McCamy gives State of the City address

Clarion Top News

Tuesday, 16 April 2024 14:12

Last week’s State of the City Address began with Raymond Brandon leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scottsboro High School Beta Trio singing the National Anthem. Mayor Jim McCamy began by thanking the Scottsboro Electric Power Board and the Scottsboro Water, Sewer and Gas Board for sponsoring the event. He also thanked both for keeping Scottsboro City residents safe throughout this past winter’s storms.
McCamy thanked his Partners Group which included the sponsors and Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Economic Development Authority, Goose Pond Colony, the Commercial Development Authority, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Huntsville Hospital Highlands Medical Center, Main Street Scottsboro, Impact Learning Center and Scottsboro Board of Education. McCamy says that with recruitment of industry, there are always questions, and among those include what healthcare and education can be provided for the company and their employees.

McCamy stated that during the last three years, especially during the last two years, Scottsboro has seen significant growth and accomplishments. McCamy stated that they will continue to sustain and continue the growth seen within the city.

McCamy announced that $100,000 in opioid settlement funds was donated to the Courts of Jackson County to be used for the benefit of individuals and families who continue to deal with the impacts of the opioid crisis.

Redstone Federal Credit Union School branch was opened this past September. This branch supports the financial literacy requirement recently passed by the Alabama State Legislature. It is ran daily by students within Scottsboro High School. McCamy thanked Redstone for their partnership.

McCamy announced that 213 new students have been enrolled in Scottsboro City Schools since last fall.

He also praised various individuals and sports teams within the Scottsboro City Schools for the titles won throughout the year.

McCamy went on to congratulate the Jackson County Board of Education on the opening of the Kevin Dukes Career and Innovation Academy. “The facility will support employment of high school students who have goals of entering the workforce with excellent skills and training directly out of high school,” stated McCamy.

He then spoke regarding the Northeast Alabama Community College Truck Driving School. This is possible through collaboration of various city and county agencies, as well as Northeast Alabama Community College.

McCamy said, “We are extremely excited about the new workforce development center at Northeast. This will be a first class, state-of-the art, $26 million facility that will support business and industry workforce training needs in the Northeast Alabama Region and will further enhance goals of our high school students.”

According to records, Sales Tax for the City of Scottsboro increased from $13.6 million in fiscal year 2022 to $14.9 million for fiscal year 2023. Property taxes for fiscal year 2023 came in at $1.53 million and business licenses came in at $1.28 million.

McCamy stated, “So far for fiscal year 2024, we are at $1.13 million and are on track to exceed last year’s numbers.”

TVA in-lieu-of tax for fiscal year 2023 was up to $992,019 from $796,575 in fiscal year 2022, representing a 24 percent increase from 2022. However, this was following a 53% decrease over the previous 10 years of 2012 through 2022.

Garbage collection increased from $3.9 million in fiscal year 2022 to $4.28 million in fiscal year 2023.

The City lodging tax for fiscal year 2023 came in at $526,000. Twenty percent of those funds went to the Tourism Grant Fund, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Commercial Development Authority and Mainstreet Scottsboro. The City of Scottsboro provided $64,000 in tourism grants during fiscal year 2023.

Budgeted Revenue for the City of Scottsboro for fiscal year 2024 is $27.6 million, an increase from $24.98 million in fiscal year 2023 and $24.6 million in fiscal year 2022.

McCamy stated that 80-85 percent of job growth in the city comes from existing industries. Last year alone, among three existing industries there was $31.7 million in expansions to existing industries within the City of Scottsboro.

New businesses including Publix, TJ Maxx, Pet Supply Plus, Great Clips, Beaute Nail Spa, Jersey Mike’s, Mavis Tire, What-a-Burger, Chick-Fil-A, Dunkin Donuts and 5 below opened in the City of Scottsboro during 2023.

During fiscal year 2021 the City of Scottsboro resurfaced 1.3 miles of roadway, at a cost of $265,876 and 4.4 miles of roadway, at a cost of $841,740 during fiscal year 2022. Over six miles of roadway resurfacing are planned for 2024 and are currently preparing for bid.

McCamy announced the upcoming Community Clean-up Day, scheduled for April 27. Those interested should meet at the Scottsboro City Hall on April 27 at 8:30 a.m. The targeted area will be Willow Street and all supplies will be provided.

McCamy ended the State of the City by giving the Mayor’s award. McCamy emotionally described this years recipient as a lifelong resident of Scottsboro and a Scottsboro High School graduate, one who always wanted to be a teacher. McCamy stated, “ I remember that career starting as a Swimming and lifesaving instructor. Our recipient continues to see and hear from many past students. Following college and with a degree in education, our recipient returned to Scottsboro and began an incredible career as a teacher, a mentor and a pioneer in young women’s sports, promoting opportunities not typically recognized during that time. Our recipient has been married to her husband, John for 53 years and has two sons and two grandsons.”

McCamy then invited a surprised, Betty Esslinger to the stage to receive the Mayor’s Award.