[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6389111,"mediaKeyId","2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2","parentId",2113609,"title","Homewood mayor reads state audit review, says former finance director pleaded guilty to wire fraud","audioSeconds",238,"startMs",2145000,"endMs",2383000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2&start=2145&end=2383","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2/thumbnail_2145000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389111/Homewood-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Homewood-mayor-reads-state-audit-review-says-former-finance-director-pleaded-guilty-to-wire-fraud","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389111-7a4af15c615560a590e1e6efdfff9012/orig.mp4?Expires=1776091988&Signature=lkpQGwXCKCNbxedDWoS3eTbc6Co1IM01CPTWal6Zv0d7mNQWWEpqNwniLRCsd6DMEaknBaw5gKrvy4kKryr0Z0fH35I2vbVR0IMRH1R-z7pKBGKBDELRl6MgezudCEa16XGDQEt6SBHt9FG7VenPLHDseyZWQoKqgAmvZHoGzD0DW1HWCWNGM-ZODmN3kGPu-3mjlscGX5V0qAxlpggcyZXfkkaX8hEzo-nxYvHjx0E5k2hfudnvY0C62VawtcnMc4MQ0V-JGf4jWnMaeYsY7cBAkdW2JPrIl8yHs3bGq-m140vsOOyKzv1z6AwUCm90oAUobdgTld0OTZ9S4m2CWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Homewood, AL","date","2025-01-14T13:04:07Z","article","Mayor Alex Wyatt read a city statement into the record at the Jan. 13, 2025 Homewood City Council meeting summarizing a limited special review by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accountants and the city's response to discovered financial irregularities.

\"The city of Homewood has reviewed the limited special review by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accountants of the city's financial system concerning both the use of city credit cards and a separate fraudulent misappropriation of funds by a former city employee,\" Wyatt read. He said the city first discovered suspicious movements of funds after the former finance director retired in March 2024, and that the city reported findings to local, state and federal authorities.

Wyatt said the individual has pleaded guilty to three federal charges of wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing. The mayor told the council that insurance has covered $500,000 of more than $947,000 that the city says was transferred to a personal account, and that the city is pursuing recovery of additional monies.

The mayor outlined policy changes already adopted and under way: the council in November 2023 reduced the number of city credit cards in use, limited cards to preauthorized official expenditures with no cash advances or alcohol purchases, required itemized receipts and capped daily meal reimbursements at $75, and established monthly audits by the finance department. He also said the state auditors had referred disputed credit card charges to the Alabama Attorney General for collection.

Wyatt said the city has moved to strengthen professional management: voters approved a new form of government creating a full-time city manager position, to assume chief executive duties in November 2025, and the city has begun a search for an interim manager who could start in March. The mayor said steps taken and the auditors' recommendations will help the city \"continue our efforts to make sure our finance department works more securely so that expenditures of public funds are properly tracked in strict adherence to sound business and audit standards.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Homewood Council Meeting - Jan. 13, 2025 (6pm)","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Alex Wyatt read a statement into the Jan. 13, 2025 Homewood City Council record describing a state auditors' review and the city's response to discovered irregularities in finance operations.","taxTitle","Homewood City, Jefferson County, Alabama","taxId",65544,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389115,"Homewood council approves five-year tax incentive for The Edge development",448,1115000,1563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2&start=1115&end=1563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","/articles/6389115/Homewood-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Homewood-council-approves-five-year-tax-incentive-for-The-Edge-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389115-4f8181630765d5749b71c1d062aa5c93/orig.mp4?Expires=1776091988&Signature=iacJBV6WeBw1udVHJMveZB3LvCcKwIBxHtTf1GZofTbwVm0QpT39Q07oVQB61QiCE~e8KAtLV2pT5q9BDFd5b1vB2l9a9W3~QT7~OEPaUNm1K99S4cXU7exGKjYLDs-XiWJjmYrLYPgxAPaenCvcpsWO~HPWTv8Szuu9LucSadYcnNArqdOGBE9WE~oY7Vij5ZM-JOJGY8lU7vYyBUY8bfJazlY5-mdAlzn0C0qaI9Jm1pL41BrCqNiWO0fpxceqEk3vNkjzwnd64zceitqgwaz~ZqdRnSon9hrlMJOtw6ZY0UOOQgO3sCE0KcHSPTwBZfK5qbqWwpnVk-hA8GRlYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Homewood City Council voted 10-0 on Jan. 13, 2025, to approve a pay-as-you-go sales tax incentive for The Edge, a redevelopment at 815–819 Green Springs Highway that the developer says includes nine businesses and a large community green space.

The resolution, No. 2501, caps the city's benefit at $375,000 over five years and would route 50% of the city's non-educational sales and use tax from new sales at the development back to the project, with a proposed annual cap of $75,000. Developer JJ Thomas described the project's scope and projected economic impact during a public hearing before the council vote.

\"The project's cost [is] around $6,000,000 a little over,\" JJ Thomas told the council. He said construction created jobs and that, now that construction is complete, the development is expected to support 16 full-time and 71 part-time employees and a payroll of more than $3 million a year. Thomas told the council he anticipates roughly $3.6 million in direct and indirect tax receipts to the city, county and state over the next 10 years, and estimated about $200,000 a year in tax revenue to the city specifically.

Councilor Aleman asked whether the incentive request represented the developer's final ask. Thomas said he intended the request to be \"the one and only and final\" incentive from the city for the development, and described higher-than-expected costs from construction, borrowing and operating the site at the quality he said Homewood requires.

Councilor Simpson noted a related item: a planned city sidewalk connection that would run on the city right-of-way to link Columbiana Road and the corridor that includes The Edge. Simpson said the sidewalk would be a separate city project and could involve city funds; the matter will proceed to the Finance Committee for further discussion.

Councilor Guatney moved approval of the resolution; Councilor Aleman seconded. The council voted 10-0 to adopt Resolution 2501.

The incentive is structured as a partnership the developer characterized as \"a small way\" for the city to help the development become established while directing most benefits from new sales to the city and region. The council and developer also discussed connectivity and pedestrian access as follow-on items that may require separate city funding or committee consideration.","Homewood City Council voted 10-0 on Jan. 13, 2025, to approve a five-year pay-as-you-go sales tax incentive for The Edge redevelopment at 815–819 Green Springs Highway, capping the city's contribution at $375,000 and outlining expected job and revenue impacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389101,"Votes at a glance: Homewood council approves routine contracts, appropriations and bank depository",511,1584000,2095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2&start=1584&end=2095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2/thumbnail_1584000.jpg","/articles/6389101/Homewood-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-Homewood-council-approves-routine-contracts-appropriations-and-bank-depository","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389101-17855709897d457c4b783590d2a5c831/orig.mp4?Expires=1776091988&Signature=K2mQMFoT0046R9VWikHTnsi6ZJ0hKiBM4~3mOt39xiPEO-TbfRv8LM7GFfJVAmHmQvvhmBPBt20Z1eOfQVZedPFS14gxz6K7GeGHGkP4jf1ABxaQ89HNl7uQeBbEA3ocT-Eq0nT~WgmM~bvzoDQYEmXzXH8ViuDoKLmhDknQ4NchdKwElELYpb7he~WKHgaPX04aadI8F66PcvwZNI9qpjbQMJL3jKs-tWS6quJYsWSuFDY8RqH0D0xjnCxwcNWl05N4f7Ryyz5oCUScZFTjMVxSnLccop7LRF0KdQf5AWcHPmWvh~efpZ6PqMwmhmDkGGdORuw8hF4OrjUtrOFGZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Homewood City Council on Jan. 13, 2025, approved multiple routine resolutions and contracts with little or no debate. The measures were budgeted or reviewed in committee and passed unanimously.

Key approvals included:

- Resolution 2502: Authorize an agreement with Life Safety Inspection Vault LLC to port life-safety inspections to the fire department (Public Safety Committee recommended 5-0). Vote: 10-0.

- Resolution 2503: Authorize FY 2024-25 budget appropriation and contract for the Birmingham Zoo (budgeted). Vote: 10-0.

- Resolution 2504: Authorize FY 2024-25 budget appropriation and contract for One Place (budgeted). Vote: 10-0.

- Resolution 2505: (Not specified in detail on the record) [no action recorded].

- Resolution 2506: Authorize construction agreement with Duncan & Dearman for Station 3 addition; construction documents matched previously approved bid. Vote: 11-0.

- Resolution 2507: Ratify use of Synovus Bank as bank depository and authorize signatures for city officials. Vote: 11-0.

- Resolution 2508: Approve payment of vouchers for period Dec. 17
\t6 Jan. 13; large voucher run approved. Vote: 11-0.

Most items were described by committee chairs or staff as budgeted or previously reviewed. Several councilors noted appreciation for staff work; no substantive amendments to the listed resolutions were recorded in the meeting minutes.","At its Jan. 13, 2025 meeting, the Homewood City Council unanimously approved a series of budgeted appropriations, contracts and administrative resolutions, including agreements for life-safety inspection software, appropriations for local nonprofits and a construction contract for a fire station addition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389106,"Homewood proclaims January Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month; survivors and advocates urge training",365,181000,546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2&start=181&end=546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113609-46a671dca544bf53ceb09844fa626fd2/thumbnail_181000.jpg","/articles/6389106/Homewood-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Homewood-proclaims-January-Human-Trafficking-Awareness-and-Prevention-Month-survivors-and-advocates-urge-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389106-26137d619cb987efda72e15c4b750d95/orig.mp4?Expires=1776091988&Signature=UZTPE9EEAYRP~bnzcyW92R962cfd3hk1hqBEK-RbXT9EZPd3on4xCtQmZrxNaZsLTFK87XE4MMgit0Etiput7QpijGOnKZy5VDee31S~Y~6eln8F8i3UZLMXs0eFQn6XDquvpRthRBxBK7eniTktetqQihyCfBotHGtXcts8QUcrLXJi0taa5wi2cXEvzqYGlK5CBFe2q5M9a4eEzZFzKTintHXMEHHvQF6KcZawL78F03FaVHekIudDCgAK~eM5JR1uERPY8T1yPD7xpJZuwD1bx6PPhCdtKat1qyHmDrPxoeyF1QQQ8x8WxTbrYMN9q7CQilZePQkRvekGwy-sAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Alex Wyatt read a proclamation at the Jan. 13, 2025 Homewood City Council meeting designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and urged community partnerships to prevent trafficking and support survivors.

The proclamation cites the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and global trafficking estimates and says the city is \"committed to ensuring that those impacted by human trafficking receive services that are trauma informed and responsive to their individual needs.\" The mayor invited advocates and survivors to address the council after he read the proclamation.

Jasmine Deloach told the council she is the mother of a trafficking survivor and described the harm her family experienced. \"My daughter was a trafficking victim. Guy got her and sold her through 5 different states and put on heroin and cocaine at 16,\" Deloach said. She said Homewood was one of the places traffickers took her daughter and urged the community to learn the signs and work together to prevent trafficking.

Mary Beth Thomas, executive director of Prescott House Child Advocacy Center, told the council that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary: \"We can't do all the work ourselves. We collaborate together, and it's very necessary for us to work together. But we need you, and we need you to be able to stop abuse and human trafficking.\" Thomas encouraged training and pointed attendees to local resources, including TECA and Family Court, for available trainings and supports.

The council and advocates emphasized awareness, cross-sector collaboration and trauma-informed services as key elements of the city's approach to preventing trafficking and assisting survivors.","Mayor Alex Wyatt proclaimed January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month at the Jan. 13 council meeting. A survivor's family member and local advocacy leaders urged awareness, collaborative responses and training for agencies and the public.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Homewood mayor reads state audit review, says former finance director pleaded guilty to wire fraud

Homewood council approves five-year tax incentive for The Edge development

Votes at a glance: Homewood council approves routine contracts, appropriations and bank depository

Homewood proclaims January Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month; survivors and advocates urge training