The City of Andalusia increased its net position for the eighth consecutive year, the city’s audit for the fiscal year ending in 2022 showed.
Missy Pierce, CPA, and Gail Hayes, CPA, from Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes, P.C. presented a draft of the city’s audited financials for fiscal year 2022 earlier this month. The auditors reported no findings.
Pierce said the City of Andalusia increased its net position by $3.5 million, as compared to FY 2021, partially because a strong economy produced a 7 percent increase in sales tax revenues.
“The city is in the strongest financial position it has ever been in,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “This is over-the-top good news for the city, and it is because of the guidance of the council and the contributions of everyone who works for the city.”
Other highlights of the audit included:
• The City had a combined ending fund balance of $31.1 million, an increase of $13.1 million from the previous year.
• The City had a $14.3 million increase in the cash balance, approximately 32 percent of which is unrestricted.
• The City made payments of just more than $4.7M on its long-term debt.
• The City’s program expenses increased by only 4.7 percent over the previous year.
Pierce said the auditors’ report is “unmodified,” which is the best that can be given. It took longer than usual to complete, she said, because of new requirements for audits from the federal government.
John Thompson, city administrator, said the audit reflects a months-long process that began in January.
“They really dig into every aspect of the city’s finances,” he said. “If the council approves a development agreement, the auditors want to sit down and have us explain it. It’s significant that this audit was completed without a finding, a citation or anything irregular going on in this $21 million annual business.”
The council officially adopted the financial statement at its October 17, 2023 meeting.
The Andalusia Police Department on Wednesday deployed 35 new body cams to its officers.
Chief Paul Hudson said the new cameras are Axon Body 3 cameras, which have features that are becoming an industry standard. In addition to the traditional use, the newer cameras sync with other body cams, giving investigators the potential to simultaneously review multiple camera angles at a crime scene.
“We’d like to thank the mayor and council for agreeing in August to this purchase,” Chief Hudson said. “These cameras are helpful not only in investigations, but also for training.”
The accompanying software makes it easier to transcribe records, and to redact portions of interviews when necessary for courtroom presentations.
After the cameras were issued on Wednesday, officers also spent time in a training session to learn more about the new features.
The APD is the first department in the county to use the new technology. Axon also is the company that provides tasers for the APD.
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday approved a $27 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
“Our department heads, the council and I have worked extremely hard putting together yet another conservative plan for the new year,” Mayor Earl Johnson said.
The budget has only a 6.67 percent increase in actual operating expenses, the mayor said, adding that it includes cost-of-living adjustments for city employees, as well as funding for currently open jobs in the police department and other areas of the city.
“When you look at the increase in operating expenses about a third of it is allocated for a cost-of-living adjustment or COLA, Performance Pay, and associated benefits. The City Council and I agreed to implement a 5 percent COLA, over two years, for all of our employees. It is important that we keep our pay scale in line with the current labor market.”
The budget includes:
• $26.2 million in operating expenses
• $250,000 in the contingency fund
• $586,903 for the capital improvement account, which is used for equipment or construction.
“We are pleased that the city’s revenues, which come mostly from sales taxes, continue to grow,” Mayor Johnson said. “Our employees and I work very hard at economic development in our quest to make sure Andalusia residents have the best quality of life possible, and that others choose our city as a destination.
“Since 2000, retail sales in the City of Andalusia have increased from $141.6 million to $314 million, or about 122 percent,” Mayor Johnson said. “We believe that we will continue to see growth in the retail sector as more new businesses open here. In just the next quarter, we know that Lost Pizza, Bealls, and Marshalls are all slated to open.”
The mayor said additional economic development announced are expected in the next three to six months, as well.
“We feel good about the local economy, and appreciate all of those who shop here, as well as those who have invested and own businesses here,” he said.
ReAct Theatre and Arts has set auditions for its March production of “Willy Wonka the Musical” for this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 15th, 16th and 17th.
The musical, which is set for March 15-17 in the Dixon Centre for the Performing Arts on the campus of LBW, has 14 speaking parts, and is expected to feature at least 40 children in the chorus, director Cathy Powell said.
“It might seem early to audition for a March performance,” Mrs. Powell said. “But the children cast as Oompahs will be featured in the Andalusia Christmas parade and on stage at Christmas in Candyland.”
Willy Wonka is the story of a world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. The musical features familiar tunes like, “The Candy Man.”
Auditions have been set as follows:
• For students in 3rd through 5th grades, auditions are Sunday, Oct 15, at 2 p.m. at Andalusia Elementary gym
• For 6th through 12th grades, auditions are Monday, Oct 16, at 6 p.m. at Church Street Cultural Arts Center
• For adults, auditions will be Tuesday, Oct 17 at 6 p.m. at Church Street Cultural Arts Center
ReAct was organized in 2022 to produce the original local history play, “Women of the Jury,” written by Andalusia native Marianne Merrill Weber. The group also produced a mural walk in the fall of 2022, hosted an art show and lecture series featuring the work of Shiney Moon, and staged “Charlotte’s Web.” Since that time, a board has been formed and is in the process of pursuing 501(c)3 status for ReAct.
The Andalusia City Council this week agreed to fund initiatives in the Andalusia City School System for a new maintenance facility, structural improvements for existing facilities, technology, and branding.
Dr. Daniel Shakespeare submitted the $2 million request on behalf of the school system. The funding is from an education sales tax approved in 2013.
Shakespeare said that “Old Main,” or the front part of Andalusia High School, has some serious maintenance needs. He has an estimate of $200,000 for reroofing the high school, and plans to spend $250,000 renovating some classrooms.
The system is acquiring a building and approximately 2.7 acres on Bonner Street at an approximate cost of $300,000 that will house its maintenance operations, he said.
“We had gotten an estimate to build a new facility, and it was going to cost $1.3 million,” he said. “We thought this was a better deal.”
Other approved allocations include:
• The bond payment for the recent stadium/auditorium project, as well as some repairs to the facility.
• Continuation of the Apple computer leases that facilitate one-to-one electronic devices in all Andalusia City Schools.
• Continued funding for a technology specialist to help teachers effectively use electronics in the curriculum.
• Continued funding to support art and music programs.
• Funding for promotional materials, videos, and billboards.