[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6090043,"mediaKeyId","2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c","parentId",2869701,"title","Council approves $32.3 million in expenditures; finance director urges caution amid mixed revenue trends","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",2456000,"endMs",2920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c&start=2456&end=2920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c/thumbnail_2456000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6090043/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Council-approves-323-million-in-expenditures-finance-director-urges-caution-amid-mixed-revenue-trends","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6090043-29e6f0feea51abf5f883c3e97c3b3203/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168190&Signature=Ly1J3vcp~WZG6kAh0f29sTkRfxr2IYsR0BMQlMaQ7~O8Gcws-WRGKkv4pVs1~fX7C92JEOMDOChweItveEq19W0m-dac834eYNeyq91xNKyKPce2YWktRPB99Ve7eyWyjNCJn0Dhe-9M5EkyXf4G8R7dB7toiueRA4tbm8zaUvyoGN8FE50Tq5-s6o61h-Rimv5dKGmd5Dc205qLnLRceD0Zt6y2G~1X3HHLdOBE8uhd3-1jfSsjvdwsv9KKm4Lgx2mXA-7w1AnR2v1icjriKkhOaJ9l6d9f0f4NCcp524GIjkc4NTmmQJWBvNdhByMj9gLvr8hUN2pt~WN5dMKkyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huntsville city, AL","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Huntsville City Council on March 13 approved expenditures totaling $32,335,411.37 and a package of routine ordnance and appointments while Finance Director Penny Smith presented a quarterly financial update that urged caution on spending.

Penny Smith, finance director, told the council that sales and use tax revenue through January put the city about $1.7 million — roughly 33.8% of the year — ahead of prior‑year numbers at the 33% point of the fiscal year. Smith said February preliminary numbers indicated sales and use tax might be down roughly 0.5% from the prior year, while lodging tax showed double‑digit increases in the first quarter and remained up year‑over‑year through February.

“We are on budget,” Smith said during her remarks, adding that the city should “communicate any concerns” from departments and “look twice before we add expenditures to the current budget.” She described the update as a “cautionary tale,” saying most analysts view a recession as unlikely but urging departments to be prudent given ongoing economic uncertainties and a pending federal continuing resolution that could affect defense spending in the region.

Mayor Battle, who also spoke during the finance presentation, emphasized the city’s long‑term economic diversification and the importance of monitoring spending. He listed local assets such as Redstone Arsenal and the Research Park, and said the city remains in a “fairly good shape” while agreeing with the finance director on cautious budget management.

Votes at a glance (selected items approved by the council):
• Expenditures for payment: Motion to approve $32,335,411.37 (moved by President Meredith, second by Ms. Watkins) — approved by voice vote. The finance director presented the accompanying financial slides.
• Appropriations from District 3 improvement funds: $20,000 to Landscape Department for dead‑tree removal at Ditto Landing; $5,000 to Parks and Recreation for Hays Urban Park and McGuckin Park improvements — approved.
• Easement and utility items: Ordinances vacating utility/drainage easements for Trailhead Investment Company LLC and Chase Creek Park; resolution accepting a 0.43‑acre sanitary sewer easement and a 0.28‑acre temporary construction easement off Stringfield Road — approved.
• Zoning and mapping: Adoption of new base map sheets to be part of the official zoning maps — approved.
• Board appointments: Billy Lennox and Tanya Bridal appointed to the Beautification Board; nominations made for Community Development Citizens Advisory Council and Solid Waste Disposal Authority seats — approved/nominated as recorded.
• Department head appointment: Council approved appointment of Alan Moosny to a leadership position in inspections to serve with the mayor's term; Gene Yule named interim IT director — approved.

Council members approved the listed items mostly by unanimous voice votes; the meeting minutes and votes were recorded as voice outcomes and did not include roll‑call tallies in the public transcript for those items.

The finance director reiterated that while current numbers are not cause for alarm, continued monitoring is warranted and departments should flag any expenditure concerns promptly. Smith recommended conservative spending behavior for the near term to maintain the city’s fiscal position.

Council meeting packets and staff reports related to the posted ordinances and easement items contain additional technical details and legal descriptions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Huntsville City Council Meeting – March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Huntsville City Council approved $32,335,411.37 in expenditures and several ordinances and appointments. Finance Director Penny Smith presented quarterly and January–February numbers, saying sales and lodging tax trends are mixed and warning departments to “look twice before we add expenditures.”","taxTitle","Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama","taxId",2540,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6090047,"Council authorizes junk‑cleanup lien, orders abatement on repeat nuisance, approves taxi license and sets zoning hearings for April",312,1238000,1550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c&start=1238&end=1550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c/thumbnail_1238000.jpg","/articles/6090047/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Council-authorizes-junkcleanup-lien-orders-abatement-on-repeat-nuisance-approves-taxi-license-and-sets-zoning-hearings-for-April","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6090047-ea70350785fc63edf59059987955cf3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168190&Signature=S6h-4dpa1zgsl3yC2VjvkHZAvfvRh4Wsom2QZI67qLrALbLqiwXJFYWZ-IgBUUsHk0c-WAakTs0tJUanLbiUHDCqBaYz7ljHqYLQzRJyog7~0UH8hhS8sipPXRRdE4aa9MZ7HwQIAVXYOTNpvBdXSHOgQ-B68vffv-~s9p8-kl04Fn-MmzpaSatOuqDnyLLHfXDwhTWs4gta2D6mYuBFlfo3Nxkw-Nb1XMB9sF021wa5-Rd6ppNM9VE0EgSU6Py2JrcQs4Z~MSewfVw-lzeP449iSROR98axLh8uohrkHUZUpxXETQ7ygbmsogJGuPnGa0jxtkpzbFZMKiPs9QwikQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Huntsville City Council on March 13 authorized a lien to cover cleanup costs at 2609 Skyline Drive NW, approved an abatement order for a long‑problem property at 4303 Blue Springs Road NW and granted a taxi cab license to a local applicant.

Scott Erwin of the Community Development Department told the council the resolution authorizing a lien assessment at 2609 Skyline Drive is for $5,815.19. Homeowners Eunice Innes and James Bayless, who identified themselves as occupants of 2609 Skyline Drive, said they are selling the house to pay the amount. Innes said, “We're in the process of selling the house as we speak to be able to pay that amount.”

Erwin and Trey Riley, the city attorney, explained how the lien works: the city will prepare lien paperwork and record it in the probate records office; the lien remains attached to the property until satisfied and would typically be paid out of any sale proceeds when a title search and closing occur. Riley added that at closing “that lien would reveal itself and the closing attorney would generally disperse those funds in accord with the lien and satisfy it.” The council approved the lien by voice vote.

On a separate public hearing, Miss Carroll of Community Development described the property at 4303 Blue Springs Road NW as a long‑running public nuisance with nine junk notices and eight court citations over seven years. Based on continued violations, the council approved a resolution authorizing city staff to remove the nuisance and abate the property. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing.

The council also held a public hearing on an application by Junior Jordan to operate a traditional taxicab business, doing business as 24/7 Taxi, for eight vehicles. Keisha Bryant, director of parking and public transit, said the applicant “has submitted his application and passed his background check” and the council approved the license after the public hearing concluded.

Separately, the council set public hearings for a set of zoning matters — including amendments to Board of Adjustment rules and rezonings on several properties — for the April 24, 2025 regular council meeting. Motions to set the hearings were approved by the council.

Officials did not provide detailed timetables for abatement work at 4303 Blue Springs Road beyond the authorization to proceed. For the lien at 2609 Skyline Drive, staff said the lien remains until satisfied at closing and would not prevent the property from being sold.

Votes recorded at the meeting were conducted by voice vote; formal tallies were not provided in the record for these items.","The Huntsville City Council authorized a $5,815.19 lien for cleanup at 2609 Skyline Drive, ordered abatement for a repeat nuisance at 4303 Blue Springs Road NW, approved a taxi cab license for an eight‑vehicle company, and set multiple rezoning public hearings for April 24, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6090051,"Rotary Club donates $50,000 for John Hunt Park arboretum; city to add trees, paths",86,807000,893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c&start=807&end=893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2869701-ce0a2056f363cfe61a46fb632733943c/thumbnail_807000.jpg","/articles/6090051/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Rotary-Club-donates-50000-for-John-Hunt-Park-arboretum-city-to-add-trees-paths","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6090051-c9c12eb7b211b70e70dbb468ab081453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168190&Signature=eaWEyEH3qY0g85iGrv36Sh1IdPqXAIDlrNb9nI4z9p32~o-wZ29dN8tLLUBLWsgVrtql4HnIcc~6JkI-RR6N7~J1mXLWrwosaGni1rCg7O0RQwSD65c-VeNKmk2d7HcuPQItLRhAOy~wfrWLoX6XyCbLppOo1AopSE~-vhOxx3qR3MU39wKDHzzs~~tf71G0ClTsxjoMyMBIdGJaQkwoYoxX0fUDbtQiM5Fyz8WYr2AEwaKqComVyqgw~StAbTxCw6rYNcoBMwWeVwHkX3DDOnCjBnu49QvZce-6AXcEWbmHCDaOcTZjdjIVLnXDobVO-2pfUN92WsMMiZ3QvgJT1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville presented a $50,000 donation to the city of Huntsville on March 13 to help build an arboretum at John Hunt Park.

Brian Walker, director of landscape management for the city of Huntsville, told the council the city plans to use about three acres of unused property at John Hunt Park to “plant at least 100 trees, native trees to Alabama, and create walking paths, and picnic areas, and benches” next to the Loretta P. Spencer soccer complex.

Joanne Perez of the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville handed the check to the city and said, “On behalf of the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville, I'd like to present this check for $50,000 to the city of Huntsville.” She added the club will provide “sweat equity” and help plant trees during a fall service day.

Mayor Battle thanked the Rotary members and called the contribution the kind of community participation that “makes our community great.” The mayor said the gift will help “make the Arboretum project move forward quickly.”

City staff did not provide a detailed project schedule or a final budget breakdown at the meeting. Walker described basic project elements — tree planting, walking paths, picnic areas and benches — and the Rotary’s donation and volunteer assistance were presented as initial funding and support for the effort.

The city accepted the donation during the presentation; officials said volunteer planting is planned in the fall and routine administrative steps will follow to move the project into implementation.","The Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville presented a $50,000 check to the city for a three‑acre arboretum project at John Hunt Park. City staff said the project will plant at least 100 native trees and add walking paths and benches; volunteers will help with planting in the fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $32.3 million in expenditures; finance director urges caution amid mixed revenue trends

Council authorizes junk‑cleanup lien, orders abatement on repeat nuisance, approves taxi license and sets zoning hearings for April

Rotary Club donates $50,000 for John Hunt Park arboretum; city to add trees, paths