HAMILTON — At the last meeting of the previous Hamilton City Council administration on Oct. 20, several members expressed their gratitude for being able to serve.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page thanked the community for their support during the last two administrations.
“I really thank you so much from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure to serve the City of Hamilton.”
Councilor Wade Williams spoke next, noting he’d first been elected to serve in 1992, more than 30 years ago. He served four terms as a councilor and one term as mayor.
“I made a lot of friends and saw a lot happening,” he said. “I really enjoyed it. I appreciate the city for letting me serve.”
He said this last council got along very well, and he advised the incoming members that, “sometimes you have to agree to disagree.”
He also noted the city was in the best financial shape he’d ever seen.
Williams mentioned he’d worked with several excellent city clerks and noted how important their roles are. He thanked those he’d served with, mentioning the city had been through some hard times.
“But we’re better now than we’ve ever been,” he said.
He also explained this would probably be his last meeting as a city official after serving several times over the last 30 years.
Councilor Scott Tyra thanked his family for allowing him to serve. He wished the incoming council nothing but the best.
“Keep Hamilton first and moving forward,” he said. “I’ll be praying for you.”
Tyra noted he’d enjoyed working with the city employees, the council and all of the city officials.
Ross Reed said he was honored to serve and thanked the citizens. He shared a few remarks to the council and those present, later providing a written statement to the Journal-Record, which was printed in a previous issue on Oct. 29.
Two councilors who will be returning also spoke, including Sherry Armstrong, who thanked the mayor, the council and city employees.
“They brought me on two yeas ago,” she said. “I enjoyed being a voice for our people.”
She thanked the citizens for giving her four more years.
“I really appreciate it,” she said.
Councilor Scott Robertson said he enjoyed the last five years, for sure, but noted he couldn’t really add more to what everyone else had already said. He did thank the citizens for another four years and said he’s ready to serve.
City attorney Jeremy Streetman was also asked to comment by the mayor, and he said he appreciates the opportunity to work with the city.
“They’re a great group of people to work with,” he said.
He noted it’s been his pleasure to handle legal issues on behalf of the city and help keep things moving forward. He also said most citizens don’t realize how much time and effort city officials put in. He said he definitely appreciated all their effort.
City clerk Angela Owen noted she appreciates the opportunity, too, and has enjoyed her position. She wished all of the outgoing council members a lot of luck and happiness in their future.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a recommendation to place Linda Potts on the Hamilton library board. She replaces Mollie Lunsford, who will remain an honorary board member by request of the Clyde Nix Public Library Board.
• Passed Resolution 2025-10-20 allowing the city to enter into an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for a sidewalk improvement project.
The sidewalks set for improvements will be along the east side of Military Street South, from Bexar Avenue to Alabama Highway 17.
Funds for these improvements will come from the Transportation Alternatives Program and will be a federal grant with an 80/20 split with the city. The projected expense to the city is estimated at $200,000. The total project estimated cost is $922,000.
• Approved the opening of a new non-interest-bearing checking account at First National Bank for the TAP Sidewalk Project.
• Approved a recommendation for the purchase and installation of a mapping system for the Hamilton Water Department to show the accurate locations of water and sewer lines throughout the city. The estimated cost for this project will be $15,000, with a monthly service fee of $80.
• Approved a recommendation for a new pay scale for the Hamilton Water Department employees retroactively to Oct. 21, 2024, for pay rates which went into effect in November 2024. The pay scale itself was not specifically approved with the budget for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2025.
• Approved a recommendation to repeal City Ordinance No. 2018-1 retroactively to Nov. 1, 2022. Under this ordinance, the city previously paid a total of $135,000 annually for the benefit of the three Hamilton schools. However, this amount was included in the increased amount of $300,000 now paid annually to the Aggie Schools Foundation for the benefit of the Hamilton Schools pursuant to an agreement reached with the Marion County Board of Education earlier that year.
• Received a presentation reviewing the proposed budget for the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Water Department for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 from CPA Alan Cantrell.
Cantrell noted there would be some upcoming projects needing close supervision and management by the city in the next year.
After review, the council voted to adopt the budgets as presented.
To see the complete city council meeting on video, visit marioncountyal.org, click on “minutes and agendas” and then select your choice of Facebook or YouTube access.
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