Expected revenue for the new fiscal year is expected to remain near what it was for Fiscal 2020, O’Mary said.“Our projections are that revenue growth will be flat,” O’Mary said, “and we’re projecting expenditures will go up some.
Inflation drives that — it just simply costs more to run an operation like this.”

“One of the things I’m most excited about is that this budget indicates, if things go well in Fiscal 2021, our reserves will reach near $10 million,”O’Mary said. “We have to be pleased about that.”

The proposed budget also provides for another pay increase for the city’s 195 employees, O’Mary said. “That’s one of the things that I’m really, really pleased about.”

O’Mary said many people mistakenly try to com-pare Jasper to Cullman.

Cullman’s population exceeds Jasper by about 1,800 people, he said, and that city’s budget tops $45 million. In Cullman, there are 5,400 business licenses issued each year, compared to Jasper’s 3,200.

“It’s not an apples to apples comparison,” he said.

Regardless, O’Mary said he’s excited about Jasper’s proposed budget for Fiscal 2021.

“What I would say to you about this budget,” O’Mary said in addressing council members, “is that we stand ready to answer any questions you have, and any adjustments you may want to make just come and see me. At the end of the day it’s not the mayor’s budget. it’s the city’s budget. I’m excited about this budget, and I hope you are, too.”
he new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

In other business, council members:

•presented a proclamation in recognition of Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month in the city. O’Mary presented the proclamation to several local gynecological cancer survivors, as well as Cecilia Crandall, whose daughter Laura Crandall Brown died from ovarian cancer in 2009 at the age of 25. The proclamation read, in part, that “gynecological cancer is among the leading killers of women in the United States. ”More than 110,000 women will be diagnosed with a gynecological-related cancer in the next year., and more than 32,000 women will die from the disease.

•heard a report from city purchasing agent Derleda Abrom on an animal transport van for the city’s animal shelter.

•adopted a resolution to declare surplus city property as unneeded.

•gave permission to donate a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria previously used by the Jasper Police Department to the Carbon Hill Police Department.

•adopted a resolution to place three properties under the city’s nuisance abatement ordinance.

•introduced an ordinance to annex property at 2300 Tommy Robinson Road.

•adopted an ordinance to place a three-way stop at 12th Avenue and 20th Street West.

•heard from attorney Charles Tatum Jr., who asked council members to rethink the way it’s treating the city’s first responders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A resolution passed earlier this year exempts certain employees it deems as first responders from receiving any benefits under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA).
“Through an ordinance that you passed, you have included laborers for the city as first responders,” Tatum said. “It’s inconceivable to me that we can pass a rule that treats our police and firemen any less than we treat our clerks here.”
Tatum represents a city worker in a lawsuit against the city pertaining to the ordinance.
Council president Willie Moore asked that the issue be discussed in more detail at the council’s next work session.