The Scottsboro City Council handled a full slate of business during its September 14 work session and regular meeting, approving 90 percent of the city’s 2026-27 budget, funding for a major fishing event, financing for garbage trucks and a new pool pump, among other items.
Before turning to city business, council members took time to recognize two people whose quick actions were credited with helping save a student’s life.
Officer Travis Stevens and Principal Zac Holt were presented lifesaving awards for their response to an August 5 emergency involving a student who was found on the ground in a parking lot.
The student’s condition worsened while Stevens and Holt were with the student.
Stevens determined there was not enough time to wait for emergency medical personnel and placed the student in his police vehicle to transport the student to the hospital.
During the trip, Holt performed chest compressions.
The student was taken to the hospital and later flown to UAB.
The quick actions of Stevens and Holt likely saved the student’s life.
Among the largest financial items of the evening was approval of 90 percent of Scottsboro’s 2026-27 budget. The amount approved was $29,180,158.
During the work session, a council member noted that the figure represented approximately a $2 million increase over the previous year’s budget and thanked those involved for the work that went into preparing it.
Council members later unanimously approved the 90-percent budget during the regular meeting.
The council also heard a request for tourism funding for the Ultimate Angler fishing tournament at Goose Pond.
A representative described the organization as a nonprofit that brings approximately 200 top anglers to Goose Pond and said the event is designed to be more than a fishing tournament, incorporating activities celebrating both Scottsboro and Goose Pond.
Organizers are also working with area schools to bring students to the event for conservation education.
Approximately 1,200 to 1,500 students were expected to participate, according to the presentation.
The event is scheduled to include a boat giveaway during the weigh-in.
The boat was described as a fully loaded Tracker powered by Mercury and valued at approximately $30,000 to $40,000.
Attendance at the weigh-in is required to be eligible for the giveaway, but participation is open to anyone. Entertainment is also planned as part of the event.
The organization initially requested $15,000 from the city. During the regular meeting, the council approved $7,500 in tourism grant funding.
A special-event retail alcohol license was approved for Dominic’s on the Square for the Scottsboro Barbecue Festival.
Lisa Bennett was listed as the applicant for Dominic’s on the Square, LLC at 220 South Broad Street.
The approval also allows the business to use a tent in city-owned parking spaces in front of the business for alcohol sales during the festival.
The square is expected to be closed for the event.
The council also conducted a public hearing concerning city property at Goose Pond Colony Resort. City officials explained that the property remained zoned residential even though that designation did not reflect its current commercial use.
Officials said the intention is to change the property to C-3 commercial zoning.
They also discussed TVA-related restrictions affecting residential use of the property. No opposition was voiced during the hearing.
Because of the required waiting period before a rezoning vote, the matter was scheduled to return to the council on October 5.
A separate public hearing was held concerning Goose Pond Colony property on Bob Jones Road.
Officials said the developer still had information that was not ready to be presented, so that hearing was continued to the next work session.
The council approved financing for new garbage trucks through First Southern State Bank.
The city reported that five bids were delivered and two were received.
First Southern State Bank submitted the low financing bid at 4.07 percent.
The bid was approved during the regular meeting, with one council member stating for the record that they did not vote on the First Southern bid.
The council approved a $9,595 budget amendment for replacement pool equipment at the Recreation Department.
Parks and Recreation Director Pam Bradford explained during the work session that problems had developed with the existing equipment.
The replacement power end includes the motor, motor mount, seal, seal plate, impeller and diffuser.
Bradford said installation should require only one or two hours of downtime and should not require closing the pool.
The $9,595 expense will be paid from concession funds.
It was announced that Scottsboro is expected to host six travel softball tournaments Local travel softball families often have to travel to other areas.
Bringing those events to Scottsboro instead could bring visiting teams and families into the city and provide an economic benefit.
The council approved an updated job description for the municipal court clerk position, effective October 1.
During the work session, Judge Deborah Dunsmore explained that the position’s job description had not been updated since 2004 and said the revision was intended to better reflect the employee’s actual day-to-day responsibilities, including supervisory duties.
The position will be exempt and have an attached salary rather than a grade classification.
City employees will again receive Columbus Day as a one-time holiday in 2026.
Council members said the city has provided the holiday for at least the previous four years. The measure was approved during the regular meeting.
Because city offices will observe Columbus Day, the council announced it will hold both a work session and regular meeting on October 5 rather than meeting October 12.
The council also approved a resolution adopting federal grant procurement policies and a resolution concerning airport improvement funding that will allow the city to pursue airport improvement grants for 2027.
The city announced two upcoming vacancies on the Water, Sewer and Gas Board.
The appointments are for six-year terms.
Anyone interested in serving is asked to submit an application in writing to the city clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, September 24.
During council reports, members also praised the turnout for recent community activities and the work of city employees, including police, fire, street and recreation personnel.
Council members discussed activity at Two Sisters Square, including a recent karaoke event that reportedly drew a large crowd, and emphasized the importance of community participation as Scottsboro continues to host new activities and events.
