[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6245214,"mediaKeyId","3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168","parentId",3226930,"title","Residents press Prattville council for transparency and new-book purchases at public library","audioSeconds",146,"startMs",4655000,"endMs",4801000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168&start=4655&end=4801","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168/thumbnail_4655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6245214/Prattville/Autauga-County/Alabama/Residents-press-Prattville-council-for-transparency-and-new-book-purchases-at-public-library","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245214-0a7f04a7881ac8f377828c27c638f9c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164969&Signature=lIOBIjRI35yeE-hpS9ivddhe4DMDsumDj9Iof4QCtvqrFifte1QyE3p~WbvouLiFGN9OC-xv7Y1YNJMou7-33obu6MRJEITkNClsZPqZvXUgw3fnAi0PQMeUIAuAUpKBx6o7XAIghYWgEaRi5Q5H9rLzPqHQSHr9yPpLRKG04V-JWNIoGWFEoIdEWkxHaVEebXefBCX-e5-DRfMH~GzEaa8s66pHvupEqNxm7gbAeuCSR7QyBh6kHaE7l1mBlS6cPRt7ATY8g3wR1~qRFKBtB~vURDmJSmF0WJh0L64t2gSHl3u2pAI-13jsLXA11Gerl93H49eyK4xSR8NZ71q08Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prattville City, AL","date","2025-05-07T19:28:54Z","article","Two residents used the council’s public-comment period on May 6 to urge the City Council to investigate operations and transparency at the public library and at the library board.

Karen Ballard Cooper said she attended a recent Billingsley Library board meeting and found no old or new business on the agenda; she said the board, which she identified as the policy and planning body for local libraries, has not met frequently and that the community deserves transparency about library planning and policy decisions. Cooper asked the council to require the board to be more forthcoming about its actions.

Jackie Nicks, who also addressed the council, focused on book purchases. Nicks said the library’s budget for new books is about $5,000 per month and that the “Just Added” section on the library catalog showed only 45% of newly listed titles as 2025 publications, with some titles dating to 1958 and others from the 1980s and 1990s. She asked the council to review invoices for monthly book purchases and to confirm the criteria used to select new titles. Nicks said the council, which controls funding, should hold the library board accountable if the board fails to demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

Councilors did not debate or take immediate action during the meeting; the mayor and staff indicated the council could be asked for information and records via formal requests or follow-up. The council did not schedule a committee or staff report on the library during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5-6-2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents told the council the library board has been inactive and that the library’s recent 'just added' listings indicate few new-release title purchases; they asked the council to review book-purchase invoices and demand greater transparency.","taxTitle","Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama","taxId",52840,"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},6245218,"Prattville receives clean FY24 audit, S&P upgrades city bond rating",800,1089000,1889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168&start=1089&end=1889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168/thumbnail_1089000.jpg","/articles/6245218/Prattville/Autauga-County/Alabama/Prattville-receives-clean-FY24-audit-SP-upgrades-city-bond-rating","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245218-1502218ac7af2d551898170ba58d7e6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164969&Signature=pBGVp6tWjy9gwd5DwNvQsODkkoUFWjuME8jBCPRj8ah1O-28wcHRhTwiv3jX8Wt6c3H753NzIcHDgMwxfG3VfQCL5cMLgHQZWmHw7PgMQuvsmO6VpnVAdQ~QkIdBWWpnQmZ0sxDYWTrTRlcaSnZuAvurOmym2DO6fm2VbPqK6Rc3bD~Jnd06BWxgwdBpdsYanawVxTRazYCs-xvXQ3xU-8NkvG7sbYeq9Sb-2UQiuRSe69TSNr8-FYB0PYerc5VB6N7LKjJo32xlEhwnpCtYzEKAW5RSzXDEgZkV8v1fU4Jk5YiW5PsEhpNmIG0AJ3mKejXynNcf6xIPDbzKPcfy3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auditors from Malden & Jenkins presented the City of Prattville’s fiscal-year 2024 audit to the city council on May 6 and issued an unmodified — or clean — opinion, the firm said in a presentation to the council.

Crystal Veil, engagement director at Malden & Jenkins, told the council the audit provided reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The presentation said total assets and outflows increased roughly $8.3 million while liabilities decreased roughly $7.4 million; the city’s net position increased by approximately $15.8 million in fiscal 2024. The firm reported no material weaknesses and no instances of noncompliance in its single-audit testing for major federal programs.

The audit presentation included general-fund detail: general fund revenues were about $61.7 million, with sales tax revenue reported at about $38.7 million, licenses and permits at about $8.5 million and property tax at about $4.3 million. The presentation showed an unassigned general-fund balance of $19.9 million — about 44% of expenditures as of Sept. 30, 2024.

Separately at the meeting the mayor announced that S&P Global Ratings had raised the city’s long-term bond rating one notch, from double-A negative to double-A, and credited economic growth and the city’s financial position for the upgrade. The mayor and council praised the city finance staff for the audit results; the council authorized posting audit materials to the city website.

The audit presentation noted limited audit adjustments and that the auditors relied on separate auditors for the public library and airport authority financials. The firm also discussed upcoming Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncements and items the city should expect to address in future financial statements.","Auditor Malden & Jenkins reported an unmodified (clean) FY24 audit for Prattville, noting net position growth and strong reserves; S&P raised the city’s long-term bond rating one notch to double-A.",{"_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},6245223,"Prattville awards paving and chip-seal contracts; resident raises annexation and GIS concerns",1598,2896000,4494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168&start=2896&end=4494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168/thumbnail_2896000.jpg","/articles/6245223/Prattville/Autauga-County/Alabama/Prattville-awards-paving-and-chip-seal-contracts-resident-raises-annexation-and-GIS-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245223-1ad25b99121728e8c4609db49a481dcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164969&Signature=lS6cGqRCMBxiZudFUgpVJrCpFqpqwXN7IQ7ip~UYRMpHSJhSwM9rCElHTAUrZndNOmp3wUeAGaDEVQ3ISs09Aw9teN6PVuYWv23r0qjN7jkHHEWcBdhCqCHQC-eyitrnMCDSbuMF4-QS3mijuJohGmOXm09~~epPy~xfhqxDB1cS5tkAAGmg~a33PsJltN0gQqfwOwWsbQ5lQAmKB9kOtCfwxFj3t8Ob1B4uEiQRjTxn3cHPbaToDPf8vPNB~E8n32SfCIHIoTP2n1SSRcrU4aDpgH5TKZ8ihHi-7GGQffJ7u1r2W8UXaHoMKPI0FH3aTwLrJfdrALsuKWGhZhyH1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prattville City Council on May 6 awarded two contracts tied to street resurfacing and roadway maintenance and discussed the timing of planned work.

The council approved Resolution 6 awarding bid 025006 to Alexander Seal Coating and Striping Inc. for fiscal-year 2025 local paving at a cost not to exceed $1,339,855, funded from gas-tax budget lines. The council also approved Resolution 12 authorizing roadway maintenance by Charles E. Watts Inc. using chip-seal treatment for portions of Ridge Trail, Ridge Terrace, Johnson Street, Robinson Street, Reynolds Mill Road and Competition Street at a cost not to exceed $98,000, with funds appropriated from FY25 budget line items in engineering construction materials.

Mayor remarks during the meeting said Prattville had been awarded more than $338,000 in state funding from the Rebuild Alabama Act for resurfacing Northington Road and that, pending council approval on the paving and chip-seal agenda items, street paving and chip-seal work could begin around mid-June.

During public comment, resident David Jacques told the council that property along Ridge Trail and Ridge Terrace is listed in the city GIS as inside the corporate limits though he and others believe the parcels remain in the county. Jacques said neighbors do not want to be part of the city and that the GIS changes appeared recent. The mayor and staff responded that the city has a working agreement with Elmore County and that staff would review Jacques’s documentation; staff said it would follow up and that some historical records may go back to 1999.

The council approved both procurement items by voice/hand votes after motions and seconding; Resolution 6 was described in the meeting as a budgeted gas-tax fund expense and Resolution 12 relied on a procurement provision that allows public-works contracts under $100,000 to be let without competitive bids.","The City Council awarded a $1.339 million local paving contract and a $98,000 chip-seal contract and heard resident concerns that city GIS incorrectly shows portions of Ridge Trail and Ridge Terrace as inside city limits.",{"_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},6245227,"Prattville council approves two cable franchises, hires consultant for fiber negotiations and authorizes settlement with Charter/Spectrum",1826,2218000,4044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168&start=2218&end=4044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6245227/Prattville/Autauga-County/Alabama/Prattville-council-approves-two-cable-franchises-hires-consultant-for-fiber-negotiations-and-authorizes-settlement-with-CharterSpectrum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245227-e60e26e17894f965d1a1dad94d4b58e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164969&Signature=bbUYuOOVuES5Y~k0OfcXXHEbDMdcZ8guzrGcXh~nnx1MIhFBXyRYFyxFT~rH5hKeh1Z54orY1lMgn30UOOve3JQfOGQVVb~Kr7RLyXiJRfPo8rYRBVqZOyQ6UqzhOaAcvV9M0uNFxB9tO0oXv7zBXHb0yRCsjrFySQZ9JXTfF5C4olAzQqB30uzPbkDgx5Ys3JSDTnJwe8jryWEd~DpL~3~keWZFwU94GQqkDTF~RUM60QZAWgeKQjP9QexQ2Ta-T7oTCPZ81uApzbjKLliAoMKx6dixYCWuGG9j5qubbI6X~1TXtvMhpdMOnsYKRbxSiAhS2QpGi2E6Ofsj3WDFWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prattville City Council voted May 6 to grant franchise agreements to Spectrum Southeast LLC (Charter Communications) and to Technology of Alabama Inc., doing business as WOW Internet, Cable & Phone, authorizing both companies to construct, operate and maintain cable systems in the city and specifying conditions for use of the public right of way.

The council also authorized the mayor to sign a settlement agreement with Spectrum Southeast LLC (Charter Communications) to resolve disputed unpaid franchise-fee payments, and it approved a $14,000 advisory contract with Local Government Services LLC to assist the city in negotiating fiber services and examining compliance and franchise-fee remittances from fiber providers.

Both cable franchise ordinances (for Spectrum/Charter and WOW) were introduced by council members, the council suspended rules to permit same-night votes and then adopted the ordinances. Councilor Chambers introduced the Spectrum franchise by title; Councilor Merrick introduced the WOW franchise. The settlement with Charter/Spectrum was presented to the council as a negotiated resolution after an audit by a consultant that identified underpaid franchise fees.

Resolution 11 directs the city to amend its FY25 budget to fund the Local Government Services LLC engagement ($14,000) and authorizes the mayor to execute the consultant agreement. The resolution cites state procurement code provisions allowing the city to hire consultants with particular expertise without competitive bidding. The settlement resolution authorizes the mayor to sign an agreement with Spectrum/Charter to collect unpaid franchise fees; the resolution does not state the settlement amount in the meeting record.

Council discussion of the franchise items was brief during the meeting. Councilors suspended the rules to take the votes the same night; roll-call votes suspending the rules and placing the ordinances before the council were recorded for the suspension motions earlier in each item, after which the final ordinances were adopted by voice/hand vote.","The council granted franchise agreements to Spectrum (Charter) and WOW/Wow Internet, approved a $14,000 advisory contract to review fiber services and authorized a settlement to collect unpaid franchise fees from Spectrum/Charter.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6245232,"Prattville council adopts temporary moratorium on package stores, gas stations and vape shops",236,2460000,2696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168&start=2460&end=2696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226930-191af9a88e2607bee13cd89fe4382168/thumbnail_2460000.jpg","/articles/6245232/Prattville/Autauga-County/Alabama/Prattville-council-adopts-temporary-moratorium-on-package-stores-gas-stations-and-vape-shops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245232-5b9a0b639083c1c11320b4f3be839dda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164970&Signature=CdD6t6bb774NAe8DzP3H71~IyQy9CvhWJV85Uazd1AQdUWbLP2XzeIAEGXmOQt3PpsLQ9~RB2oQoUI-jh2Jyp6ySMkM3MjYLALEL2S~zscV~FmkK1lrZEdgyXBJ4T8GdPV06Zvf6f3f5kJxHbt8BgQdV0BxoFxX7u6rLyZ65J6zLKtIN1lruIWSJRR6JVJt5Vy8aU5Pt~O4wu--9emC5TwhNbdqnqCBZaGVXJGfqejGXJWgMyFwnHl4SHU1WkJhvCBNbwCJZHpAFOwjhquv2zTDhrLQntb-B4ziL4C-JiXNcSg7e8kBD9NgXdPuc1xc4foooWHkcvyXg5Sed7Gz6fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prattville City Council on May 6 adopted an ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on permits and approvals for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops inside the city limits, effective on passage and publication and extended to May 5, 2026.

Councilors said the pause will give city staff and elected officials time to review zoning code provisions that regulate those business types and consider changes intended to address public-safety and neighborhood concerns. Councilor Whaley moved the ordinance and later successfully moved an amendment extending the moratorium’s expiration date from November 2025 to May 5, 2026; the council adopted the amended ordinance by voice vote.

The moratorium text, read into the record by Councilor Whaley, said the pause is intended to “protect the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents” while the council reviews zoning provisions and that businesses with a building permit or an Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board license application filed before the ordinance’s effective date are exempt. The ordinance cites local licensing categories and the city’s code section referenced in the reading.

At the meeting, Councilor Whaley told colleagues he had expected a one-year window to complete the review and moved to extend the moratorium’s effective date. He said the change was intended to allow more time for drafting ordinance revisions. Councilor Jackson suggested the council also consider enforcement measures aimed at preventing youth access to vapes and recommended working with the police department on enforceable options.

Several members of the public addressed the council on related issues before the vote. Dennis Mullins, a Prattville resident, said he supported action but asked the council to extend the moratorium “at least a year,” arguing zoning changes and related meetings take considerable time. The council’s amendment extended the moratorium by roughly six months beyond the original expiration.

The moratorium was adopted after a motion to suspend the rules so the council could vote the same night. The council did not record a roll-call tally for the final adoption; the ordinance passed by the council’s recorded voice/hand vote.","The Prattville City Council voted to impose a temporary moratorium on permits and approvals for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops to allow a review of zoning rules; council extended the moratorium to May 5, 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Prattville council for transparency and new-book purchases at public library

Prattville receives clean FY24 audit, S&P upgrades city bond rating

Prattville awards paving and chip-seal contracts; resident raises annexation and GIS concerns

Prattville council approves two cable franchises, hires consultant for fiber negotiations and authorizes settlement with Charter/Spectrum

Prattville council adopts temporary moratorium on package stores, gas stations and vape shops