The City Administration has the responsibility of day to day operations Ð ensuring city services are provided at the highest quality possible, with the resources available.  And, each department is unique and provides a service vital to the quality of life we have all come to expect, in this city which we love, choose to live, and raise our family.  Over the years, the city has achieved great things for the citizens, and been nationally recognized as one of the best places to live; and, more recently one of the safest places to live and raise a family. These recognitions are a huge testament to what the city offers its citizens in city services, parks, public safety, etc. 
The cityÕs motto proudly states Ð Welcome to Alabaster, where families are preparing for the future.  Recently, we have added another great aspectÑour very own school system with the mission statement ÒBuilding Champions for Our Future.Ó  And, this could not be accomplished without all the great things taking place before now.  I am grateful for the leaders who worked to make it happen.  And, I am extremely proud of the progress after just one year.  I thank all those who have worked tirelessly in those efforts this year.  I state all this because I want to ensure there is no misunderstanding as I share my very real concerns with the request currently before the Council.

We do not have to love history, but we certainly should be aware of it and its effects.  As leaders, we must take note of what was done successfully, what works for the good of all (at least most), and what was done poorlyÑcareful not to repeat it.  Some even say, we are not the first city to achieve this level of greatness, it did not happen overnight, and we are not trying to reinvent the wheel.  As we make city related decisions for improvement, we look at other cities of comparable population and budget to gage our considerations.

I donÕt propose to know how and what it takes to run a school system, and IÕm not questioning their day to day operations. However, after 18 months, I have a birdÕs eye view of what it takes to run this city, where improvements are badly needed for the age and size city we have become, and how we are often asked to do more with limited resources by those we serve.  Research reveals that the school systems in which we might aspire to be compared to receive funding by the sure and steady stream of advalorem taxes, not the ever fluctuating and volatile sales tax.  However, as we keep moving towards our goal of excellence, we welcome the people within our market footprint to shop here and contribute to the growth of our educational resources.  And, I want it to continue for as long as possible.  

Unfortunately, we donÕt have a crystal ball, so we have to use our knowledge of whatÕs going on right now, along with what history has taught us.  Right now, we are recruiting more businesses to build our tax base, which is still rather slow as our economy continues to recover. Right now, the cities around us have matched our increased sales tax rate to provide infrastructure and cash reserves to provide anyone willing to develop within their city limits. And, ALDOT is in the process of making it easier for some of them with improved roads and bridges. 

We have learned from history a great school system brings more roof tops, which adds to the property tax base (more money in the education budget).  But, those additional roof tops also bring increased cost for city services Ð more public safety personnel & equipment, more roads in need of maintenance and repair leading to more public works personnel & equipment, and more park and recreation participants and green space.  All of which are predominantly funded by sales tax and business licenses.  Historically, we have seen shopping malls come and go, as the next new development pops up in the general vicinity. Or even the impact of it happening down the interstate on the edge of a cityÕs current footprint.  Once again, proving sales tax is not a reliable source of revenue, and one certainly not to be relied on for something as important as our school system. But, the wise should certainly stock pile it as long as it lasts to help build reserves.

We are currently watching another city in the metro area and their school system realize difficult times at a point they canÕt help each other, but not because they donÕt want to, or even because they donÕt need each other. The school system is currently re-evaluating their expenses and having to make tough decisions, and warning their peers to get that city financial commitment locked downÑa financial commitment which canÕt be realistically estimated past a minimal number of years.   Their city revenues do not seem to be growing to cover their increase in costs of city services, as they work to build their tax base.  AlabasterÕs retail growth had a negative impact on the tax base of other cities around us. 

On the other hand, we see the reputable Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook systems are rocking along with no devastating financial issues on the news front.  Their city leaders & BOE are working in sync to stay the course. I imagine our citizens want Alabaster to be more like themÑprimarily funded on the steady stream of increasing property values, and working together to ensure we are both successful. Our success, ACS and city, requires both to be goodÑnot one be great at the cost of the other. And, just because there are questions, doesnÕt mean one is not in support of the other.

I have shared my concerns, from a pure financial point of view not political, about a 30 year pledge which canÕt be altered.  This seems to be the time when the two organizations should be sitting down together to discuss the five & ten year plans of both, and how they impact each other.  I have tried hard to take my CPA hat off, and to think outside of the box, but I just canÕt get comfortable with this plan.

I ran for this office on the premise of financial accountability, transparency, and building relationships within and surrounding our community. And, I believed open lines of communication and willingness to compromise, among folks with the same goal, could overcome any obstacle.  A decision of this magnitude deserves plenty of discussion, and a contingency plan for the Òwhat ifÓ scenario?  I have asked for a compromise, for the sake of Òworst caseÓ scenario. There are other options to consider which will allow ACS to accomplish their 5 year capital improvement plan, including the new high school and athletic facilities.
There have been many changes of late around our county, and we have yet to realize what will take place in response to those changes.  We should not make rash decisions which canÕt be altered. 

So much, out of our control, can happen over the next 30 years. And, I believe the likelihood of history repeating itself is more possible than the likelihood of Alabaster citizens electing leaders who will not want to support their school system. 

Media Release