TEEN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING PARENTS IN ECLECTIC. PAGE 9
TUESDAY
THE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
See what’s going on in the area, page 5.
FOOTBALL FLASHBACK: A look back at weekend news. Sports, Page 10.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 September 13, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 184
www.alexcityoutlook.com
City piles up accounting fees Outside firms have already been paid $160,279 in 2016 with much more likely to come By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City paid two accounting firms $160,279 for work performed through June to review the city’s finances due to theft allegations, missing funds, a backlog in audits and financial statements that had not been reconciled. While the amount is substantial, that total does not include any work performed by the Birmingham-based firm of Carr, Riggs and Ingram or Opelika-
based Brantley, Boucher & Farr for the last three months where two years of audits and back reconciliations have been active with staff on the premises virtually every day. The Outlook learned of the expenses incurred by the city after filing a request for information under the Alabama Open Records law. City Council President Jim Spann said he was not aware of that total amount, but said that the work is absolutely necessary to get the city’s finances current
and back on schedule before the new council is sworn in. “That is a lot of money and it’s a shame that it has gotten to that point,” Spann said. “If these numbers are just through June, I am certain before they are done it will be substantially higher,” Spann said. “When you start dealing with tax issues and the IRS and being behind on audits and trying to catch up, those numbers add up very quickly.” Spann said he is unaware of how the city got behind on audits, but the delay
City school board adopts $32.8 million FY17 budget
Liquor license denied for store in Wall Street Community By MITCH SNEED Editor
The Alexander City Board of Education adopted a budget of $32.8 million for fiscal year 2017 at a specially called meeting of the board Monday morning at the Board offices on Lee Street. The board also approved the hiring of Nick Davis, a Dadeville native, as a new assistant principal at Benjamin Russell High School. Davis comes to Benjamin Russell from his position as assistant principal at Wetumpka High School. The board’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year represents a 1.57 percent increase from the current fiscal year’s budget of $32.3 million. In addition, Rhonda Blythe, chief financial officer for the board, said that it reflects $581,152 more in revenue than in expenditures. “We’re very pleased with the budget,” said Darrell Cooper, superintendent of Alexander City Schools. “We’re like school systems throughout the state in See BUDGET • Page 3
Weather
89 71 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
487.86 Reported on 9/12/16 @ 3 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Above, James Hornady, left, and Lloyd Lancaster of the Alexander City Fire Department serve themselves barbecue at the annual first responder luncheon hosted by USAmeriBank Monday. Below, Officer Brian Ray and Det. George Long of the Alexander City Police Department partake in the special meal Monday.
A BIG THANK YOU USAmeriBank honors area’s first responders By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
On the heels of the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, employees at USAmeriBank in Alexander City hosted a luncheon honoring area first responders. “This is just a small token of appreciation for what you do for us everyday,” USAmeriBank’s Mark Spencer said. “Thank you for protecting us and keeping us safe.” For 10 years the employees have been hosting the luncheon. This year, Sho’nuff Barbecue was on the menu but it was the desserts that took the cake. See THANKS • Page 3
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Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ed Collari gave the Tallapoosa County Commissioners an update Monday on the business incubator planned for the former processing center at USAmeriBank on Highway 280. Collari said the center that has been dubbed The Lake Martin Innovation Center and will serve as hub for aspiring new businesses, be a new home for the Chamber and will offer a space with lightning fast Internet speeds can be used by business people on a temporary basis. “It will serve as the new home for the Chamber, but we only have four people,” Collari told the commissioners. “The remainder of the space will be used to generate an economic impact by providing a home for aspiring or budding entrepreneurs and new businesses.” Collari said that the building already has the technological infrastructure to make it a ideal spot for business people looking for a space to work. “One of the most significant aspects of the facility is that it already has fiber pulled throughout,” Collari said. “Our goal is to have a Gig in and a Gig out and to use it as an Internet cafe for business people for lack of a better term, See COMMISSIONERS• Page 9
Central Alabama Red Cross efforts reach far beyond blood drives EDITOR’S NOTE: The United Way of the Lake Martin Area partners with 27 agencies that serve the local area in a variety of important ways. Each year, United Way holds a major fundraising campaign to raise money that is disbursed among those agencies. For the next several weeks, The Outlook will briefly profile each of those 27 agencies, beginning today with the Red Cross of Central Alabama.
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
See BILLING • Page 3
Commissioners hear update on biz incubator
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Today’s
in having accurate and current financial information impacts the city adversely on several fronts. He said bond ratings suffer and that budgeting is difficult if not impossible when the numbers for the most recent completed fiscal year aren’t available. “I’m not sure how we got behind,” Spann said. “I suspect it’s when we went from one firm to another a number of years ago. That caused a delay of a few
Who is the American Red Cross of Central Alabama? Through a network of volunteers and donors, the American Red Cross works to prevent and alleviate human suffering in times of emer-
Local resident warns of sweepstakes scam gency and disaster. It is most widely known for its blood services, but its efforts reach far beyond its blood drives. What programs and services does Red Cross provide the citizens of Central Alabama? The American Red Cross offers a wide range of programs, services and educational opportunities that help individuals, families and communities prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. These include: • Disaster services: The Red Cross provides shelter, warm meals, clothing, emotional support and hope to those affected by a variety of disasters. • Health and safety classes: The Red Cross See RED CROSS • Page 3
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
They are at it again. It seems almost weekly another scam is making the rounds. This time Alexander City’s Nona Patterson did not fall for their ways. “They said they were calling from Publisher’s Clearinghouse,” Patterson said. “They said that I had won $2,5 million and a Mercedes Benz.” It was then the caller made a request that set off the bells for Patterson. See SCAM • Page 3
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