City of Red Bay financially healthy

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
RED BAY – The Red Bay City Council learned about the city's financial health during the regular city council meeting held Monday night.
Certified Public Accountant Dicky Sparks told the council that the city is healthy financially as a result of decreased debt and increased revenue for the city.
Sparks also said that the steps taken to protect vital financial records during last year's city hall fire kept the city from being devastated by the event.
"What could have been a devastating situation was a manageable situation because of the employees as well as the police and fire departments, who responded to the fire," Sparks said.
Police Chief Pat Creel asked the council to consider purchasing a speed trailer to help control speeding problems.
"I know it's a lot of money, but I'd like for you consider it," Creel told the council.
John Benn addressed the council about moving the location of the city's Website. He has been maintaining a Website at no cost to the city on space provided by a company in which he owns stock. The free space will no longer be available, and he requested that the Website be moved now, while items from it can be retrieved.
"I do not feel comfortable with the city paying for web space to a company I own stock in," Benn told the council.
The council agreed to consider moving the Website, and will discuss it further at the next meeting.
In other business, the council voted to:
Before adjourning, Reid announced that the city is taking bids on a 2000 Chevy Impala until noon on Friday, July 13.
The city is also accepting names for the Red Bay Water and Gas Board to fill the unexpired term left vacant by Joe Beasley's resignation.
Anyone interested should sign up by noon on Aug. 1 at the Red Bay City Hall. The appointment will be made on Aug. 6.
The next Red Bay city council meeting will be held on Monday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at the new Red Bay City Hall.