Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – During a work session on Tuesday, Nov. 7th, the Orange Beach City Council will discuss the budget for the 2024 fiscal year. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores both use the calendar year as the fiscal year for the cities.

The council will meet at 5 p.m. in council chambers in a joint work/regular session.

The 2024 budget projects $66.4 million in revenues from a variety of taxes or $5 million more than projected in the 2022 budget.

Amounts budgeted for departments include:

• 
  $9.4 million for the fire department
• $8.7 million for the police department
• $5.6 million for Administration
• $4.5 million for the sewer department
• $3.5 million for the refuse department
• $3.3 million for the Street Department
• $2.7 million for Coastal Resources
• $2.5 million for Expect Excellence
• $2.5 million for Parks and Recreation
• $2.2 million for landscaping
• $1.5 million for Community Development
• $1.2 million for Finance
• $1.2 million for the Sportsplex
• $1.1 million for the recreation center and tennis center
• $1 million for the Art Department

The council will consider a resolution to approve the budget including the transfer of special revenue funds to the general fund for special revenue fund projects.

During the regular session, the council will discuss:

• Rejecting all bids for the construction of the Rosemary Dunes Cabins planned for the Rosemary Dunes trailhead. Four bidders were Black Diamond Construction for $395,100, MD Thomas Construction for $685,000, Phil Harris Construction for $595,450 and Rolin Construction for $630,000. According to the agenda, the Coastal Resources Department has decided not to build the cabins.
• Approving purchases made in the month of October for $1.2 million.
• Awarding the bid for the interior build out of the Wildlife Center and Trail Maintenance Shop for $720,000 to Rolin Construction. RESTORE Act funding will pay for $624,450 of the cost.
• Awarding the bid for a field house for the high school softball and baseball teams to Rolin Construction for $1.8 million.
• Awarding the bid for a blower package for the Utilities Department to Jim House & Associates in the amount of $178,200.                     
• Approving a contract with Lexipol to update the Orange Beach Fire Department’s policy manual for $41,490.
• Authorizing the purchase of a fortified lifeguard tower from Bausch Enterprises for $88,810 to be used on the east side of Perdido Pass.
• A contract with Garner C. Tampary Memorial Foundation for the “Merry Memories Tinsel Trail” event during the holiday season at Waterfront Park and the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach.
• A resolution authorizing the purchase of an ambulance for the fire department through the H-GAC purchasing cooperative from Southern Emergency Consultants in the amount of $405,954.
• Allowing an ordinance change in The Wharf’s planned unit development to allow for the building of a Culver’s Restaurant on the northwest corner of Canal Road and Wharf Parkway East.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

• 
  A resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the South Alabama Purchasing Association.
• A resolution authorizing an amended implementation agreement with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Triage Restoration Project. This amendment will make the project cost $860,000 by adding $80,000 for contingencies, according to the agenda.
• A resolution establishing a schedule of dates for the Municipal Court dates for 2024. Court will be in session every second Wednesday and fourth Tuesday of each month.
• A Resolution declaring certain personal property owned by the City of Orange Beach as surplus and unneeded and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to dispose of such property. The lot includes seven vehicles and two wave runners.
• Authorizing a change order with R&B Contracting Company, Inc., for the sewer force main from Canal Road to CR-12 Project in an amount not to exceed $80,722.
• A resolution authorizing an employee assistance program agreement with New Directions Behavioral Health.
• A resolution authorizing a mutual aid agreement with MedStar EMS, for the Fire Department.