5 Takeaways From Northport Mayor's State Of The City Address

NORTHPORT, AL — Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon gave his State of the City Address during Monday night's City Council meeting, highlighting ongoing projects, wish-list items and talking points that have been widely-publicized and discussed across the city over the last year.

Here's an overview of our biggest takeaways from his presentation.

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1. Growth

A central theme that could be seen throughout Herndon's roughly 20-minute presentation was the rapid growth seen in Northport, as reflected in the latest data from the 2020 U.S. Census.

Indeed, as Patch has previously reported, Northport moved from the 21st largest city in Alabama to the 17th, logging a population growth of 33% over the last decade.

"I fully expect when the 2030 census comes out, Northport will be 14th or 15th largest," Herndon said. "The two or three above us are not growing at the rate we are."

And it's this rate of growth that has been the driver for many conversations and proposed projects, one of which has been Herndon's primary platform issue on the campaign trail for years — a Northport city school system.

2. City School System

"This is something very, very dear to my heart," Herndon said of the proposed Northport city school system. "Everybody that knows me knows I'm a proponent for Northport having its own school system. We'll never be the city we can be if we don't."

While the cost of such an endeavor is one of the hottest talking points in the debate over a split from by the city from the Tuscaloosa County School System, Herndon focused primarily on facilities and community input.

ALSO READ: Column — The Separatists & The School System

He then pointed out the city's contract with a pair of firms — one being a law firm to provide advisement during the due diligence process by city officials, while the other has been tasked with conducting the city's feasibility study for the proposed split.

"We have a great opportunity here and it might not happen soon, but it's got to happen before too long," Herndon said. "Right now, we have three schools in [Councilman Woodrow Washington III] and [Councilwoman Christy Bobo's] districts that should have been demolished years ago. We still have students having to go to some classrooms with no heat and it's the lower income students, minorities that predominantly go to those schools. It is an embarrassment and a disgrace that this has gone on for so long."

But the kicker for many is the cost associated, one that would inevitably mean raising property taxes to finance the city school system.

ALSO READ: What's At Stake As Northport Looks To Split From TCSS

"When the time comes, if the council at some point decides they want to start their own school system, we need to be prepared to support it," Herndon said, after mentioning that Tuscaloosa County pays the state minimum for its millage rate — 10 mills, while places like Shelby County pay 30 mills.

For those unfamiliar with such terminology, this 10 mills is defined, per the Alabama Department of Revenue, as being one cent on every dollar of a property's assessed value.

Comparatively speaking, Shelby County residents pay three cents on every dollar for their property tax.

Herndon went on to argue that the city should already be in the planning stages for two new schools north of Highway 82. However, he insisted this shouldn't even be considered until problems are addressed at schools in Districts 1 and 2.

"It's going to take the citizens of Northport to buy into it," Herndon cautioned. "Right now, [Tuscaloosa County High School] is a 7A as a school. There are 32 7A schools and, as far as I can research, we are the poorest. Our citizens pay the lowest millage property tax allowed."

3. Finances

Much has been said by city officials in the last year regarding Northport's finances, namely the city's clean audit and AA bond rating.

Herndon then reflected back to when he was sworn into office in 2008 and city leaders were informed Northport was on the verge of bankruptcy, which he said underscores the fiscal responsibility of those managing the city's books in the years since, in addition to the decisions on the part of elected officials.

Quick topics Herndon mentioned regarding finances:

• $37 million general fund budget adopted by City Council.
• $10 million water and sewer fund budget adopted.
• Nearly $8 million capital projects budget.
• The city is also retaining reserves in the amount of 12%.

4. Quality of life

While tempers have flared about different issues in Northport over the last year and no doubt will continue to do so in the coming months and years, there is plenty of buzz around a range of different projects aimed at improving the overall quality of life for Northport citizens and the surrounding area.

One project in particular Herndon expressed pride in is the new University of Alabama medical facility currently under construction beside Lowe's on Highway 82. The overall project is 77,000 square feet, with the first phase expected to be 15,000 square feet.

"That's going to be the inaugural campus of the University of Alabama at Northport," Herndon said with a laugh.

Other "quality of life" projects mentioned briefly by Herndon:

• The purchase of 151 acres on Rose Boulevard that is being considered as the potential site for a water park and/or a large-scale youth sports tournament facility. As the mayor noted, the feasibility study for the project has already been completed.
• The completion of the Northern Pedestrian Plan, which will add walking trails, bike paths and other amenities along Mitt Lary Road. It will connect neighborhoods like Forest Glen and Glen Crest with walkable pedestrian path to Tuscaloosa County High School and various retail locations in the area.
• The Southern Pedestrian Plan is now underway by TTL, Inc. for the southern part of the city, primarily along the Black Warrior River.
• Improvements underway to the city's 12th Street Park at the Hasson Center.
• A proposed 200-acre mixed-use development on Highway 69.

ALSO READ: Northport To Consider Firm For Water Park/Sportsplex Master Plan

5. Infrastructure

While cosmetic changes to City Hall might not necessarily be classified as infrastructure-related, Herndon said it shows the city's commitment to moving forward and continually looked for ways to improve the amenities residents can see and experience every single day.

For instance, not only was the Northport Civic Center & City Hall the recipient of a new coat of a paint and exterior facelift in the last year, there was also a new city logo and signage approved and posted at City Hall and Watermelon Road to update the city's look to residents and newcomers visiting the city for the first time.

Here's a quick rundown of the projects Herndon mentioned:

• $38 million in infrastructure projects either underway or in the preliminary planning phases.
• Charlie Shirley Road paving from Highway 43 to Highway 69.
• Repaving Watermelon Road from Highway 82 to Sokol Park.
• Street and public WiFi improvements along Main Avenue.
• The city is also managing $16 million in water and sewer infrastructure projects, Herndon said, although he stressed the importance of the city branching out in its offerings to keep pace with rapid growth.
• The hiring of Kimley-Horn to serve as the city's grant consultant, which Herndon said has helped the city stretch its tax dollars even farther.

ALSO READ: Full List Of 2021 City Of Northport Resurfacing Projects

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