Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia City County on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for paving portions of 14 roads.
At the recommendation of Andalusia Director of Public Works Glynn Ralls, the council rejected the only bid it received for a proposed paving project, and agreed to negotiate with Wiregrass Construction to finalize a paving plan.
Ralls said Wiregrass has contracts with several counties throughout the state, which allow municipalities in those counties to purchase paving at those contract prices.
Ralls estimated the city would save $50,000 by going this route to complete the now-estimated $518,000 project.
Streets on the list to be paved include:
• Thru Street
• Albritton Road
• South Cotton from West Watson to the railroad.
• Packer Street
• Hillcrest from the Bypass to Snowden
• Hillcrest from the Bypass to the county engineer’s office
• South Cotton Street from Feagin to Whatley Street
• East Pass
• Elm Street
• Grider Street
• Old Antioch
• Coffee Street
• Second Avenue
• Cadiz Extension
• Midway Drive
By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
The Alabama Aviation Center, a unit of Enterprise State Community College, is considering reopening its instructional site in Andalusia.
AAC in Andalusia was housed at the airport and has an outstanding facility to house classes in the airframe portion of the Airframe and Power plant program.
The AAC did not offer Andalusia in the current academic year, but offered classes to traditional and dual-enrollment students for several years.
AAC recruiter Jenna Judah said the school would love to have 25 to 30 students enrolled in the Andalusia program.
Dual enrollment could.... Read this entire article on AndalusiaStarNews.com
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia City Council got a preview of its audit for fiscal year 2015 Tuesday, and will hold a special meeting at 1 p.m. this Fri., March 18, to approve the audit.
The council also:
• agreed to provide $1,500 in funding for the Junior Rodeo Association State Finals, slated for the Covington Center Arena in June. The county also is providing $1,500 in funding.
• Appointed Allen Woodard and Mike Holloway to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Earl Johnson said Friday was a “red letter day” for Andalusia, even if the reason it was special was all about being in the black.
The city council met Friday afternoon to receive its final audit for FYE 2015 from Ken Odom of Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes, PC.
“Your net cash reserve (or cash in the general fund) increased $3.8 million in 2015,” Odom said. “The change in the fund balance was $5 million.”
Odom said the $1.2 million difference in those two numbers reflects a reduction in accounts payable.
The audit only had one finding, and its one nearly every government agency receives, Odom said.
GASBY 68 in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, based in Norwalk, Conn., he explained.
“From a financial reporting standpoint, they don’t see any difference between Andalusia and New York City. To them, government is government, and they think every government should have a person on staff who has the ability to prepare this financial statement.
“I don’t agree with them, but that’s what they stay,” Odom said. “There is nobody currently on your staff to do this, nor do you want to pay to get someone. It’s not a cost savings to do so.”
As a result, that must be recorded in the financial statement, he said.
“As a general comment, I can tell you that the city of Andalusia is in a best financial position it has been in a long time,” Odom said. “It’s been in good financial position all along. The increase in the cash, the increase in fund balance, and the fact that those translate in the open market for those who understand these statements, and is continuing – is because of the increase in sales tax revenue. Going forward, I anticipate you will continue to be in that position.”
Year over year, Johnson said, sales tax collections in Andalusia for January 2016 were up 26 percent over the same period last year.
Article By: Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
Mayor Earl Johnson said Friday was a “red letter day” for Andalusia, even if the reason it was special was all about being in the black.
The city council met Friday afternoon to receive its final audit for FYE 2015 from Ken Odom of Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes, PC.
“Your net cash reserve (or cash in the general fund) increased $3.8 million in 2015,” Odom said. “The change in the fund balance was $5 million.”
Odom said the $1.2 million difference in those two numbers reflects a reduction in accounts payable.
The audit only had one finding, and its one nearly every government agency receives, Odom said.
GASBY 68 in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, based in Norwalk, Conn., he explained.
“From a financial reporting standpoint, they don’t see any difference between Andalusia and New York City. To them, government is government, and they think every government should have a person on staff who has the ability to prepare this financial statement.
“I don’t agree with them, but that’s what they stay,” Odom said. “There is nobody currently on your staff to do this, nor do you want to pay to get someone. It’s not a cost savings to do so.”
As a result, that must be recorded in the financial statement, he said.
“As a general comment, I can tell you that the city of Andalusia is in a best financial position it has been in a long time,” Odom said. “It’s been in good financial position all along. The increase in the cash, the increase in fund balance, and the fact that those translate in the open market for those who understand these statements, and is continuing – is because of the increase in sales tax revenue. Going forward, I anticipate you will continue to be in that position.”
Year over year, Johnson said, sales tax collections in Andalusia for January 2016 were up 26 percent over the same period last year.
Steakhouse, renovated theater step closer
Downtown Andalusia is one step closer to having a new restaurant and theater downtown, after the city council on Tuesday approved lease contracts with two businesses.
Mayor Earl Johnson explained the contract with Big Mike’s Restaurant Andalusia, LLC:
• The city agrees to install an elevator in the facility known as the Andala building, which it owns, at a cost not to exceed $100,000. The restaurant will occupy all three floors. The city also will undertake renovations of the first floor at an expense not to exceed $500,000. Any expense beyond $500,000 will be the responsibility of the restaurant owners.
• Big Mike’s will pay the city $800,000 over the lease term. The owners will pay the city $100,000 in cash upon the execution of the lease. No other rent will be due during the first year. In the second year, the business will pay $2,500 per month for 120 consecutive months, for a total of $300,000. The remaining $400,000 shall be paid in the amount of two percent of gross sales every month. The restaurant owners also have an option to buy the building.
Owners Mike Cole, Scott Powell and Caine Conway also own Big Mike’s in Thomasville, Ala., and draw customers from as far away as Mississippi. Their menu will be very much like the Thomasville location, they said. That menu offers a ribeye, New York Strip, or filet mignon, and they can be served smothered with caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, with fried or grilled shrimp, or with lump crab meat. On the seafood side, the menu includes Ahi tuna, chicken, and fresh Gulf Coast shrimp or oysters. They also will serve oysters on the half shell.
The restaurant is expected to produce... Read the remainder of this article on: Andalusia Star News.com
Andalusia Star News