City spending big for New Year's celebration

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - In a little more than two weeks the City of Mobile will ring in a new year with an old problem - a lack of funding. That's why city council woman Bess Rich voted against spending more than $27,000 on fireworks for the New Year's Eve celebration.

"I am hearing so much about budget restraints. I would like to be consistent in supporting revenue that provides city services. It is my position and [the position] of my office," said Rich. "But I wish the program much success."

Rich stood alone. City Council President Reggie Copeland said the $27,500 is a drop in the bucket for what the city of Mobile gets in return.

"This is a good way to reach out and spend money to make more money. I'm sorry your district and your office doesn't feel that way, but I do, 100 percent," said Copeland.

Fred Richardson called the MoonPie Drop a revenue generating event. He said the city has to spend money to make money.

"Cities [are] threatening to close. Prichard is one of them. Name one event they have had. If we don't put on generating revenue events, we are going down," said Richardson.

Richardson said before the MoonPie drop, it spent $40,000 on fireworks with 500 people expected to attend.

City spokesperson and Executive Director of Administrative Services Barbara Drummond said last year the Moon Pie Drop attracted people from 14 states, and local hotels were full or nearly full.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones supported the spending and sponsored the agenda item for the council meeting.

"Local government must play a role in stimulating the economy, and this really stimulates our economy. We partnered with RSA to bring this here and stimulate our economy ... That's what cities do," said Jones.

Keep in mind, Mayor Jones is asking for more of your hard-earned money. He wants to reinstate the penny sales tax.

There was no mention of the proposed penny tax increase during Tuesday's city council meeting.

Last week, the city's finance committee met for the first time since the Mayor proposed the sales tax increase to fill what he calls a hole in the 2012-2013 budget.