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Trussville council approves Series 2026 school warrants after debate over public access to track
Summary
After debate over public access and timing, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to issue Series 2026 General Obligation School Warrants that will refund Series 2015 debt, lower interest costs and free about $920,000 for a $1.2 million high-school track replacement.
The City Council of Trussville on Feb. 10 approved an ordinance authorizing Series 2026 General Obligation School Warrants to refund the city’s Series 2015 school warrants, freeing roughly $920,000 for a planned $1.2 million track replacement and related improvements at the high school.
Rice Advisory Managing Director Chris Williams and bond counsel Rod Kanter told the council the refund preserves the original payment schedule while reducing the interest rate from about 4.2% to about 3.38% over the remaining term. Kanter said the sale was scheduled to close Feb. 26 and urged the council to consider the ordinance immediately so the city would not jeopardize market access.
The project, Dr. Patrick Martin, superintendent of City Schools, said, is part of the board’s capital plan: the existing 12‑year‑old track was designed for 10 years of use, hosts school and community meets including Special Olympics and regional events, and has safety problems such as long-jump approaches that are now concrete. HTHS track coach Jimmy Johnson told the council the worn surface is contributing to shin splints and that a new track would help Trussville remain competitive for postseason meets.
Councilor Jim Miller raised objections about public access and stewardship of funds, saying residents had been promised public access when the track was built and warning that increased public use shortens the track’s lifespan. His NO vote on a motion for unanimous consent to consider the ordinance immediately defeated the first attempt at suspension of rules, forcing a delay. After a motion to reconsider was made and the council voted to take up the matter, Councilor Brian Jackson moved to approve the ordinance; the council then voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-003-ADM.
Kanter told the council that missing the intended closing could have negative consequences for the city’s credit and its ability to access the bond market and that investors were already lined up to buy the warrants. City Clerk Dan Weinrib confirmed the council could post a 24‑hour notice and hold a special-called meeting if needed, which was the alternative to suspending rules.
The ordinance preserves the city’s debt service schedule and transfers the immediate savings to the school system for the track project; Dr. Martin said the contractor intends to begin work after the last meet in April with an aim to finish by July. If project costs exceed estimates, Dr. Martin said the school board would be responsible for the overrun.
The council’s final vote to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-003-ADM was recorded as unanimous. The next procedural step is implementation by the city’s finance and school officials to effect the refund and schedule the construction work.
