Huntsville council approves IT server purchase, several ordinances and airport renaming

The Huntsville City Council on Monday approved a citywide IT/server upgrade, adopted multiple ordinances and a resolution renaming the municipal airport, and approved a budget amendment and a 2.5% cost-of-living raise for full-time city employees.

The council voted to purchase a centralized server and upgrade plan from the vendor Preferred, a package the mayor described as providing separate on-server space for police, court and administrative systems, hosted disaster recovery, Microsoft 365 management, and enhanced cyber protections. The mayor said the one-time purchase option would cost about $166,000; the vendor also offered a leaselike alternative of roughly $350 per month. "We're overdue for this server," the mayor said during discussion, urging immediate approval. Council moved, seconded and approved the purchase by roll call.

Council also completed third reading and adopted Ordinance 24‑7, which permits limited business between city officials and the city, and placed Ordinance 24‑8 (an amendment to the Parks and Recreation code) on second reading by title. In addition, the council adopted Resolution 16‑24 to rename the Huntsville Municipal Airport to Charles Cob Field at the Huntsville Municipal Airport to honor a local commissioner; the resolution text and spelling vary in the transcript and were adopted by voice vote.

Finance director Janice Smith summarized a proposed budget amendment that shows a net general-fund increase of about $294,500 tied to recent camera purchases, acquisition of park and airport land, insurance reimbursements and grants. Smith said the city also expects roughly $171,000 from the state related to a splash-pad project that remains pending. Council approved the budget amendment.

On personnel matters, the wage-and-salary committee recommended and the council approved a 2.5% cost-of-living raise for all full-time city employees effective Jan. 1; the mayor estimated the immediate budgetary impact in discussion and the motion passed by voice vote.

The council also filled a Park Commission vacancy, approving Batina Koger to the commission with John Parks considered as an alternate if needed. The mayor said interviews produced multiple qualified candidates.

What happens next: the city will proceed with procurement and vendor scheduling for the IT upgrade; Finance staff will clarify funding sources and whether unobligated funds or budgeted adjustments will cover the purchase and the recurring department cost increases.

Vote notes: Multiple items were approved by roll call or voice vote during the meeting; transcript indicates affirmative votes for the server purchase, the ordinances/resolution and the budget amendment.