Mayor Aaron Talks Cooperation at Northport Engagement Dinner
March 28, 2017
Mayor Donna Aaron talked about the importance of cooperation at the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's Northport Community Engagement Dinner, held Monday, March 27 at the Levee Bar and Grill.
"We're fortunate to have a wonderful, supportive council committed to doing the right thing," Aaron told attendees. "We've really hit the ground running."
Since the election, Aaron said the focus was on passing a lean budget, paying off the city's substantial debt, and ending the practice of borrowing from the city's water and sewer fund to make payroll, among other key concerns.
"We've also got several key positions we're trying to hire," she said. "I know there's been a lot of attention paid to the city administrator's position, but we've got an interim [Joseph Rose] in there doing a good job, and we've got a number of other positions that need to be filled."
Aaron said one area of interest to citizens is the upcoming move to one day per week garbage collection. The City of Northport currently collects garbage on a twice-weekly basis. "We have heard some pushback from citizens," she said. "However, this change will save the city a half-million dollars per year in workman's compensation premiums, and we're working on some public awareness. I think the citizens will be just as happy with one day a week collection." Aaron said the city will purchase one garbage can per household.
Aaron also addressed a number of traffic projects that are either in the city limits or will impact city limits. "I've been working with Mayor Maddox and the probate judge in the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission," she said." "This is a phenomenal group."
Other topics addressed included streamlining city services, retail recruitment and the development of the city's riverfront.
The next Northport Community Engagement Dinner is scheduled for July 17. The event was sponsored by The Levee.