Rockford approves bonuses, raises
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Map image: This map shows the proposed path for fiber optics to be run through a portion of Rockford to eventually have broadband internet at the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative local office. The indicated path runs from Alabama Highway 22 West down Nixburg Road past the Board of Education, along Jackson Street and to Park Circle.
Photo: The Rockford Town Council; along with Mayor Scott White, Town Clerk Jennifer Tindall and part-time Town Clerk Susan Rogers; discusses business and approves agenda items. Photo submitted
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Tis the season of giving, and the Town of Rockford is taking that to heart financially, giving to both employees and itself.
During its monthly Town Council meeting Tuesday evening, with Councilmember Cordarius Lee absent, council members and Mayor Scott White discussed the town’s COVID-19 relief money.
It was mentioned that the town is trying to figure out what exactly it can do with the money since it has limited uses. The town is receiving a total of $104,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.
It has received half of that, or $52,000, and White said the town will receive the remaining half later, once it is ensured that the town has properly used the first half of the funds.
During discussion White and Town Clerk Jennifer Tindall mentioned that the funds can be used for employee bonuses and “Stop the Spread” measures.
As a result of further discussion, the council unanimously approved creating a separate account for the town’s COVID-19 relief funds to make it easier to track its amount and where it is spent. That account will be opened at First Bank in Rockford.
Also during discussion, Councilmember Karen Hammond inquired if the COVID-19 relief funds can be used for Christmas bonuses. Mayor White said that they can be used for one-time pay increases.
Hammond said that she believed $500 would be good for the employees. Councilmember Kimberly Crowe agreed and said that she thought $500 bonuses would be nice.
“Show your employees you appreciate them,” Crowe said.
After discussion, the council unanimously approved one-time pay increases of $500 each for the town’s eight employees, utilizing a total of $4,000 from the town’s COVID-19 relief fund.
During the meeting the council also unanimously approved not offering a “Christmas bonus” to employees this year. Instead the town opted to use the COVID-19 relief fund for the one-time pay increase in lieu of its standard “Christmas bonus.”
In other business, separate from the COVID-19 fund, the council approved raises for itself and the mayor.
Crowe brought the matter before the council before consideration, referencing Ordinance 592 for the town. That ordinance reflects the current gross pay at $50 per month for council members and $500 per month for the mayor.
“I think that we should increase the pay for the council members and for the mayor,” Crowe said. “I say that because I know that other towns make a lot more that are just as small as us.”
White said that he could also speak on the matter to touch on that subject.
“Coming in as mayor, of course y’all know I didn’t do this for money,” White said, “but looking forward to the future of the town and what has been going on the past year, what we’ve been able to accomplish and what we have in the bank now compared to what we had a year ago, it’s significant. Definitely we want to set the town up to move forward with like-minded people that want to see it prosper. So I’m not opposed.”
During discussion Crowe asked if she could state the information that she knew about other municipalities. It was stated that she could because it is a matter of public record.
Crowe went on to say that Goodwater’s Town Council members are paid $300 per month.
“I’m not suggesting that much, but… it’s a big difference from $50,” Crowe said.
She also stated that Goodwater’s mayor makes $750 per month. Goodwater’s pay scale was the only one Crowe mentioned in the meeting.
The only other municipality within Coosa County, the Town of Kellyton does not pay its council members or mayor, with them serving as unpaid elected officials.
After discussion, Crowe proposed an increase of $50 per month for council members and $150 per month for the mayor. This would bring the council pay to $100 per month and the mayor’s pay to $650 per month.
The council unanimously approved the raises, and the town will now be updating Ordinance 592 to reflect the amount approved at Tuesday’s meeting.
Also during the meeting, the council heard from Jimmy Gray with Central Alabama Electric Cooperative regarding running fiber optic cables through town.
Gray presented council members with information, price rates and a map showing the proposed path for fiber optics to be run. That path would run from Alabama Highway 22 West down Nixburg Road past the Board of Education, along Jackson Street and to Park Circle in order to run the fiber optic line to the CAEC office along U.S. Highway 231 in Rockford.
Gray explained that they can serve the town along that path while running fiber to its office. He also indicated on the map where proposed splice boxes would be placed, adding that it is easy to go down the back roads to buildings and offer broadband internet service from there.
He further stated that once the company gets fiber to the office building, it will be “ready to go” and can “provide service to whoever wants it in that area.”
During discussion Gray also said there would be no contract and no up front fees. He said it would serve the west side of U.S. Highway 231 right now, where they would be able to “tap off and serve” the area.
He added that if there is interest in the future then CAEC could get a permit and bore Highway 231 to go to the east side with service.
Along the current proposed path, Gray said that they will plow where they can rather than bore, stating that they do not want to tear up anything.
He further stated that they will be glad to work with the town wherever it wants to put boxes for the splice points. Ultimately, he said that CAEC needs an agreement with the town to go through and put those boxes in.
After further discussion, it was agreed that CAEC will draft an agreement with specifics to present to Derrick Blythe, Rockford’s attorney, for review.
The council then unanimously approved a motion for CAEC to turn in a proposed contract to Blythe for review to allow CAEC access to run fiber optics through town via the path indicated on the map.
In other business, White reported that the police car grant has been submitted and that the town should hear back about it after the first of the year. If approved, the grant would be for $24,000 to go towards a police car.
White also mentioned that, regarding the previously approved land survey, it has been hard to secure a surveyor right now, but they now have a surveyor who is expected to be in town in about two weeks.
He said that the surveyor reported it should not cost more than $1,500 to survey the requested areas from the west side of the courthouse and down. White said they can include more areas, but that it will add to the initial cost estimate.
The council also dismissed into executive session for approximately 22 minutes to discuss legal matters regarding a lawsuit. No action was taken following the executive session.
The Town Council also held a special meeting yesterday evening to interview applicants for the full-time town clerk position.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. January 18.