People sometimes ask me how things are going in Columbiana. I like to quip… “it depends on who you ask”. You will also hear candidates who are running for re-election say they are “running on their record”.   Looking through the prism from which I see things, our record is strong and our future is bright. 

 

What I know for certain is, as Mayor, everything that happens in Columbiana is my responsibility.  Whether or not it is something I did, didn’t do, or something I had nothing to do with, it is my responsibility to deal with it in the most effective and responsible way I can.   

 

I also know that Mayors can’t accomplish anything without the help and support of many people.  Often, the role is reversed.  The City Council, city employees, boards, commissions and businesses want, or need, the Mayor’s help and support to achieve their objectives. 

 

So, it’s not my record – it’s our record.  Mayors accept responsibility for the bad and take credit for the good but, it’s always a good idea to give credit to those who really made it happen.  At the same time, don’t cast blame to others when things go wrong. 

 

As the term of our current administration ends, I’d like to share some of the great things Team Columbiana has accomplished.

​

THE RECORD

 

The platform I campaigned on during the 2020 election has three pillars.

​

• Sustained and Manageable Economic Growth

• Good Stewardship of the City’s Fiscal Resources

• Make Columbiana a Better Place to Live, Work and Play

• ​

The base of the platform supporting the pillars included Vision, Strategy, Transparency and Collaboration.  I’ll talk more about the base of platform and these four components in a later post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s look back at the last five years and see how we did.

 

Sustained and Manageable Economic Growth.  The current city administration took office in fiscal year (FY) 2021.  Setting FY 2020 as the baseline, we can measure how we’ve done from FY 2021 – FY 2024 and, where possible, compare the results to cumulative inflation over the same period.  All the data points below are positive economic indicators, slightly above State and County rates/averages, and reflect both sustained and manageable growth.

 

• Revenue from recurring taxes and fees increased 44% versus cumulative inflation of 16.4%

  • Derived from thriving business activity, not increased taxes

  • This revenue pays our bills and funds essential city services

• Business license revenue increased >200% indicating a vibrant business environment

• Poverty rate declined from 18.6% to 11.7%

• Revitalized Main Street with 75% new businesses

• 60 new housing starts annually

• Population grew at a manageable rate of 1.96% annually versus a decline the prior four years

  • From last in Shelby County to the mid-point

  • Still lag surrounding cities

• Led Columbiana's Alabama League of Municipalities Economic Development Academy team

 

Good Stewardship of the City’s Fiscal Resources.   This 2020 platform pillar was intended to apply to all the City’s assets (financial, plant & equipment, etc.) and public infrastructure (streets, sewer, etc.).  Below are some highlights of the Team’s accomplishments.

​

• Revised the budgeting process to focus on all City funds, not just the General Fund.

• Refunded (refinanced) City debt freeing $650k of cash for public works projects.

  • Free money.

• Provide monthly budget reporting at City Council meetings. Live stream and record the meetings.

• Monthly financial data available on the City website.

• Revised City pay system to be compliant with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• Became first Columbiana administration to provide a Management Discussion & Analysis of the fiscal year audit required by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

• Became first Columbiana Mayor to make the statutorily required semi-annual Financial Condition Report to the City Council.  Available on City Website.

• Acquired nearly $7.0 million in grant funding – approximately $1.4M annually.

  • Used to improve sewer, drainage, streets, recreation and more.

• Acquired new garbage trucks, brush truck, ROW maintenance equipment, Senior Center bus & new free city shuttle (trolley)

• Significant infrastructure improvements

  • Resurfaced over 40% of Columbiana’s streets and roads.

  • New public works facility near completion.  Occupancy in 2025.

  • New sewer treatment plant to be completed in FY26.  

  • Sewer and drainage improvements to mitigate flooding.

 

Make Columbiana a Better Place to Live, Work and Play.  This is an overused cliché but the core of what we all want for our community.  All the things mentioned above contribute to this but there are many more.  To achieve this objective it takes the entire community working together including City staff, its several volunteer staffed boards, commissions, and committees; businesses, schools, churches, charities, civic organizations, public service organizations and more.   My goal is for the City to be the glue that binds these together and gets us all pulling on the same end of the rope.  Thank you all for what you do. 

 

So how did we do during these last five years?

 

• Enhanced public safety

  • Expanded School Resource Officers (SRO’s) creating a full-time SRO at each campus.

  • With help from grant funding, increased Police Department staffing.

  • Updated CPD vehicle fleet.

  • Obtained grant for Fire Department Recruiting and Retention.

  • With grant funding, acquired new breathing apparatus for Fire Department.

  • To ensure adequate coverage, increased appropriations to SE Shelby Emergency Rescue.

• Recreation and Entertainment

  • Established downtown “Columbiana Live” entertainment district.

  • Revitalized Columbiana Main Street.

  • Enhanced and expanded Music on Main, Liberty Day, and added Christmas in the Park.

  • Developed strategy to increase tourism and economic development via Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) grant.

  • Replaced lighting at girls softball and boys baseball fields.

  • Upgraded Kiwanis Park playscape.

  • Upgrades to Recreation Center.

  • Installed pickle ball courts and refurbished tennis courts.

 

It’s been a busy five years.  I’ve probably left some things off the list… and we’re just getting started!