[{"_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",6178408,"mediaKeyId","5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097","parentId",5239177,"title","Residents report discolored water; city outlines pipe-replacement grants and hydrant flushing response","audioSeconds",415,"startMs",2704000,"endMs",3119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097&start=2704&end=3119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097/thumbnail_2704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6178408/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Residents-report-discolored-water-city-outlines-pipe-replacement-grants-and-hydrant-flushing-response","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178408-2f6e90f646825fccb95db627c6c06669/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440293&Signature=Fn6OK~3ktKVUBcHpmGCT4GeKddLu18agkE99jywzbn1iRixT9J-272RD4QfAwMKas0yLvEQqCtf3-2EvVqb1-nKCj-dG3oQdx2f5kImJzXlsM8uuk62782Dl~g72leUrMXHkaBVrC~eJ5OKgkuG5p3cRVii0ayV7p3YyFEIOAhXak3pxU-swO8c2JZUYLKEQiR-ho5xqvETlSCHKR-r~Soq1FeAWhKmVd2ZiUEBCcfFGGpiP0pXh9Y0uAZG1lYxEz~TeNvzdXhDQ6Mjl-DKmtS~HoJ8B~5dvQHlXypkNfGURVAGAx4pJ~N7Hyo4Jykxsm~yX~Onxty92j5tZELiXKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alexander City, AL","date","2025-07-07T13:27:26Z","article","Several residents told the Alexander City Council on July 7 that they had experienced discolored water and poor taste; staff said flushing hydrants often resolves those short-term issues and described ongoing work to replace old downtown mains funded by grants.

A resident who identified herself while praising utility staff said she asked the water department to flush a hydrant and that the next day there was a marked improvement: \"it was a 100% difference. I could drink the water the next day,\" she said, thanking Lynn and the water crew.

City staff echoed the recommendation to report discolored water so crews can respond. Staff explained that lightning and other events can loosen material in older pipes and that flushing affected sections often restores clarity. Staff said many older downtown mains are ductile iron and that crews have been flushing problem areas to clear deposits.

The mayor told the council the city secured a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award of about $600,000 and additional funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to replace old water mains downtown. The mayor said the original project scope and price increased during the COVID era (noting a higher cost experienced during the pandemic) and that the city has closed successive grants and is proceeding to the next phases to replace more cast-iron pipes over multiple years.

Staff said they have recently completed work on streets including Houston, Seventh and Green and that the multi-year plan is to continue replacing aging infrastructure as funds are available. The mayor noted the work has taken several years because the city sequences grants and closes them before seeking the next round.

Councilors and residents thanked the water crew for rapid responses to reported leaks and discolored water. Staff reiterated that residents who have discolored water should call the utility office so crews can flush hydrants and investigate low spots where deposits accumulate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday July 7, 2025 Regular Meeting City Council- 5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Residents raised concerns about discolored and bad-tasting water at the July 7 council meeting. City staff and the mayor described hydrant flushing as a common remedy and outlined recent and planned infrastructure work funded by Community Development Block Grant and Appalachian Regional Commission awards to replace aging pipes downtown.","taxTitle","Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, Alabama","taxId",56010,"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},6178413,"Council sets public hearing for demolition/condemnation program; members debate liens and in-house demolition",216,1950000,2166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097&start=1950&end=2166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097/thumbnail_1950000.jpg","/articles/6178413/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Council-sets-public-hearing-for-demolitioncondemnation-program-members-debate-liens-and-in-house-demolition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178413-7b3ba4e49adf0c6632fd3e03d59a6336/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440293&Signature=giPuAQoSv-3sAQkQzUzxgg14-Lj2al7Zt43QLhQown6YZhEC99oKqvRl4Yts3P617rJfJ3YIgYFjLyrkrQTGTK~bDh-v0b~Q5C-vYDS7RFF5NuKAo1-Dz8wf5HMI9-RpFH-NlTFoPX~d0PJ2NlTUXF79wo0N19oLutcalVgzW~PrGd3pNXykoAYTHb98SDs2GConilJqse3a-8wIIa5BjwBEZefo0XUgFbvA6HXWahxZh-WI08jDDElVkwJO9YMooMlQCJFKEZ1c2loaBm7xTfmwgDmEPP6uHg~fcx8q6tXJ~d~MoF1lMkQl49cGKNRyvuwVSuC~m5ryE9pFZOHrPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alexander City Council on July 7 approved a resolution to set a public hearing on fiscal-year 2025 condemnation of various properties and discussed how the city will handle dilapidated structures.

Council discussion acknowledged many structures are in poor condition and need to be removed. One council member said they opposed placing liens on properties because owners often cannot pay and liens rarely result in recovery: \"I don't like to put names on the property... I don't have an issue with tearing down the properties, but I still disagree with putting liens on property because 9 times out of 10, we're not gonna get that money back,\" the council member said.

City staff explained condemnation is a step taken only after other options have been exhausted, including attempts to locate owners and get permission to address dilapidation. Staff said many properties on the list did not respond to outreach and that it can be difficult to identify legal owners. The hearing the council approved is a procedural step in that process.

Staff described plans to do more in-house work with the fire, sewer and water departments to reduce contractor costs. The city aims to lower demolition expenses substantially by using city crews for tasks such as clearing ash and debris rather than hiring outside contractors; staff estimated that in-house work could reduce costs from tens of thousands of dollars per property to a few thousand dollars, depending on the parcel.

Council members said the condemnation resolution is the next step in a process that includes outreach to owners and multiple attempts to resolve dilapidation without condemnation. The motion to set the public hearing passed; staff will proceed with the hearing process and continue coordinating among departments to manage costs and prioritize structures.

The council emphasized the goal of protecting neighborhoods by removing unsafe structures while trying to limit the financial burdens on property owners when possible.","Alexander City Council set a public hearing to consider condemnation of various dilapidated properties and discussed balancing demolition costs, liens and an in-house approach to reduce expenses. Some council members objected to placing liens given low recovery prospects.",{"_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},6178418,"Council approves rezoning for Flint Hill Church after public hearing; church asks for fee waiver",515,1381000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097&start=1381&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097/thumbnail_1381000.jpg","/articles/6178418/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Council-approves-rezoning-for-Flint-Hill-Church-after-public-hearing-church-asks-for-fee-waiver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178418-fc0c3fb1f8c06c682f037e3022120ce6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440293&Signature=AaZVKAunm1Y0jj~HIMkwsT29BnOuIdThH4mUqnODdWDZeRw4Es-b2FopylHotoKvY0Qng74iKFj7xXxjqaJg8r8ocARNWma0cHu5ayFgVr~YUbrhUKDp2i2QR4-Er-8CPLOZ62on12GH0HVULjbJSC3WHsLeEguOD1ZBT2H~gZ0D1f-hemGXua-bvZ2XvpmppuKC2LAAWJTFix81pnvkiTFpZhB8EAv9K8n5dGgFPydUNb0BP6Jon3RIL7AkYEBi5qWrAcXLDBn~T4q79P-RXxnPBC3cBdERxm~hKRBudMKfJG3lVAFuFYMoZNWaTWaxa83~aVxiq4l1rmkQrNr~Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alexander City Council voted on July 7 to rezone approximately 4.92 acres for Flint Hill Church from R-1 (low-density residential) to B-2 (general business) after a public hearing during which a church representative asked the council to waive rezoning fees.

John Hill, speaking for the congregation, told the council the church has occupied the site since 1851 and that members discovered in 2016 their property had been rezoned. \"Flint Hill has been on that corner since 1851 and we have been burying people there since probably before 1851,\" Hill said. He asked the council to \"consider us, with grace and not charge us the fees that are associated with the rezoning process.\"

Council staff explained the fees include planning commission and newspaper-advertising costs required to set hearings and to publish the ordinance if adopted. During the exchange, staff said the planning commission process and associated fees occur before the council hearing and that advertising costs are a substantial part of the fees.

Council members asked staff for a breakdown of the fees and for additional research into how the property was placed in R-1 zoning in 2016. Staff said they would provide more detail about the process and fee components.

The council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance to rezone the 4.92 acres to B-2 in a roll-call vote in which Councilor Phillips, Councilor Tapley, Councilor Eric Brown, Council President Pro Tem Chris Brown and the chair voted yes.

Earlier in the meeting, staff had opened a public hearing on the matter and heard Hill's remarks before the council acted on the ordinance. Council members discussed that consolidating lots and required advertisements are part of the permit and rezoning process; staff said advertising frequency and cost vary depending on notices required.

The council said staff will follow up with a clearer accounting of the fees and a review of the property's zoning history.","Alexander City Council voted to rezone about 4.92 acres associated with Flint Hill Church from R-1 (low-density residential) to B-2 (general business) after a public hearing. A church representative asked the council to waive rezoning fees, saying the congregation had been rezoned improperly in 2016 and that burials precede the change.",{"_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},6178423,"City auditor: Alexander City general fund deficit narrowed in 2022; utilities remain profitable",266,825000,1091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097&start=825&end=1091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5239177-30458bb32b53538ac1087fc3ed799097/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6178423/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/City-auditor-Alexander-City-general-fund-deficit-narrowed-in-2022-utilities-remain-profitable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178423-36abf499579dffd917ce8356b33072d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440293&Signature=cSBwr~qUH9rBoZ6BsBsTUlya8BYBqE~1R5LqVBGo3CspuOY5y7xFBsI~NYyfu~-zWv6p95f6XoMZ1Ypcrhy5YCk~j67titRrkmvag~~i0MPSN5KTzRs9qxTW5BBMUPnW0sutqAU0mKw4a1nQNs8ERCBjl1D9ubRLp7GjLpDqN7EdvXkZvexi8iGFKvoqyiCCcQ8Tp-pVm98nfioz6C60znIvqlvcq5mjJOp4FYwoOOrU08IdfpJqJvHUfSmZ8xA5HWaOJKfmQWUxd93j8lzz9Wbro6YES2t2bN-Gu2pMuuo2YwsNj2VkNISjth0FOeidGSlLc4D5EY59XR3mzkE5tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alexander City Council heard a presentation on the city's fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2022, during its July 7 meeting, when an auditor summarized results and progress on prior-year financial issues.

The auditor told the council the city's general fund still carries a deficit but that \"it's continuing to improve,\" and that the utilities recorded net income in 2022.

The auditor said the fund income statement on page 12 showed the general fund deficit remains but is smaller than in prior years, and that the utility funds shown on page 16 all reported positive net income and retained earnings. The presenter also noted the finance department and named staff have worked to clear several prior-year findings, including record retention and budget-process items.

\"We still have a deficit, but it's continuing to improve,\" the auditor said, adding that the city is no longer experiencing the repeated net losses seen in earlier years. The auditor highlighted work to address prior findings such as untimely reconciliations and incomplete financial policies, and said those issues are being resolved and expected to drop off in future audits.

Council members asked few follow-up questions during the presentation. Council President Pro Tem Chris Brown and others thanked finance staff for the improvements; the auditor noted work would continue on closing subsequent years and that the finance department and external accountants would move to wrap up 2023 and begin 2024 work.

The auditor also pointed council members to a required communications letter that accompanies the financial statements; the letter explains estimates in the statements, such as pension valuations, and notes that the audit team had no disagreements with management.

The presentation closed with the auditor offering to answer questions about the audit process and next steps; council members expressed appreciation to finance staff for progress on clearing findings and improving reporting.

Looking ahead, the auditor said the city and finance staff are continuing work on 2023 and 2024 accounting closeouts so those years will be available for review in upcoming cycles.","An auditor presented the city's fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022 audit to Alexander City Council, saying the general fund still showed a deficit but had improved, utility funds produced net income and several prior-year financial findings have been cleared.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents report discolored water; city outlines pipe-replacement grants and hydrant flushing response

Council sets public hearing for demolition/condemnation program; members debate liens and in-house demolition

Council approves rezoning for Flint Hill Church after public hearing; church asks for fee waiver

City auditor: Alexander City general fund deficit narrowed in 2022; utilities remain profitable