Gadsden budget vote delayed

Gadsden’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year is set to be voted on at the councils next meeting.  The proposed budget includes a 2.5 percent raise for full-time city employees and a 50-cents-per-hour increase for part-time employees, but it also includes an increase in the cost of retirees’ health insurance.  The budget was the subject of its first public hearing Tuesday, but councilman Bob Echols moved that the council consider the ordinance at the same meeting, which would require unanimous consent from the council members.  Councilman Thomas Worthy voted against considering the budget.

Worthy said he don’t think they should be going up on retirees’ insurance.

Worthy also suggested a smaller raise for higher-earning employees, which would allow lower-income employees to receive a bigger raise. Other council members requested that Worthy reconsider, but he declined. The budget will be brought up for a vote at next Tuesday’s meeting. The city approved economic development agreements with RARE Hospitality International Inc. and I-359 East Inc. for a proposed LongHorn Steakhouse.

The agreement proposes to rebate 50 percent of the proceeds from the 4 percent sales tax for a maximum of four years or $200,000, whichever is reached first, and it also proposes to sell property for the development of the business on the condition that it is pursued within a year.