Fairfield, Al (Info)

[bhamguy]

Honestly, I don't know how much Birmingham benefit from, by annexing Fairfield. Fairfield would give a slight population boost, with a slight income boost to the city (according to median income), tax revenue from a few businesses such as the mall, The Home Depot, restaurants, etc. Also, US Steel may turn out to be a positive. In the end, Birmingham could help the Fairfield neighborhood, better than they could help themselves.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by bhamguy

Honestly, I don't know how much Birmingham benefit from, by annexing Fairfield. Fairfield would give a slight population boost, with a slight income boost to the city (according to median income), tax revenue from a few businesses such as the mall, The Home Depot, restaurants, etc. Also, US Steel may turn out to be a positive. In the end, Birmingham could help the Fairfield neighborhood, better than they could help themselves.

Right, but with that population boost comes crime that needs to be policed, children that need to be educated, infrastructure that needs to be maintained, etc. etc. and it seems that Fairfield may not have enough of a tax base to support itself. Now obviously by eliminating the dupliation of services, Birmingham could possibly provide some of these things cheaper than Fairfield could, but at best, it seems like a neutral proposition for the city, and very likely a negative. Will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

[Tourian]

They will need budget cuts across the board to survive and their council has passed a request for this to be looked at or else they will be out of money by middle of next month and won't be able to make payroll. If they can't pass a reduction in force action, bankruptcy or merger are the only options.

Fairfield City Council passes resolution to request reduction in force

[Tourian]

Seems like the end is nigh one way or another...

'Bleeding,' 'burning,' or 'sinking,' Fairfield without Walmart is a city in deep fiscal crisis | AL.com

Looks like the potential for someone being taken away in handcuffs or at the very least run out of office is there.

How big are Fairfield's issues? Fairfield*City Council members say even they're not certain. During a council meeting Monday, council members said they*tried to perform an audit of the city's finances last year, but were unable to because Mayor Kenneth Coachman has not provided the council*all the documentation needed or granted them access to all the city's bank accounts.*

The city council has not passed a budget since 2014, they said, for the same reasons.

Coachman was not at the council meeting Monday but said in a phone interview Thursday that the audit was begun but not completed because the city could not afford it.

"An audit costs money," Coachman*said. "We're over here trying to make the payroll."

[Tourian]

I imagine this will not go over well with anyone involved.

Fiscally strapped Fairfield votes to disband police department | AL.com

Jefferson Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Randy Christian said there is much to be worked out if deputies ever were to take over law enforcement duties in the city.

"Obviously there is infighting between the mayor and council. We will not get involved in the politics currently going on in Fairfield. Our hope is they will continue to provide their own police protection," he said. "Should they get their political issues worked out, and I don't see that happening any time soon, we would have to first agree to such an arrangement and then hire and train personnel. That doesn't happen overnight. It appears they have a lot of obstacles to overcome before approaching us. The leadership there needs to come together, resolve their issues and do their best to keep their police department on the job."

[John Williams]

Declare bankruptcy, vote to dissolve the city and enjoy a newfound existence as an unincorporated community, just like Forestdale.

That's what I see for Fairfield.

Also, Coachman should keep a few good lawyers on retainer.