2024 Year in Review Report

2024 Year In Review Report

1. Infrastructure Improvements & Future Plans

Roads & Bridges

  • 2024 Paving Project:

    • Completed paving on 18 roads, totaling approximately 10 miles, including the widening of one road.

    • Funding Sources: $819,722.99 from general fund paving funds and $250,000.00 from Rebuild Alabama Funds.

  • Northbound Coosa River Bridge Progress:

    • Hosted a public meeting on June 20, 2024, at the Community Center with over 150 attendees.

    • This bridge has been a top priority since the current administration began in 2020.

    • The city applied for the 2025 BUILD (formerly RAISE) grant, this administrations 5th application, requesting $18 million while committing $1 million of local funds.

Drainage & Intersection Studies

  • Drainage Improvements:

    • Initiated an additional study for drainage improvements on Powell & Watson Streets, approved for ARPA funding.

  • Intersection Studies:

    • Invested $33,000.00, from ARPA funding, for a study to evaluate existing conditions, future traffic projections, and technical reports for intersections including Hood/Lister Ferry at Texaco, Cedar Bend North at Red Light, and Cedar Bend South at Bucks Boats.

    • Applied for a grant of $2 million (80% reimbursement on engineering & construction costs if awarded) to improve the Cedar Bend South/Highway 77 intersection, with the study funded by ARPA dollars.

Community Facilities & Safety Enhancements

  • Softball Complex Plan:

    • Presented and accepted the plan for the new Softball Complex.

    • Community Meeting to be held in 2025.

 

Pedestrian Safety:

    • Discussed implementing a pedestrian crossing with flashing signs between the competition gym and the field house. This improvement aligns with new sidewalk plans on School Drive.

    • Added additional speed limit signs to Cedar Bend Road.

2. Collaboration with Other Entities

Partnerships & Community Engagement

  • Southside Girls Softball Association:

    • Collaborated to boost activity at the Southside Sports Complex.

  • Etowah County Board of Education:

    • Partnered to install VHF radio signal repeaters, enhancing first-responder communications at Southside Elementary & Southside High.

    • Worked with Etowah County Board of Education and the Southside Athletic Foundation to help fund the paving and striping of the parking lot at the old school property.

  • Southside Landing Enhancements:

    • Added a Kayak Kiosk in partnership with Bucks Boats

    • Plans for a Life Jacket Loaner Station in memory of Chris Day (in collaboration with Tow Boat USA and the National Boating Safety Council).

    • Updated the scoreboards at the softball fields through a partnership with Buffalo Rock.

  • Other Governmental Entities:

    • Safe Streets for All Grant Application for road study

3. Grants & ARPA Fund Expenditures

Vehicles & Equipment Upgrades

  • Public Works:

    • Purchased a new dump truck (via ARPA funds) and other essential equipment.

  • Law Enforcement:

    • Acquired new patrol vehicles; updated PD vests cost, and Dash Cams (mostly funded with ARPA dollars).

Departmental Grants & Technology Improvements

  • Police & Fire Departments:

    • Community Development Grant awarded $11,292.14 for six portable radios for the police department.

    • Fire received a $37,170 Assistance to Firefighter Grant for a large-diameter fire hose and appliances, plus an additional $15,000 from a community development grant.

  • Park & Recreation

    • Community Development Grant, in the amount of $12,000 for a new lawn mower.

  • Public Works

    • Community Development Grant for Auger Attachment in the amount of $7,000

  • Capital Assets (ARPA Funds):

    • Fire Department: $168,748.29

    • Police Department: $177,412.28

    • Public Works Department: $128,000.00

    • Parks & Recreation Department: $46,610

Facility Upgrades & Energy Initiatives

  • Gateway Signs:

    • Received an Alabama Power Grant of $1,800.

  • Community Center & Library:

    • Installed a new roof on the Library and Community Center (cost: $166,342.66 from ARPA funds) and new flooring in the Community Center ($22,634), completed in November.

  • Ambulance Purchase:

    • Acquired a new ambulance for the Fire Department using ARPA funds.

  • LED Lighting:

    • Awarded a grant of $59,579 for LED lighting across city facilities, with installations scheduled for 2025.

  • Recycling Efforts:

    • Received a $52,578 Recycling Grant to purchase a cardboard baler and enclosure

  • Audio & Visual Equipment:

    • Purchased equipment to enhance live recordings of council meetings.

  • Innovative Training:

    • Received a JAG Grant of $91,850.53 for virtual reality headsets to enhance police training.

  • Recreation Enhancement:

    • Approved the bid for 3 covered pavilions to be located at Southside Landing in 2025.

4. City Finances, Administration & Personnel

Fiscal Health & Strategic Planning

  • Positive Audit Results:

    • The FY22/23 Audit Presentation reported a positive cash balance and an overall positive fiscal change for the year.

·       ARPA Fund Expenditures

o   Federal ARPA funding bolstered City projects again this year, saving general funds for other needs.

  • Budget Reviews & Long-Term Planning:

    • A six-month budget review was conducted, and the Mayor presented a list of capital projects along with a five-year budget projection by the Finance Director

  • Investment Strategies:

    • Paving, Fire, and ARPA funds were invested into an 11-month Certificate of Deposit (CD), earning 4.9% interest.

    • Additionally, $250,000 from the fire fund was placed in a six-month CD.

  • Financial Policy Development:

    • In a public meeting on December 19th, the Mayor, Finance Director, and Frazer Lanier presented a draft Financial & Debt Policy to enhance clarity, transparency, and accountability.

    • Key recommendations included:

      • Paying off three loans totaling $963,465.24 (saving approximately $39,000 in interest).

      • Establishing a reserve account of $1.2 million for emergencies.

      • Allocating approximately $520,548.90 toward current capital projects such as sidewalk improvements on School Drive (underway) and others such as LED lighting for the softball fields and drainage issue on Powell/Watson.

      • Exploring a future bond issue in the range of $8 million to support additional capital projects such as the Sports Complex and drainage on Powell/Watson

Personnel Enhancements

  • The Library Director position was made full-time for the first time in the library’s history.

  • Additional staff were added to the Park & Recreation, Police, and Fire Departments to better serve our community.

5. Public Safety

Enhanced Recognition & Equipment Upgrades

  • Leadership Initiatives:

    • The new Police Chief implemented officer recognition programs (Officer of the Month/Quarter and Unit Awards).

    • Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year Awards were presented to Officers Brent Whisenant and Jared Dunn.

  • Vehicle Upgrades:

    • Two new Tahoes were purchased for the Police Department, featuring a revised color scheme (transitioning from black to white) with community input on the new striping.

  • Operational Improvements:

    • The new Police Chief was recognized for his leadership and sustained focus on community safety.

6. Public Works & Building

Modernization & Code Updates

  • Equipment and Vehicle Upgrades:

    • Purchased a new city dump truck along with updated equipment to enhance road repair capabilities.

    • Surplus of a 2006 F150

  • Building Code Revision:

    • Updated the City’s Building Code from 2015 to 2021, effective January 1, 2025.

  • New Fire Station Project:

    • A state-of-the-art fire station was unveiled during a hose coupling event on May 23, 2024, attended by over 200 individuals including representatives from Montgomery and Washington, D.C.

    • This long-held vision—prioritized since November 2020—was realized through a USDA loan at a competitive 2.5% interest rate, with groundbreaking in November 2022 and timely completion by Boatner Construction and Architect Tom McElrath.

    • Special thanks go to Fire Chief Wade Buckner for his dedication and leadership throughout the project.

7. Park & Recreation

Facility Improvements & Equipment Updates

  • Community Center & Library Enhancements:

    • New roof and flooring improvements were completed for the Community Center and Library.

  • Vehicle Updates:

    • Acquired a new truck to replace a 1993 F150

    • Surplus a 1998 F250.

  • Future Plans:

    • Discussions are underway to add a kayak launch at Southside Landing.

  • Technology Enhancements:

    • VOIP phone systems were installed in the Community Center and Library to improve communication.

8. City Events & Recognitions

Community Celebrations & Honoring Service

  • Annual Events:

    • Hosted popular events such as the Spring Festival & Easter Egg Hunt, the 4th Annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, Movie Nights, and Tasty Thursday Food Truck Events.

  • Record-Breaking Fall Festival:

    • The Fall Festival, held on October 24 at Southside Landing, was the largest ever with overwhelming positive feedback and collaborative efforts from multiple departments.

  • Community Dedications:

    • The Little League Field was dedicated and renamed the Gary Bolton Little League Field in honor of 47 years of outstanding coaching dedication.

    • Long-serving city employees in Public Works and Administration were recognized for their exceptional contributions.

  • School & Youth Achievements:

    • The Southside High School Band was recognized for its participation in the National Cherry Blossom Parade.

    • Athletes and coaches were acknowledged for their achievements in basketball, wrestling, soccer, and bowling.

    • The Rainbow Middle Quiz Bowl Team celebrated a state championship.

  • Educational & FFA Recognition:

    • Dr. Allison Heald was honored as a National Teacher Ambassador for Alabama, and the local FFA chapter received a TOP 5 award at the AL FFA Association State Convention.

  • Community Engagement:

    • City employees, along with the Mayor, Council and community members actively participated in the Great American Cleanup in May 2024, cleaning Pilgrims Rest Road, South Valley Road, and Green Valley Road.

    • Additional community clean-up events are planned, and residents are encouraged to participate.

  • Additional Recognitions:

    • City employees were commended for their outstanding response during the August 2nd storms.

    • Lillian Roper received recognition for her award-winning artwork in the Alabama Housing Finance Authority Statewide Art Contest (ages 5–12).

    • Michael Weldon was honored with the highest award and plaque from District 4 of the Alabama Park & Recreation Association.

9. Economic Development

Welcoming New Businesses & Incentivizing Growth

  • New Business Openings:

    • Several new businesses joined our community in 2024, including:

      • BMF Tire & Off Road

      • ALFA Insurance

      • Elite Fitness

      • Southside Pediatrics (opening January 2025)

      • AJ's Neighborhood Bar & Grill (opening January 2025)

      • Dollar Tree (opening February 2025)

  • Incentives:

    • Approved a tax abatement of $75,000 over three years for AJ’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill to encourage local economic growth.

10. Mayor's Youth Council and Youth Engagement

In an effort to empower our youth and foster leadership, the Mayor initiated talks with teachers and administrators at Southside High School as early as 2021 to implement a Mayor's Youth Council. In 2024, this vision came to fruition with the dedicated support of:

  • Principal Julie Tucker

  • Genia Fry, SGA/Government Teacher

  • Dr. Allison Heald, FFA/Teacher

  • Mayor’s Assistant, MacKenzie Brown

Key Highlights:

  • Inaugural Meeting:

    • In October 2024, the first Mayor's Youth Council meeting was held at the Southside High School Library. The meeting focused on the importance of leadership and the role of local government.

  • Ongoing Engagement:

    • Since then, the Council has met monthly. Activities have included:

      • A tour and visit to the new fire station

      • A tour and visit with the police department

      • A detailed look at the future Sports Complex plans

      • A recent session featuring a student speaker from Jax State discussing college education, political leadership, and the importance of “not letting someone else tell you what you ‘can't’ do. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

11. Conclusion

The year 2024 has been transformative for the City of Southside. Through strategic investments, collaborative partnerships, and a firm commitment to fiscal responsibility and community well-being, we have laid the groundwork for a brighter future. As we look ahead to 2025, the city remains dedicated to continuous improvement, enhanced public safety, and fostering economic development that benefits all residents.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community, employees, partners, and elected officials for their unwavering support and contributions to a successful year.