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Hamilton City Council approves FY2025-26 budget and several infrastructure and personnel measures
Summary
The council adopted the FY2025-26 budget and approved a state-federal sidewalk agreement, a water-department mapping system purchase and a retroactive pay scale for water employees; a surplus-vehicle sale was tabled and a library-board appointment was confirmed.
Hamilton City — The Hamilton City Council at its most recent meeting adopted the fiscal 2025-26 budget and approved a set of items covering sidewalks, water-department technology and employee pay, while tabling a planned surplus-vehicle sale.
The council approved a resolution to enter an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to build a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) sidewalk project on the east side of Milliken Street from Bexar Avenue to Alabama Highway 17. Council action also authorized the city clerk to open a new non‑interest checking account at First National Bank to hold the TAP grant funds and the city’s local share.
Why it matters: the sidewalk project is financed through the federal TAP program with an 80/20 federal‑to‑local split, which requires the city to set aside matching funds and a separate bank account for grant administration. The mapping-system purchase and the pay-scale changes affect operational capacity for the Hamilton Water Department and employee compensation.
Most important actions
- FY2025-26 budget: The council adopted the 2025-26 budget as presented. City staff described roughly $13 million in combined city and water revenues, with approximately $11 million attributable to the city and about $3 million to the Hamilton Water Department. Presenters said the proposed capital and maintenance projects total about $3.9 million, including roughly $1.5 million for water projects. Council discussion indicated the water operation is projected to run an operating deficit of about $800,000–$900,000 absent additional subsidy or project deferrals. The budget motion carried.
- TAP sidewalk agreement and grant account: The council approved a resolution to enter into the ALDOT TAP grant for sidewalk improvements on Milliken Street. The council noted the grant uses an 80/20 funding split; the transcript did not specify the city’s dollar share. The council also approved opening a dedicated, non‑interest checking account at First National Bank for the TAP project funds.
- Water‑department mapping system: The council approved purchasing and installing a geographic mapping system for the Hamilton Water Department to locate the city’s water and sewer lines. Staff estimated the project cost would range from $10,000 to $15,000, with a maximum of $15,000, plus an unspecified monthly service fee for ongoing updates.
- Water employee pay scale: The council adopted a new pay scale for Hamilton Water Department positions, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2022, as presented by staff. Salary examples noted in the presentation included a department manager salary of $66,560 and top pay ranges for treatment operators described in the meeting materials. The motion to adopt the pay scale carried.
Other business
- Library board appointment: The council appointed Linda Fox to the Hamilton Library Board to replace longtime board member Molly Lunsford and agreed to name Lunsford an honorary member.
- Surplus property: A recommendation to declare certain vehicles and equipment surplus and sell them was tabled because the council had not received the written list in time.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution to enter ALDOT TAP sidewalk agreement (project on Milliken Street): approved. Mover/Seconder: motion and second announced on the record; roll‑call votes were not given in the transcript.
- Authorization to open a non‑interest checking account at First National Bank for the TAP project: approved. Mover/Seconder: motion and second announced; roll‑call votes not recorded in transcript.
- Purchase and installation of Hamilton Water Department mapping system (estimate up to $15,000): approved. Mover/Seconder: motion and second announced; roll‑call votes not recorded in transcript.
- Adoption of water‑department pay scale, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2022: approved. Mover/Seconder: motion and second announced; roll‑call votes not recorded in transcript.
- Adoption of FY2025-26 budget: approved. Mover/Seconder: motion and second announced; roll‑call votes not recorded in transcript.
- Declaration of surplus vehicles/equipment: tabled (no final action). Mover: councilmember motion to table; second recorded.
What the record shows and what it does not
The meeting transcript includes motions and “all those in favor” confirmations for multiple items, but it does not provide a formal roll‑call of individual yes/no votes or numerical tallies for the recorded motions. Where dollar amounts or other numeric details were not stated plainly in the record (for example, the city’s exact matching dollar amount for the TAP grant), the article indicates those figures are not specified in the transcript.
