Greenville: one‑cent sales tax takes effect Feb. 1; mayor reports hospital sale progress and council approves budgeted expenditures

Mayor Jae’Ques Brown told the Greenville City Council on Jan. 12 that Frey Medical Management will begin managing the local hospital and pursue its purchase. Brown also clarified that the recently approved one‑cent sales tax was intended to strengthen the city’s finances, ‘‘not to attract Chick‑fil‑A,’’ according to his remarks recorded on the agenda summary.

City Clerk‑Treasurer Dee H. Blackmon said the one percent sales tax goes into effect Feb. 1 and will be in place for two years; the State of Alabama is expected to notify taxpayers. Administrative Assistant Brittany Blankenship announced the Camellia Gras event will be Feb. 21, with a downtown parade at 4:30 p.m.

Department heads reported routine public‑safety and service updates. Police Chief Lovvorn said a fast‑food employee was charged with identity theft, clarified that a recently reported murder occurred in Lowndes County (not Greenville), and reported Part I crime fell from 98 incidents in 2024 to 82 in 2025. Fire Chief Belletete said December saw 162 calls (130 EMS, 32 fire‑related) and that Engine 43 is back in service following turbo repairs.

On budget matters, Mayor Brown presented three budgeted expenditure items for approval: CAVMAC, $2,500 for GASB Statement No. 75 health‑care plan reporting; Gulf States Distributors, $4,397 for police ammunition; and Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, $5,565 for landfill groundwater monitoring. Councilmember Ed Sims moved to approve the expenditures; Councilmember Bryan Reynolds seconded. Mayor Brown announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the council.

The council also approved the minutes of the Dec. 22, 2025 regular meeting by unanimous motion earlier in the session and adjourned at 5:44 p.m.