Langford

[RunInRed 16,492]

This guy may be nuts, but I like the fact something may finally get done in this town.

Langford: The dome will go downtown

Birmingham Business Journal - by Jimmy DeButts Staff

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford told a room of real estate professionals Friday that his proposal for a domed stadium would likely be built downtown.

Langford said recent investments and planned projects around the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex make downtown the logical site for a multi-use domed facility. He said he visited locations off Lakeshore Parkway, Fair Park and the Birmingham Race Course and wouldn't rule out any site.

However, Langford told developers attending the 14th Annual CCIM/NAIOP Central Alabama Commercial Real Estate Market Symposium that a downtown dome makes sense.

"The dome probably needs to go downtown and that's probably where it will go," Langford said. "I know I scared some people."

Langford said he also wants two major parking decks to be built for employee and tourist use at the expanded BJCC arena complex.

The newly inaugurated mayor said he's given the city's business permit department until Monday to provide a plan to accelerate the permit process. He said he wants permits to be made available online and to ensure businesses don't need more than one day to get their licenses. He said he hopes to have the plan implemented within 45 days.

"There will be one-stop shopping for your permits," Langford said, which elicited cheers from the audience. "If it takes more than a day to get a permit, the people in the permit department will need a job. I will fire everybody in City Hall."

Langford pleaded for cooperation from commercial developers. He opened his speech requesting 10 supermarkets, two malls and the renovation of Five Points West.

"I will put whatever incentives are needed on the table to get it done," Langford said. "I need it done yesterday."

Langford said he would give away city-owned land for economic development, including 200 acres at the Daniel Payne Industrial Park. He said the city bears the cost for upkeep and businesses can better use the land. His only stipulation is a commitment for a 1 million gallon aquarium to anchor a development at Daniel Payne.

"I'd rather give it to a developer," Langford said.

[AFTiger 282]

First, let's raise taxes!

Mayor wants council to vote on plan Nov. 27

`It's high time we do something,' mayor says

Friday, November 16, 2007

JOSEPH D. BRYANT

News staff writer

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on Thursday proposed raising the sales tax in the city by 1 cent on the dollar and doubling business license fees to pay for his plans to build a domed stadium, improve mass transit, support economic development, improve the police and fire departments, and other programs.

Langford made the written proposal in a set of nine sealed envelopes he hand-delivered to City Council members at his first official meeting with them.

The mayor asked council members not to speak publicly about the proposal, which he said he intended to reveal next week.

Council members confirmed that the proposal, a one-page document that accompanied copies of a newspaper column, magazine article and data on city tax collections in Jefferson County, calls for increasing the sales tax in Birmingham from 9 cents to 10 cents. It also calls for doubling business license fees.

The new revenues generated would be used to support $500 million in bonds to build the dome and to match federal dollars available to improve the Metro Area Express transit system. Langford's plan would provide $25 million annually for mass transit.

For years, the system has been underfunded and unable to expand because local officials have not agreed on how to raise matching money to get millions of dollars in federal grants.

Langford said the plan has a $1.35 billion economic impact. The mayor asked the council to vote on his proposal Nov. 27.

"Nothing's free, but we have dragged our feet for so long that the infrastructure of this community has fallen down," he said.

Langford's proposal is projected to bring in $72 million annually - $36 million each from the sales tax and license fees - and be used to pay off bonds to build the domed stadium, according to council members. The sales and use tax increase would last for six years.

Langford instructed council members to return their copies of the plan to him Tuesday with their comments.

He said the initiatives his plan funds should have been done decades ago. He also said his plan gives Birmingham a chance to revive a city on the decline.

"I've had 59 years to think about this, and it's high time we do something," he said. "We want businesses in the communities, but the communities are so blighted that they won't come into the community."

Wait until Monday:

The mayor said he has discussed the plan with business leaders who have pledged their support.

The plan was sealed in 24-by-14-inch envelopes marked "Personal and Confidential Not for Distribution. Only Mayor May Comment on Contents." Langford said he would make his plan public Monday, giving the council enough time to read it.

"You don't need to read this in the paper," Langford said. "Once we get all on the same page, then we make it public."

After the meeting, Council President Carole Smitherman, who had not yet opened the envelope containing the plan, said she was interested to see what it included and was impressed by his fast action.

Still, she said, the council might not be ready to vote in two weeks, as the mayor requested. Smitherman called for a public hearing to give residents a chance to hear and comment on the package.

"When you're spending public funds you need to have public input," she said.

Councilman Steven Hoyt, chairman of the council's Economic Development Committee, also expressed enthusiasm after meeting with Langford, but agreed with Smitherman that the council needed more time to study and give the public information about plans of this magnitude. Hoyt had not yet opened Langford's envelope.

"I think it's important for people to have ownership to buy into his administration and his ideology of doing things," Hoyt said. "It's just the right thing to do. We have to, as a council, do our due diligence with any new initiatives."

E-mail: jbryant@bhamnews.com

© 2007 The Birmingham News

© 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.

[Tigermike 3,055]

Larry Langford has never seen or heard of a tax he didn't like.

On last nights news they reported that the Birmingham school system was required by law to have a $20 million emergency fund on hand a all times. Currently the fund is $14 million short. That after there have been tax hikes in the past four to six years and the money was to be ear marked for education.

[RunInRed 16,492]

Larry Langford has never seen or heard of a tax he didn't like.

On last nights news they reported that the Birmingham school system was required by law to have a $20 million emergency fund on hand a all times. Currently the fund is $14 million short. That after there have been tax hikes in the past four to six years and the money was to be ear marked for education.

What's the 20M emergency fund for? Does any other state require this?

The problem with Alabama residents is they want nice things but don't want to pay for them. Then we wonder why we rank 49/50 in almost every major statistical category. Yet Rick and Bubba can't wait to brag about how we have the lowest taxes in the nation. I think we have a lack of communication here.

[AFTiger 282]

The state requires all school systems to have one month's operating expenses in the bank. Birmingham school problems are deep and long understood. Birmingham has failed to address the problems. They seem to view education as a jobs program and not an education system.

State advises city to close 20 schools

Falling enrollment, revenue cited

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

MARIE LEECH

News staff writer

The state Department of Education is recommending Birmingham close at least 20 city schools - nearly one-third of the system's 65 operating schools.

Declining enrollment and declining revenues require the action, Craig Pouncey, assistant state superintendent of administrative and financial services, told the Birmingham Board of Education on Tuesday.

The system has been struggling financially for years. Now, a new state law requires school systems have at least one month's operating expenses in a reserve account. For Birmingham schools, that means $19.5 million, but the system has $2.8 million in reserves and needs another $16.7 million, Pouncey said.

Birmingham schools have 28,393 students this year - a loss of 1,343 students from last year - but operate 65 schools that have a capacity of 42,901, Pouncey said. By comparison, the Jefferson County system, which has almost 8,000 more students, has 54 schools, and Shelby County, with 26,488 students, has just 35 schools.

School systems are funded based on enrollment, so Birmingham will lose nearly $9 million next year in state and federal funds, Pouncey said. To make up the difference and meet the fiscal accountability law, the system must eliminate $25.4 million from its $250 million annual budget, he said.

"This board endured a lot of crying and gnashing of teeth this spring, but it only closed two schools, one of which was an alternative school," Pouncey said. "It doesn't take a genius to figure out what will happen next year."

Birmingham schools have lost an average of 1,000 students per year for several years. This year, enrollment declined at almost every school in the district and all except three schools have enrollment below their capacity. Sixteen schools operate at less than 50 percent of their capacity and 19 schools have fewer than 300 students.

The dwindling enrollment leaves the board no choice but to consolidate its schools, city school officials have said.

This spring, the board closed five schools - three of which weren't operating but were still being maintained by the system - and laid off 427 employees. The system later rehired hundreds of those employees after others retired and left the system.

Arthur Watts, chief financial officer for Birmingham schools, told the board he also was concerned about the economy and how it will affect the system.

"The subprime mortgage rates and the stock market have been very volatile," he said. "The revenues collected in October were 13 percent less than the revenues collected last October."

Before drafting a school consolidation plan, schools Superintendent Stan Mims said he is waiting for a report from Gude Management, a firm the board hired to draft a master plan for the district.

The plan, to be ready in the next two weeks, will include data projections through 2017 along with a capacity analysis and projected enrollment for each school.

The Birmingham Board of Education will hold a work session on Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. to discuss the Gude report.

"Gude Management does a good job," Pouncey said. "They studied Baldwin County and missed the projected enrollment last year by four students. Hopefully that audit will give you a template."

Some board members were frustrated with the financial condition of the system, asking why they have to make such severe cuts year after year.

"We have tightened our belts, had a reduction in force and closed schools," said board member Virginia Volker. "When will this change?"

Watts said until the district's enrollment stabilizes, "we are going to have problems."

Board member April Williams asked for a comprehensive, long-term plan, something board members have been asking Mims to draft for months.

"And I want to look beyond local schools and see what else we can cut," she said. "Specifically, administration."

E-mail: mleech@bhamnews.com

Birmingham is more than an entertainment district. Birmingham today reflects the consequenses of corrupt and inept government. Bad schools and corruption in city hall have driven out those who seek to educate their children and run a business. Raising sales taxes and doubling business licenses will increase the cost of doing buisness in Birmingham and accelerate the flight from Birmingham.

[Tigermike 3,055]

Larry Langford has never seen or heard of a tax he didn't like.

On last nights news they reported that the Birmingham school system was required by law to have a $20 million emergency fund on hand a all times. Currently the fund is $14 million short. That after there have been tax hikes in the past four to six years and the money was to be ear marked for education.

What's the 20M emergency fund for? Does any other state require this?

The problem with Alabama residents is they want nice things but don't want to pay for them. Then we wonder why we rank 49/50 in almost every major statistical category. Yet Rick and Bubba can't wait to brag about how we have the lowest taxes in the nation. I think we have a lack of communication here.

I would say the problem is that Alabama residents hear the politicians jabber on and on about taxes need to be raised for this and that, the tax will be only for a certain number of years and the tax money will be earmarked for education, roads, (take your pick) then the money raised somehow disappears. Education is still lacking, the roads are still a mess and there is no indication that the politicians intend to let the tax be stopped.

Langford has grand ideas and his funding always starts with raising taxes. No mention of using the current monies better. No mention of stopping graft, theft, misuse and just plain loosing the money.

When he was mayor of Fairfield, Langford built Vision Land for around $20 - 30 MILLION. Then when it was obvious that the project would never make money they sold it for $5 MILLION. (Or there abouts).

The great domed stadium that Langford and John Rodgers are demanding be built has been voted down by a good majority of voters in Birmingham and Jefferson County, at least once maybe twice.

Oh and speaking of John Rodgers, Representative (somewhere here in Birmingham). He was instrumental in the Alabama legislature voting themselves a huge pay raise this past year. HUGE PAY RAISE, with NO VOTE by the people of Alabama. Rodgers has just this week said he intends to introduce legislation in Montgomery to allow the City of Birmingham and the county commission to raise the salary of the mayor, City counsel and the County Commissioners WITHOUT a vote of the people.

We don't wonder "why we rank 49/50 in almost every major statistical category", we wonder why more of the thieves are not in prison.

[RunInRed 16,492]

I am all for the efficient use of tax dollars. But I'm also not naive enough to think that corruption is the cause of all our problems.

[AURaptor 1,126]

What's B-Ham need with a domed statium ? There are no professional teams there. Hoping to steal the SEC CG back from the GA Dome ? Good luck w/ that one !

[RunInRed 16,492]

What's B-Ham need with a domed statium ? There are no professional teams there. Hoping to steal the SEC CG back from the GA Dome ? Good luck w/ that one !

I think it's more about economic development than it is a sports venue. To say the current facilities are inadequate is quite the understatement. The question then becomes...what do you build? Do you build a 20-40k seat "arena" that could solve the problem for now....or do you build a "dome" with position of looking towards the future? I kind of liken it to the analogy of building a 2 lane highway now when you might have to expand it to 3-4-5 lanes later. The only problem is, the "arena" can't easily be expanded...so in the long run, some believe it would be cheaper to build it right the first time.

I'm in favor of the dome approach...but not sure about the best way to finance it. Ideally, some one from the private sector would step up but that's not going to happen. I do think it is in the public's best interest and something the county/city/state should finance. Now we can argue all day long about how to do that.

As far as sports goes, I'm not sure we'd ever get the SECCG back (although with a first class facility we could sure make a run at it - doesn't the basketball tournament alternate venues???) but we certainly would increase our chances for NCAA regionals, we'd sell out the Magic City Classic, SWAC Championship Game, AHSAA championship games, bigger concerts/shows, conventions, maybe a good bowl game one day?, maybe big college games at "neutral site", and who knows - maybe a pro team isn't out of the picture one day down the road.

Again, I'm choosing to be hopeful and optimistic about Birmingham because I love this city and I for one will always be supportive of efforts that try to make it great again.

[AFTiger 282]

[RunInRed 16,492]

For those who wanted efficiency in the current budget before any new proposed taxes, here you go:

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford calls for employee cuts to pay police, fire raises

Posted by JOSEPH D. BRYANT November 21, 2007 6:26 AM

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on Tuesday proposed cutting the city government's work force by almost 13 percent within four years to pay for police and fire department raises.

Langford told the City Council that cutting 450 of the city's 3,500 positions would save $60 million a year once the jobs are eliminated.

That's an average of $133,333 per position. Langford didn't say what, other than salary and benefits, the savings might include.

The mayor said he wants to make the cuts mostly through attrition, the process of not filling positions when they become vacant. He didn't specify departments from which the jobs would be cut.

Langford presented the job cuts as a way to pay for a commitment the council made before he took office.

The city must find money to give police and fire department workers raises after the council approved them, then won a court battle with former Mayor Bernard Kincaid over who had the authority to grant the raises.

That year-long legal fight finally was settled by the Alabama Supreme Court.

Step changes in salary mean yearly pay increases of as much as 15 percent for some entry-level employees and 5 percent for most other workers for the next three years.

In his 2008 budget, Kincaid gave a 4 percent pay increase to all city employees. Kincaid had opposed the larger raises, saying they would devastate city finances.

When the court sided with the council, the city had no plan in place to pay for the larger raises. A city study showed the raises will cost the city more than $65 million over the next 10 years.

"We're talking about a court decree that this city entered into," Langford said.

Council President Carole Smitherman said she will meet with Langford to propose a study evaluating all city departments to determine the best way to reduce the work force.

Smitherman said simply counting on retirement-eligible employees to leave their jobs isn't enough.

"That's based on people eligible to retire, not persons who said they were going to retire," she said. "I don't think you can count that money unless you talk to the individual employees. We need to put an incentive program in place."

Councilman William Bell said he also wanted to see more options for raising the money.

Langford has proposed raising the city's sales tax and business license fees to support several initiatives, including a domed stadium. Part of that money would be used to enhance the police and fire departments.

"If the city is to move forward with increases in sales tax and other financial tools, we should re-evaluate the mayor's proposal to have a reduction in staff based on funds that would be generated," Bell said.

E-mail: jbryant@bhamnews.com