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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Revenues for the city of Clanton exceeded projections by $4.3 million, according to the 2022 fiscal year audit presented on April 6.

The Clanton City Council discussed the audit during a work session with Janice Hull of Hull and Russell.

Revenue generated from sales tax increased by 6.4 % from the previous fiscal year

Just as revenue was more than had been budgeted, so expenses also increased during the fiscal year. Expenses were $1.6 million over budgeted amounts. There were also some transfers made to other funds.

“After transfers, a positive variance of $682,802 was indicated as a net change in fund balances,” according to information from the city.

Hull said there were zero negative findings and that the city’s internal controls in handling finances are working well.

Already in the 2023 fiscal year, Oct. 1 to March 1, revenue from business licenses has increased by $200,000 from the same period of time in the previous fiscal year, operations manager Lisa Taylor said. Revenue from sales tax has also seen an increase of about 18% when the two time periods of the fiscal years are compared.

Of the $5 million line of credit that the city secured in fiscal year 2022, the city has borrowed $3.6 million for the purchase of property. Two of the lots purchased are set to be sold for a total of $1.25 million, which can be used to pay off what was borrowed.

Mayor Jeff Mims gave the council an overview of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant opportunities that were being researched. The city has recently secured a tourism grant for $3,500 for the Peach Jam Jubilee.

An update on improvements to city hall was also given.

Setting an annual fee for a fortune telling services business license, rather than the current per event license was brought up as something to be considered for the future. There are two companies in Clanton that existed before the moratorium on such businesses was put into effect. City Clerk Jonathan Seale said there had been several requests by these types of businesses last year. Seale also said if the council wanted to put an annual business fee in place, the city could also look at regulations to lift the moratorium on fortune telling services.

An updated timeline on the Poplar Springs Road realignment was mentioned with September as the expected time when the project will begin.