Our new City Hall has been complete for some time, the occupants are now comfortably situated, some new furnishings have been acquired and members of our City Government work diligently doing the peoples business. It is now time to move on to the remodeling of the old city hall to make way for the new Police Station, Court Complex and City Jail, a City Justice Center Complex.
What has not been discussed in the open are the costs. I am hearing an astronomical $1.5 to 2 million bucks is what the remodeling and construction program will cost. Can we afford it or will a "secret" contingency fund by utilized? Here's the problem and the secret, if you can call it a secret, an approximate $2 million dollar "rainy day fund" has not been officially mentioned by city officials nor is it reflected as a fund site in city audits. I have been informed by ex-officials of Scottsboro that an "emergency operations fund" was established by City Leadership after the sale of Goose Pond Island was complete, the fund was set aside to operate the city in times of disaster in case of no incoming revenue. Is there a contingency fund and what funds will be utilized to pay for the construction of the new Justice Center Complex?
I see no reason why ex-city officials would not be telling the truth concerning this matter. Particularly in lieu of an up coming election.