Candidates sound off on city funding

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
A tough economy has people looking at ways to save on their household budgets. Some candidates for Hartselle’s top job are looking at ways to do the same thing for the city itself.
Each of the three mayoral candidates is vowing to keep municipal expenses to a minimum. For political newcomer Terry Miller, this would involve a department-by-department review of where the money is being spent.
Hartselle’s police department has 29 sworn officers. The jailers also share a car.
Miller said he’d also like to look at operations within the fire department.
Miller, who owns a used auto dealership, said it’s all part of his belief that the city needs to return to “basics.”
But cutting costs are just part of the equation, Mayor Dwight Tankersley said. Tankersley, who’s seeking his second term, said his administration has been prudent in how it has spent money.
Tankersley said the city’s general fund balance four years ago was $4.7 million. As of July 31, it’s up to $5.7 million, allowing the city to cover the cost of a new fire truck and road paving projects. The city’s employee costs, including benefits, is some 59 percent of its budget, with healthcare and worker’s compensation costs increasing yearly.
Tankersley also defends the city’s purchase of property near Interstate 65. The city purchased the 19 acres of land for $2.2 million in 2006 and then spent money to provide infrastructure to the location. The city has contracted with Aronov Realty to develop the site.
That’s all money well spent, Tankersley said.
Meanwhile, Tankersley said, the city is looking to retail development to help cover the escalating costs of such things as fuel and employee benefits.
Candidate Mike Dowdy, a longtime critic of city spending, has also vowed cut costs. He could not be reached for this article.
In other political news:
Smelser is seeking his second term on the council. He’s opposed by A.D. Hargrove.
“Too many people perceive that as a racist thing and I go to great lengths for that not to be the case,” he said.
Hammon started his business in 2003 and said he has about 10,000 customers.
His business has an unsatisfactory business performance record with the Better Business of North Alabama, mostly complaints of failure to deliver items. BBB said it processed 32 complaints in the last 36 months.
Hammon said most of the complaints are old and were caused by a change in his payment software.
Hammon is running against incumbent Mark Mizell and Bill Partridge.
In one candidate’s case, more than 31 signs were stolen or damaged in one weekend.
It’s a crime to damage or take a political sign.
Candidates are also asked not to place their signs on the public right of way. The city can remove signs placed in the right of way.