Vestavia Hills City Council Approves 2018 Budget In Delayed Meeting

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — Though the meeting was postponed by a week as the city prepared for a storm, the Vestavia Hills City Council was able to filter through its agenda on Monday, Sept. 18.

The meeting began with the induction ceremony for new Fire Chief Marvin Green, who was promoted last Thursday to replace former Fire Chief Jim St. John.

The biggest item of the night was for the 2018 fiscal budget, which was unanimously approved. The general fund budget of $38.6 million increased by nearly $1.5 million from 2017's budget. The capital fund's projected expenditures came in at $2.3 million, which will help fund stormwater and infrastructural improvements. Special funds were budgeted $3.9 million, and the Community Spaces budget was given $582,000. Total expenditures are projected at $45.5 million.

The council also approved an agreement with Jefferson County for maintenance of through-roads, which had been set aside back in 2009. The following roads now fall under Jefferson County maintenance: Rocky Ridge Road; Columbiana Road; Shades Crest Road; Dolly Ridge Road from Rocky Ridge Road to Cahaba River Road; Green Valley Road; Crosshaven Drive from Dolly Ridge Road to the northern Vestavia city limits; Cahaba River Road; Tyler Road from Columbiana to the city limits; Acton Road and Altadena Road.

The city also accepted Kellis Vegetation's $24,000 yearly bid to maintain right-of-way vegetation in a three-year agreement, as well as Specialty Turf Supply's bid for field maintenance. A $64,000 bid from Turf Management for U.S. 31 and Columbiana right-of-way management was awarded.

Easements for Alabama Power were approved for Wald Park, Byrd Park and the Altadena Valley Country Club.

The city also approved an auditing contract with Rivertree Systems. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)