The City of Andalusia’s Adult Activity Center and Senior Nutrition staff members are seeking sponsors for their annual Praying Hands program.
The staff organizes the gift drive for senior citizens each fall, making sure that no seniors are forgotten at Christmas.
Adult Activity Center director Sonja Godwin said she and other staff members have asked clients who might be in need to complete questionnaires about their Christmas wishes.
“Typically, we ask people to come by and pick up an information sheet on a senior from our Praying Hands tree,” Godwin said. “This year, we are seeking helpers to make Christmas special for more than 50 individuals, all of whom are 60 years or older and many of whom are homebound.”
The AAC staff is asking adopters to participate in one of two ways.
“You can call our office at 222-6891 to choose your praying hands revealing a senior’s wishes,” Godwin said. “We ask that you spend no less than $50 per person.”
Alternately, she said, individuals can make a financial contribution and the AAC staff will shop for the senior adults. Gifts should be dropped at the Adult Activity Center no later than Friday, November 22.
For additional information, call Godwin at 222-6891 or email her at .
The City of Andalusia increased its net position for the ninth consecutive year, the city’s audit for the fiscal year ending in 2023 showed.
Missy Pierce, CPA, and Gail Hayes, CPA, from Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes, P.C. presented the city’s audited financials for fiscal year 2023 Tuesday. The auditors reported no findings.
“This is the best report we can give,” Pierce said.
Pierce said the City of Andalusia increased its net position by $2.7 million, as compared to FY 2022, partially because a strong economy produced a 4.6 percent increase in tax revenues.
“The city continues to improve its strong financial position,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “This is great news for the city, and it is because of the guidance of the council and the contributions of everyone who works for the city.”
Other highlights of the audit included:
• The City had a combined ending fund balance of $33.4 million, an increase of $2.3 million from the previous year.
• The City made payments of just more than $2.3M on its long-term debt.
• The City’s program expenses increased by only 6.7 percent over the previous year.
Pierce said the auditors’ report is “unmodified,” which is the best that can be given.
John Thompson, city administrator, said the audit reflects a months-long process that began in January.
“They really dig into every aspect of the city’s finances,” he said. “If the council approves a development agreement, the auditors want to sit down and have us explain it. It’s significant that this audit was completed without a finding, a citation or anything irregular going on in this $28 million annual business.”
The council officially adopted the financial statement Tuesday night.
New Andalusia Public Library Director Sara Mixson hopes to expand current programming to build more lifelong readers.
“We have a wonderful library and an excellent staff who strive to create an inclusive and supportive community space,” she said. “Our children's summer reading program reached record numbers this year, but it seems that engagement drops off in middle grades and above.
“Moving forward, I want to lead programs to encourage life-long readers and learners and ensure that the evolving needs of the community are met through programs and activities for all ages,” Mixson said.
“I have always had a deep passion for literature, education, and community service,” Mixson said. “This job allows me to incorporate all of those passions while fostering learning and providing access to information.”
Prior to joining the City, Mixson worked with Andalusia City Schools for 23 years, first as a secretary in the superintendent’s office and later as a teacher at Andalusia High School.
At APL, she replaces Mona Simon, who retired.
“I have lived in this community my entire life, and I love all of the revitalization that is going on downtown,” Mixson said. “We have an amazing library with wonderful children’s programs. I look forward to creating opportunities for the Andalusia Public Library to serve the community in an even larger capacity moving forward.”
Mixson is a graduate of Andalusia High School, and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. She earned her BA in English with a business minor from Troy University Dothan, and is completing her MLIS at the University of West Alabama.
She and her husband, Rob, have two children, Emmy, and JR.
Residents of Andalusia will see an increase in their garbage fees beginning in October.
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that would increase the monthly household rate for garbage and trash collection to $25 per month per wheeled container. The $5 per month increase would be the first increase since 2017, and only the second since 2008.
“The rates have been the same for seven years,” City Administrator John Thompson said. “During this time, we’ve spent $880,543 on garbage and trash trucks. The price of diesel has increased significantly during that time, as has the cost of labor. Since 2017, inflation has risen a total of 24.4 percent, so you can see that this proposed increase is in line with market conditions.”
In addition to the garbage pickup, the fee will continue to include trash collection – things like limbs and debris that are picked up by the city. There will only be an additional charge for that service if a resident fills up more than one truckload at a given time.
“I think most people would agree that we provide a premium service,” Thompson said. “Our Public Works Department does an excellent job keeping the garbage and trash picked up.”
The ordinance also increases rates for business garbage collections by the same percentage.
The Andalusia Adult Activity Center, in conjunction with White Star Tours, is planning a bus trip to Texas in 2025.
The nine-day, eight-night trip includes Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston, and is set for May 27 through June 5, 2025.
The trip is priced at $1,899 per person, double occupancy; $2,488 per person, single occupancy. A $25 non-refundable deposit is due by Jan. 13, 2025, with the final payment due by March 10, 2025.
The trip begins with a morning departure from Andalusia on May 27, and an overnight in Shreveport. On the return trip, travelers will overnight in New Orleans.
In addition, the travel package includes:
· 3 nights lodging in Dallas
· 2 nights lodging in San Antonio
· 1 nights lodging in Houston
· 8 breakfasts
· 4 dinners, including dinner at the Southfork Ranch & dinner at the New Orleans School of Cooking w/Cooking Demo
· Guided highlights tour of Dallas, including Old Red Courthouse, Dealy Plaza & JFK assassination site, JFK Memorial, Dallas City Hall, Dallas Heritage Village, & homes in Highland Park
· Tour of the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys
· Sixth Floor JFK Museum (based on availability)
· Tour of Southfork Ranch (setting of TV show Dallas)
· Guided highlights tour of Fort Worth, including the Cultural District, Billy Bob's of Texas, and the historic stockyards cattle drive
· Stockyards Rodeo
· Visit to Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco (made famous by HGTV's Chip & Joanna Gaines)
· Visit to San Antonio Riverwalk
· San Antonio's Paseo del Rio River Boat Cruise
· Highlights tour of San Antonio, including The Alamo, Old Mission Trail, King William Historic District, Market Square, & Governor's Palace
· Tour of Space Center Houston
· Free time in New Orleans' French Quarter
· Souvenir gift
· Luggage handling
· All taxes and meal gratuities
· Motorcoach transportation
For additional information or reservations, contact Sonja Godwin at the Andalusia Adult Activity Center, 401 Walker Ave., Andalusia, or (334) 504-1002.