of $10,000 in support of the Mayor’s Scholarship. A senior at both James Clemens and Bob Jones high schools will receive a scholarship.
For the 15th year, Rotary Club of Madison presented employees of the year awards for city personnel. Rotarian Debbie Overcash presented awards to Capt. Chad Menard, Madison Fire and Rescue Department; Officer Teresa Taylor-Duncan, Madison Police Department; and Crew Chief David Amesbury, Madison Public Works Department.
After completing candidate interviews, council re-appointed Ranae Bartlett to place no. three with Madison Board of Education.
In public comments, Limestone County Commissioner Jason Black stated he is not directly involved with litigation for taxes collected from Madison residents in Limestone County.
In earlier communication, Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler stated that those residents pay a countywide 5.5 mil ad valorem tax and two-cent sales tax collected for education. More than 1,800 Madison students live in Limestone County; Madison County has not received any tax revenue.
Council approved paving payments to Limestone County Commission, $172,916.35, Huntsville-Brownsferry Road; Madison County Commission, District 2 — $38,949.54 for Harpers Hop Drive and Harpers Hop Court, $30,127.90 for Melinda Drive, Silverton Circle and Donash Circle and $88,872.15 for Gillespie Road.
District 6 Councilman Gerald Clark recapped two meetings about the cemetery ordinance. Council will vote on an updated ordinance for Madison city cemeteries on May 24. Vickie Morris with Madison City Cemeteries Family & Friends Committee expressed concerns about talks with the Madison City Cemeteries Committee.
A service agreement passed with Cash Bond Online LLC to allow individuals to pay bonds online for incarcerated persons. Council accepted three thermal camera kits, valued at $14,985, from Madison County Commissioner Steve Haraway.
Council’s next meeting will be May 24, rescheduled from May 23 due to Madison graduation ceremonies.
