Former mayor Paul Finley spoke to Madison City Council at its meeting on Sept. 28. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – On Sept. 28, a former mayor entered the dialogue about the city’s 2016 budget dispute between Madison City Council and Mayor Troy Trulock.

Former mayor Paul Finley, speaking directly to Trulock, said, “When you chose purposely not to turn in a budget and in a timeframe that this city has used for the last 20 years, you fundamentally changed how city government works in the city of Madison. I don’t think it’s for the better.”

Finley then described the normal “three-month process” of interaction that delivers a city budget.

“Troy, you changed that for one of two reasons,” Finley said. “You’re either incompetent or politically motivated. You’ve done it right for two years, and we know you’re not incompetent. I don’t think that there’s any question … you added eight pages just for ‘positioning.'”

“It pains me to see what’s happening,” Finley said.

In handwritten notes on the budget, Trulock stated “it’s unfortunate” that council did not fund the mayor’s aide position in 2016. However, Finley charged that Trulock had chosen not to staff the position for three years. “Actually, it’s two years,” Trulock said.

“Troy, I don’t think you can give them (council) that problem,” Finley said.

City officials “can’t afford to continue to fight. (Madison) is about to pass the 50,000 threshold (in population), which changes the way the city will run,” Finley said. “Let’s find a way that we can work together.”

In addition, Finley encouraged council to pursue a larger percentage of TVA in-lieu-of-tax money. From a “$12 million pot,” Madison received $85,000, based on 1980s’ figures that ranked Madison’s population with Triana and Gurley.

On Sept. 30, Trulock presented “The Madison Record” with a copy of meeting minutes for Madison City Council on Nov. 14, 2011. The minutes state, “Council Member Vannoy announced that a Council Work Session will be held on November 16th at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 130 at City Hall. The topic is review of the 2012 proposed budget.” The minutes for Nov. 28 state, “Proposed Ordinance No. 2011-231 approving FY 2012 Budget — Council Member Jennings moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2011-231 approving FY 2012 budget.” All council members voted to approve the budget.

In other business, council paid $5,907.67 to Reed Contracting for repair materials for Madison Utilities trench failures. From the 2013 and 2015 bond account, council approved $122,958 to Nola VanPeursem Architects, PC for recreational facility and natatorium plans.

The council okayed a memorandum of agreement with Limestone County Commission for resurfacing Huntsville-Brownsferry Road from Burgreen Road to County Line Road at $250,000.

Councilman Mike Potter commended patience of Madison Senior Center members while the center was closed to remove asbestos. During the closure, Dublin Park hosted the seniors.

Madison County Health Department will give free flu shots on Oct. 7 and 21 from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Trulock proclaimed Oct. 9 as Firefighter Appreciation Day. Madison Police Foundation will present its first Halloween Bash on Oct. 31.