WS Minutes 2023.03.14PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2022
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council held a Work Session on Tuesday, March 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present. Council President Boone declared a
quorum and called the Work Session to order.
Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. was recorded as being present, in addition to the following staff: City
Clerk Paula G. Barlow, Mayor's Executive Assistant Lisa Byrd, Police Department Major James
Harry, Finance Director Daniel Oakley, City Attorney Andrew Odom, Assistant City Clerk Dawn
Russell, Deputy Finance Director Carlee Sims, and City Planner Scott Stephens.
Council President Boone opened the Work Session and explained that tonight's meeting was
casual in nature. She advised Mr. Oakley would give a financial overview of the funds collected
and how things are set up for the'/4 of one (1) cent and then she would call on each Councilor
by district for their suggestions, comments and questions. Council President Boone then
advised any follow-up questions could be asked and then closing comments.
Mr. Oakley presented a brief introduction on how the taxes are collected and when reports are
run for reconciliation. He stated after the reconciliation process, the one (1) cent portion is
divided into five "buckets" (10% to the General Fund Reserve and the remaining 90% to the
four other "buckets", one of which is Education). Each bucket has its own bank account. Mr.
Oakley advised that at the end of February, the Education bucket had approximately
$2,385,000.00. There will be a deposit of $154,000.00 at the end of March. The current
designations for the Education bucket are: Central Alabama Community College's (CACC) five-
year allocation of 25% of the funds going towards operations and maintenance of their Prattville
campus, paid quarterly and ending in 2026; and funds to pay the salaries of four School
Resource Officers (SRO) totaling $275,000.00 for Fiscal Year 2023. The past twelve months
have yielded approximately $1,998,000.00 for the Education bucket ($500,000.00 going to
CACC, leaving the City approximately $1,500,000.00 unallocated funds). Interest is accrued
for these types of accounts, but the total is nominal averaging approximately $800 per month.
Councilor Chambers requested clarification on the total amount remaining in the Education
fund account after CACC payments. Mr. Oakley advised that the approximation of $1.5 million
remaining did not account for this fiscal year's SRO payment.
Councilor Striplin inferred that both Federal and State unfunded mandates were imposing rules
and regulations on education systems that dramatically reduced local discretionary funds
compounded with the systemic issues throughout the State. He stated he is in favor of
continuing to support CACC, supporting the public library and providing educational funds for
initial and ongoing funding for a City artifact museum. Additionally, he is in favor of assisting
the Autauga County School Board with funds allocated for education based on a percentage
of sale tax revenue received. He explained that since the revenue stream is driven by sales
tax, varying each month, it would be an optimal choice to support percentage allocations versus
flat dollar amounts. Finally, he suggested the following allocation plan: 25% to CACC; 50% to
Autauga County Board of Education; and 25% to other educational endeavors.
Councilor Jackson voiced his concerns over student and teacher safety, correlating some of
his experiences as a teacher in the system. He stated it was important for the Council to invest
in schools and bring the system back to the forefront of success. Investing in the school system
and education projects will also positively impact economic development and be a driving force
to cultivate growth and retain prosperity. Councilor Jackson stressed transparency in the
allocation process and still liked the idea of utilizing an outside agency to manage funds.
Councilor Chambers wants to support the school system in the county as a whole with as much
funding as feasible. He mentioned that he has seen areas where schools in the system are
lagging behind. He was disappointed that the ad valorem tax was not passed, but hopes to see
something in the future. He echoed Councilor Striplin's assessment and supports funding for
CACC, the public library and an artifacts museum. He welcomed all stakeholders to
communicate their vision and ideas.
Councilor Gornto reiterated the reports concerning issues with academics and athletics falling
behind and improvements needed to be made. He agreed with Councilors Striplin, Jackson
and Chambers' overall assessments. He requested input from citizens and Board of Education
personnel, so that an informed decision on spending funds could be made in a timely manner.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik reiterated that the decisions of the Council are difficult
and that not all will be happy with outcomes. He would like for the money to stay inside the PJ.
He agreed with Councilor Striplin's suggestions on where to allocate funds and the percentage
concept. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik proposed allowing the Board of Education to
spend allocations without overreaching Council stipulations because they know the needs of
its schools and programs better than anyone else. He suggested that the Board of Education
provide the Council with scheduled reporting for analysis. Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik mentioned at no time has there been any talk of funding going toward Ivy Classical
Charter School.
Council President Boone asked Mr. Oakley how long since the account was established for the
'/4 of the one (1) cent sales tax. Mr. Oakley said he believed the account began in July 2021.
She would like to replace rhetoric with action, especially since the fund has been in existence
for going on two years. She agreed with Councilor Striplin's assessment of systemic problems,
but she would like to see immediate action taken to give the Board of Education an allocation
of money, so they can tackle their current pitfalls and address the systemic problems afterward.
She is comfortable with the City's Finance Department handling the account and allocation
process and does not feel the need to bring in outside assistance. Additionally, she stated the
Finance Department is transparent and must adhere to guidelines to ensure the integrity of its
work product. Council President Boone agrees with Councilor Striplin's idea to allocate funds
in percentages and CACC needs to remain in the funding talks along with the library and other
educational avenues. She agreed with the idea presented that the Board of Education could
decide how to spend the allocation with record -keeping reports back to the Council. Council
President Boone moved to closing comments.
Councilor Striplin concurred with the idea to allow the Board of Education to utilize the funding
as they see fit. He reiterated his suggestion that 50% go to the Board of Education, 25% to
CACC and the remaining 25% going to other educational purposes or projects.
Councilor Chambers agreed with the sense of urgency to assist the Board of Education. He
was in favor of Councilor Striplin's proposed percentage breakdown.
Councilor Gornto reiterated that it would be in the best interest to allow the Board of Education
to make decisions on how to spend allocations from the City. He agrees that a report from the
Board of Education would be imperative to maintain transparency.
Councilor Chambers wanted clarification on where money would be allocated, only in the PJ
or the entire county.
Councilor Jackson mentioned some communications with the Finance Department regarding
fees associated with an earlier proposal on how to allocate funding and that Mr. Oakley was
comfortable with those numbers. Mr. Oakley clarified that those communications dealt primarily
with the earlier proposal and its components with grant awards, which do not reflect the
direction of this evening's work session. Mr. Oakley advised that the Finance Department would
easily be able to handle the functions of accounting as proposed in the current Work Session.
Councilor Gornto asked what would stop the Board of Education from sending money to
schools outside of the PJ if that stipulation was in place.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik commented on the concerns of supplanting funds to
schools inside the Corporate limits stating that it was illegal. He feels that Board of Education
staff are well versed in those guidelines and policies.
Councilor Jackson asked for feedback from Autauga County Board of Education
Superintendent Tim Tidmore, who approached the Council. Mr. Tidmore advised that the board
knows where the immediate needs are and a process was in place with the appropriate
safeguards to track spending. He added that there are plans for another ad valorem vote to
come to the table.
Mr. Oakley asked the Council to decide on how to allocate the current funds and gave two
feasible processes, either year -by -year budgeting or long-term agreements (preferably none
that pass after the end of the quadrennium). He reminded Council that if it was the desire to
allocate funds to the high school and tech center, the ordinance passed regarding the of one
(1) cent needed to be amended to state such. As of now, funds could only be allocated to
schools within the Corporate limits. He also clarified that the library is funded by the General
Fund budget and the Council would need to decide if an allocation from the Education bucket
would replace or supplement the current money. Councilor Jackson asked if utilizing the single
sales use tax would be beneficial. Mr. Oakley did not think that was a viable option.
Council President Boone commented that she favored Councilor Striplin's percentage
breakdown and Councilor Jackson's belief that investing in the Board of Education would be
impactful to economic development. She urged the Council to consider an immediate resolution
with numbers alike to Councilor Striplin's suggestions and include a decision on funding the PJ
and other educational endeavors.
Council President Boone closed the Work Session by reporting on the many comments,
suggestions and questions broached by the public. She addressed one specific question
regarding the reallocation of funds for the Parks and Recreation Department, which she
advised is not on the table at this time.
Council President Boone adjourned the Work Session at 6:59 p.m.
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Dawn Russell
Assistant City Clerk
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