Gadsden City Council approves police hires, campground lodging surcharge and vehicle contracts

The Gadsden City Council on (date not specified) adopted a series of budget amendments, procurement awards and code changes that funded new police positions, created a $5 nightly surcharge for campground rentals and approved two police vehicle purchases.

The council approved a $400,000 transfer from the opioid settlement fund balance to cover purchases and personnel costs tied to hiring additional police officers. Councilwoman Latham introduced the ordinance and the council voted to suspend the rules to consider it as new business; the ordinance was adopted with one abstention. The ordinance funds clothing, supplies, training and travel, computer equipment, full‑time employee pay and benefits, uniform allowance and workers’ compensation tied to the new hires.

The council also adopted an ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2025 budget to transfer $288,000 from the economic development fund balance into the city’s land account to purchase property at 221 Broad Street. That ordinance passed with one abstention.

On taxation, the council amended city code chapter 74, article 10, section 291 to add a $5-per-night privilege or license surcharge on campground rentals. Councilman Wilson announced on the record that he would abstain because he has “business with owners of some RV parks.” The lodging-tax ordinance carried with one abstention.

In procurement votes, the council awarded bid number 3591 for 2025 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Black Edition vehicles to Ronnie Watkins Ford for $224,800 and awarded bid number 3592 for a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado police pursuit vehicle to Hardy Automotive for $48,666. The fleet‑related awards were adopted by resolution.

Related to those awards, the council presented — for first reading only — an ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2025 budget by transferring $275,000 from the opioid settlement fund balance into the equipment account to fund the vehicle purchases; council members will vote on that budget ordinance at a future meeting.

Under new business, the council adopted a resolution rescinding resolution R‑6505‑24, which had approved issuance of an alcoholic beverage license at 823 Tuscaloosa Avenue; the staff said the rescission was necessary because of a change of name and ownership on the pending application. The council also amended section 74‑62 of the city code to add “intercompany book transfers” to the definition of gross receipts used for business-license calculations; that ordinance passed unanimously after suspension of the rules.

Mayor Ford used his remarks to announce a city amnesty court day scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., saying the event will allow residents to pay “up to 50% of your fine with the judge” and avoid arrest if they come to court that day. Ford also said the city’s paving crew has started work and praised partnership discussions with Gadsden State Community College on workforce and dual‑enrollment projects.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance: Transfer $288,000 from economic development fund balance to land account to purchase 221 Broad Street — Adopted (motion carries; 1 abstention). - Ordinance: Amend city code ch. 74, art. 10, §291 — $5/night campground surcharge — Adopted (Councilman Wilson abstained). - Resolution: Award bid #3591 to Ronnie Watkins Ford for Ford Explorer police vehicles — Adopted; amount $224,800. - Resolution: Award bid #3592 to Hardy Automotive for Chevrolet Silverado police pursuit vehicle — Adopted; amount $48,666. - Ordinance (first reading): Transfer $275,000 from opioid settlement fund to equipment account for vehicle purchases — First reading; vote next week. - Ordinance: Transfer $400,000 from opioid settlement fund balance to hire additional police officers — Adopted (suspended rules; 1 abstention). - Resolution: Rescind R‑6505‑24 (alcoholic beverage license at 823 Tuscaloosa Ave) — Adopted. - Ordinance: Amend §74‑62 definition of gross receipts to include intercompany book transfers — Adopted (unanimous).

Several items were handled under suspension of the rules so they could be considered and voted on at the same meeting; where council members announced abstentions, that is recorded above. The meeting included routine approvals (minutes and ratification of weekly accounts), department reports were not presented, and the council announced a special called nuisance and abatement hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. later the same day.