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Andalusia council approves 6% cost-of-living raise, greenlights park, playground and equipment purchases
Summary
At its November meeting, the Andalusia City Council approved a 6% cost-of-living raise for city employees (about $640,000), authorized park and playground purchases including a $569,000 carousel and a $585,651 playground, extended several contracts and made board reappointments.
The Andalusia City Council on Monday approved a 6% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees, authorized multiple park and equipment purchases and confirmed several board appointments.
Mayor Earl V Johnson told the council the proposed pay increase would add “not about exactly $640,000” to the city’s payroll, or roughly 1.9% of the city’s total budget for the fiscal year, and recommended the measure. “I highly recommend that you approve this resolution,” Johnson said before the council approved Resolution 2025-39 by voice vote.
The council also approved the Chamber of Commerce’s Candyland budget for this year at $121,103.58, which includes about $12,000 in capital improvements for the holiday event.
On capital projects, council members approved a $569,000 low bid to purchase a new 39-seat, ADA-compliant carousel for Heritage Park, to be built in California and shipped with vendor-supplied training and installation support. Mayor Johnson said the purchase will be funded from the city’s 2022 Series A bond issue and recommended ordering the carousel now to meet the park opening timeline.
Council also approved $164,800 in Heritage Park site allocations from the same bond fund: $8,000 for sod (Huggin Sod Farm), $26,800 to HydroSeed/Holloway Land Solutions LLC, $45,000 for a sprinkler system from J. Kelly Scapes and Designs, $10,000 for miscellaneous topsoil and $75,000 for asphalt paving of the park’s running/bike track.
The council accepted a $585,651 bid from Struthers Recreation LLC to replace playground equipment at Robinson Park; the mayor said part of the purchase is covered by a DECO grant.
Other business approved included an extension of the city’s recycling processing agreement with Emerald Coast Utilities Authority on the same terms as the existing contract and the purchase of four police vehicles from Andalusia Ford for $183,082 plus approximately $8,400 in outfitting costs. A council member noted the value of doing business with a local vendor.
Mayor Johnson also nominated Beth Woodard and Jimmy Black for reappointment to the Andalusia Industrial Development Board and Elizabeth Bennett for reappointment to the Andalusia Public Library board; the council approved those appointments.
Where votes were recorded by voice, council members indicated assent and the mayor declared the motions adopted. The council adjourned after holding these items.
The council also held a first reading on an ordinance to allow licensed vendors to sell alcoholic beverages after 12 noon on Sundays; that measure requires a second reading before a final vote.
