Gadsden council OKs bus purchase, grants Alabama Power easement; two ordinances given first reading

The Gadsden City Council on Jan. 27 adopted a resolution to buy three 2024 Ford E-450 buses for the transportation department and granted Alabama Power an easement to supply power to the new Fire Station No. 5 on Nockelure Road. The council also gave first readings to two ordinances: a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment to move $288,000 for a property purchase at 221 Broad Street, and a change to city code to add a $5-per-night surcharge on campground rentals.

The adopted bus purchase resolution authorizes use of Sourcewell contracts to acquire three new or used 2024 Ford E-450 buses at a total cost of $520,791. President Beck noted the funding leverage on the purchase, saying, “anytime we can spend 20¢ on the dollar to get something like this, I think it's a win for the city and the taxpayers.” Council members also acknowledged an 80% match through the 307 fund identified by the transportation department.

The council moved to consider one item of new business at the meeting and adopted Resolution 2025-072 to approve an Alabama Power easement so the utility can “get in there and get that bad boy lit up” for the new Fire Station No. 5, as described during the meeting. The council suspended the rules to take up the easement as new business and then approved the resolution.

Both ordinances presented under first reading were described to the council and scheduled for final votes at the next meeting. The budget amendment would transfer $288,000 from the economic development fund balance into the land account to purchase property at 221 Broad Street; the lodging-tax ordinance would amend City Code Chapter 74, Article 10, Section 291 to add a $5-per-night privilege surcharge on campground rentals. No final votes on those ordinances were taken; they were presented for first reading and will return for a vote at the next meeting.

Administrative matters also advanced by voice votes: the council approved minutes from Jan. 21 and ratified payment of accounts for the week of Jan. 17–23. Department reports were not presented. The meeting concluded with council remarks about local events, a reminder to use the City of Gadsden app for service requests, and condolences to the family of Dr. Wayne Watts.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution to purchase three buses (Sourcewell contract): adopted (voice vote; individual votes not recorded). Cost: $520,791. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-072 — Alabama Power easement for Fire Station No. 5 (suspend rules; adopt): adopted (voice vote; individual votes not recorded). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance (first reading) — FY2025 budget amendment: transfer $288,000 from economic development fund balance to land account for purchase of 221 Broad Street: presented for first reading; final vote scheduled next meeting. - Ordinance (first reading) — City Code Chapter 74, Article 10, Section 291: $5 per-night campground surcharge: presented for first reading; final vote scheduled next meeting. - Approval of Jan. 21 work session and council meeting minutes: adopted (voice vote). - Ratify payment of accounts for week of Jan. 17–23: adopted (voice vote).

The council did not record roll-call tallies for the voice votes taken; motions were put and carried by voice, and the meeting record shows no individual recorded “no” votes. The council had a quorum present for the meeting.