Lanett council adopts 2025 budget and 2034 comprehensive plan; rejects water-main repair authorization

The Lanett City Council on Sept. 16 approved the city's 2025 budget, adopted the 2034 Comprehensive Plan and approved a series of resolutions on dilapidated properties and insurance while rejecting a request to authorize a water-main repair at a private property.

The budget vote, recorded as Resolution 09-24-05 and read aloud by Councilmember Tamalita Autry, passed by unanimous motion; Mayor Jamie Heard later noted the budget includes a 3% pay increase for city employees. The council also voted to adopt Resolution 09-24-01, the city's 2034 Comprehensive Plan after Planning Commission member Charles Bagley read and discussed the plan.

Several smaller resolutions passed without recorded dissent. The council approved Resolution 09-24-02 and Resolution 09-24-04, which direct action on dilapidated houses owned by Donald Taylor and James Burton, respectively. It renewed AMIC property and liability insurance under Resolution 09-24-07 and approved a Police and Fire Department pay-grade change under Resolution 09-24-06. Council also accepted an Alabama Tourism Grant for the Recreation Department via Resolution 09-24-09.

A contested measure failed after a roll call. Resolution 09-24-08, to authorize repairs to a water main at 401 First Street (property owner: Carmen Davis), was moved by Councilmember Tony Malone and seconded by Councilmember Tifton Dobbs; Malone requested a roll-call vote. The tally was Malone: No; Autry: No; Dobbs: Abstained; Tucker: No; Heard: No. The motion failed (0 yes, 4 no, 1 abstain).

Mayor Heard also reported the city is continuing work on street paving with an active list of 11 streets, introduced the new city inspector Mark Crowder, and said the city had received two applications for the airport manager position. Councilmember Ronnie Tucker said he plans to form a Neighborhood Watch in District 3 and thanked the water department for a late-night repair. The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. and adjourned at 6:34 P.M.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 09-24-01 (second reading, electronic vote counters for 2025 election): motion carried (unanimous). - Ordinance 09-24-02 (first reading, airport annexation): first reading announced; no action taken. - Resolution 09-24-01 (adopt 2034 Comprehensive Plan): adopted (motion carried). - Resolution 09-24-02 (abatement: Donald Taylor property): adopted (motion carried). - Resolution 09-24-04 (abatement: James Burton property): adopted (motion carried). - Resolution 09-24-05 (approve 2025 budget, includes 3% employee increase): adopted (motion carried). - Resolution 09-24-06 (police and fire pay-grade change): adopted (motion carried). - Resolution 09-24-07 (renew AMIC property and liability insurance): adopted (motion carried). - Resolution 09-24-08 (authorize water-main repair at 401 First Street): failed on roll call (Malone: No; Autry: No; Dobbs: Abstain; Tucker: No; Heard: No). - Resolution 09-24-09 (accept Alabama Tourism Grant for Recreation Department): adopted (motion carried).

The council recorded attendance as Mayor Jamie Heard and councilmembers Tony Malone, Tamalita Autry, Tifton Dobbs and Ronnie Tucker; Councilmember Angelia Finley Thomas was absent.

The meeting record shows Code Enforcement Officer Johnny Wood conducted a public hearing on dilapidated houses at 822 S. 12th Street and 509 N. 10th Avenue; the minutes record the hearing but do not include individual public comments in the transcript. The council adjourned following a motion by Malone and a second by Tucker.

Attestations in the minutes list Jamie L. Heard, Mayor, and Deborah Gilbert, City Clerk/Treasurer, as signatories.