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Stimpson Address Budget Woes

20 views · Published 24 January 2014 · 2:20 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2014 · News & Politics

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MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) It's back to the drawing board for Mayor Sandy Stimpson and his finance director when it comes to the city of Mobile's budget.Stimpson announced that city workers would not be getting a 2.5 percent raise they were expecting. The previous administration promised employees would see more money on their checks starting on the first of the year. Tuesday Mayor Stimpson addressed the City Council and citizens to explain why the city cannot afford raises.The finance director walked in my office and said we have some bad news. He said last years results which was 2013 is worse than what we anticipated, said Mayor Stimpson.Stimpson addressed citizens Tuesday at City Council and said the city is more than $4 million in debt.Our administration is going to take the facts at hand and we're going to deal with that, and we're going to work to present and amended budget to the City Council for their approval, said Stimpson.It is one that will not include the 2.5 percent raise the previous administration promised for city employees for the first of the new year.I don't think anyone was really surprised by it, said Mobile Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Steve Huffman.Huffman said it has been about eight years since hes seen an increase in pay.Yes we would love to have a raise but we'd certainly understand why we can't, said Huffman. Stimpson stated the last administration took capital maintenance and project funds to use for operating expenses and neglected to budget for the cruise terminal and standard maintenance. Today we have an infrastructure that's crumbling. This year we have $159,000 to take care of five million square feet of buildings. That's not doable. So we have got to change, said Stimpson.Councilman John Williams agreed, This (is) initial step to get us in sound financial or fiscal place, and our city is going to ensure that we're going to do that. Stimpson said he will meet with all department heads to review and amend the budget to present to council for approval.

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