by Mayor Tommy Battle
The City of Huntsville is conducting a transit study to help improve and grow its public transit system and we need to hear from you before Sept. 28.
Public transportation consultants, Nelson Nygaard, have posted an online survey at www.surveymoney.com/r/HuntsvilleTransitStudySurvey to gather resident input about experiences and needs for the Huntsville Shuttle Bus and Handi-Ride systems. This is a good opportunity for residents to provide feedback on the future of public transit in Huntsville.
Huntsville’s public transit network serves about 4,000 citizens every day. The Huntsville Shuttle Bus has 12 traditional routes, two routes running every 30 minutes, and the others every hour. Handi-Ride operates 17 smaller buses by appointment to serve the elderly and disabled.
The City is looking for ways to expand public transit, make service more efficient, increase ridership, explore new technologies and to produce an implementable 5-year plan. Nelson Nygaard will provide direction on three critical areas:
* Saturday service
* Aging population that will live longer and more independently
*Growing workforce in the western industrial corridor
The survey closes September 28.
The City’s guidebook for our role in promoting and managing growth is the municipal budget. On Sept. 13, we presented a balanced $254.4 million budget, which provides a $209.7 million operating budget.
Capital improvements (a separate budget) include $25 million for City Hall construction (the actual cost will be more but will be spread out over fiscal years), $27 million in public park and recreation projects, $41 million in infrastructure improvements, and our continued support of the school system at $24.7 million.
In keeping with our prudent financial practices, this budget is sound and adequately provides for general operating needs. Thanks to our improved economy, we finally have some breathing room to slowly begin to replenish fleet, invest in parks and new roads, and to begin work on a badly needed City Hall.
Still, there isn’t a windfall of money coming into City coffers. As with any upturn in the economy, there is another downturn around the corner, and it has been our philosophy to lead and spend responsibly.
Council will hold a work session next week to consider the FY 19 budget and will consider approval at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 27. If approved at that time, the new budget will go into effect October 1, the beginning of the municipal fiscal year.
Don’t forget this Sunday evening, there’s the fourth of five Jazz in the Park concerts in Big Spring Park East. If you haven’t been, you’re missing a real treat, and you have just two opportunities left – Sept. 23, and 30.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments at contact@huntsvilleal.gov or by calling 256-427-5000.