Irondale mayor outlines $15 million municipal complex, highlights new transparency tools

Mayor Stewart said the City of Irondale will build a new municipal complex on Crestwood Boulevard that will consolidate administration, police, courts, inspections and water operations.

The mayor said the new complex is expected to replace the current city building "hopefully within 24 months" and that the project will cost about $15,000,000. He also said the city adopted ClearGov software to publish five years of financial data and that more than 2,000 residents use the city's smartphone app to receive information.

The mayor framed the facilities plan as part of his administration—1s five priorities—education, employee empowerment, environment, economic development and ecotourism—and said the administration will continue applying those priorities to city decisions. He noted the city adopted ClearGov to increase public access to revenue, expenses and capital-project information and said the app will soon add text-message alerts for residents.

The mayor also said the city—1s current operating budget is "over $37,000,000" with about $16,000,000 in reserve. He urged reporters to share information about city projects and events and invited the public to the State of the City event in February.

No formal vote or ordinance on the municipal complex was presented at the session; the comments were an informational briefing from the mayor.

Ending: Mayor Stewart closed by saying the administration wants several staff members to speak publicly about their programs so residents hear a range of departmental perspectives as the projects move forward.