The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday approved a $27 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

“Our department heads, the council and I have worked extremely hard putting together yet another conservative plan for the new year,” Mayor Earl Johnson said.

The budget has only a 6.67 percent increase in actual operating expenses, the mayor said, adding that it includes cost-of-living adjustments for city employees, as well as funding for currently open jobs in the police department and other areas of the city.

“When you look at the increase in operating expenses about a third of it is allocated for a cost-of-living adjustment or COLA, Performance Pay, and associated benefits. The City Council and I agreed to implement a 5 percent COLA, over two years, for all of our employees. It is important that we keep our pay scale in line with the current labor market.”

The budget includes:

• $26.2 million in operating expenses

• $250,000 in the contingency fund

• $586,903 for the capital improvement account, which is used for equipment or construction.

“We are pleased that the city’s revenues, which come mostly from sales taxes, continue to grow,” Mayor Johnson said. “Our employees and I work very hard at economic development in our quest to make sure Andalusia residents have the best quality of life possible, and that others choose our city as a destination.

“Since 2000, retail sales in the City of Andalusia have increased from $141.6 million to $314 million, or about 122 percent,” Mayor Johnson said. “We believe that we will continue to see growth in the retail sector as more new businesses open here. In just the next quarter, we know that Lost Pizza, Bealls, and Marshalls are all slated to open.”

The mayor said additional economic development announced are expected in the next three to six months, as well.

“We feel good about the local economy, and appreciate all of those who shop here, as well as those who have invested and own businesses here,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Andalusia Police Department obtain warrants for a suspect in a jewelry heist in the local Walmart who is currently being held in Georgia, only to find they are 15^th in line behind other departments with warrants to serve against him.

Lt. Jody Scott, who is an investigator with the APD, said Alfred Demond Jenkins, 41, of Georgia, currently is being held in Floyd County, Georgia, where he is accused of felony shoplifting in a case similar to the one in Andalusia.

Scott began investigating Jenkins in May, when security footage showed that a suspect entered the local Walmart early one morning, picked up a T-shirt that he used to cover his hands, and used some kind of tool to open the jewelry case, which he proceeded to clean out.

The man, who was accompanied by a woman whose role is unclear, walked through the store and exited on the far end of the building.

When an employee noticed the jewelry was missing, the APD began investigating, including dusting for prints, which were not found. The APD reviewed security footage, but was not able to identify the suspect.

Meanwhile, Scott said, local Walmart officials presented the APD with an itemized list of the items that were stolen, and began talking with loss prevention employees across the Walmart network. They determined that several Alabama and Georgia Walmart locations had been hit, but they were not able to identify the suspects by name.

But after an August jewelry theft from the East Rome (Georgia) Walmart, law enforcement agents were able to identify Jenkins. In Georgia, he had gained access to the jewelry cabinet, hidden jewelry in a trash can, then later removed tags and concealed the jewelry before leaving the store, according to WRGA news.

In Floyd County, Ga., Jenkins was charged with felony shoplifting and criminal trespass for damaging the display case. Once investigators determined his identity, they were able to compare security footage to link him to other thefts across two states.

At least 15 other agencies are waiting to serve warrants on Jenkins, as well. Scott said that the APD has warrants against him for theft of property first. In total, he is currently wanted for the theft of more than $300,000 in goods.

Jenkins is 41, and his address is listed as Albany, Ga.

The Andalusia City Council this week agreed to fund initiatives in the Andalusia City School System for a new maintenance facility, structural improvements for existing facilities, technology, and branding.

Dr. Daniel Shakespeare submitted the $2 million request on behalf of the school system. The funding is from an education sales tax approved in 2013.

Shakespeare said that “Old Main,” or the front part of Andalusia High School, has some serious maintenance needs. He has an estimate of $200,000 for reroofing the high school, and plans to spend $250,000 renovating some classrooms.

The system is acquiring a building and approximately 2.7 acres on Bonner Street at an approximate cost of $300,000 that will house its maintenance operations, he said.

“We had gotten an estimate to build a new facility, and it was going to cost $1.3 million,” he said. “We thought this was a better deal.”

Other approved allocations include:

• The bond payment for the recent stadium/auditorium project, as well as some repairs to the facility.

• Continuation of the Apple computer leases that facilitate one-to-one electronic devices in all Andalusia City Schools.

• Continued funding for a technology specialist to help teachers effectively use electronics in the curriculum.

• Continued funding to support art and music programs.

• Funding for promotional materials, videos, and billboards.

The Alabama Association of Realtors® this week included Andalusia in a published list of “10 small Alabama towns with great livability.”

The list is featured on the organization’s website and its social media pages.

“While cities make headlines, small towns more quietly go about the business of providing a sense of community, safety, and prosperity,” the article states. “These 10 were chosen based on safety, quality of life, cost of living, population, and schools.”

The article says of the city, “Andalusia doesn’t feel small when it comes to community life and activities. Among the city’s most popular annual events are Christmas in Candyland featuring snow and treats attracting visitors from across the region, and the World Championship Domino Tournament brings in competitors from across the country.

“Andalusia is home to Lurleen B. Wallace Community College and its own city school system. Cultural offerings include the notable Andalusia Ballet which features classical ballet performances including the annual Nutcracker. Nature lovers will enjoy the nearby Conecuh National Forest, Sepulga River, and Gantt Lake.”

Mayor Earl Johnson said, “We are honored to be included on this list of most livable communities. We work very hard with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to ensure we have a quality of life that draws people here.

“We know that Christmas in Candyland and JulyJamz are big events for us, and we are constantly looking for other events that improve the quality of life for local residents and could become annual draws for Andalusia,” the mayor said. “We believe our efforts with downtown redevelopment, and our constant quest to nurture local businesses and help build our retail trade area will help keep us ranked among the state’s most livable cities.”

Andalusia was one of only two cities in South Alabama included on the list. Neighboring Brewton, also is listed. Other Alabama cities on the list are Chelsea, Cullman, Guntersville, Hartselle, Jacksonville, Millbrook, Montevallo and Muscle Shoals.