Article Snip: "..."When a firefighter is hired he or she receives $12.51 per hour,” Huntsville Firefighter Association President Stephen Jones said. “When a police officer is hired he or she receives $18.54 per hour." Mayor Tommy Battle said it's not that simple..."
Article Snip: "...TIF stands for “tax increment financing,” and it works like this: The city wants to make improvements out in this area by the new Polaris plant. They can’t afford the upwards-of-fifty-million up front, so they issue bonds, basically borrowing money. All new property tax revenue inside the TIF district — from new development in the area — goes to paying that money back..."
Article Snip: "...Those jobs are all classified at Grade 23 – the top of the city government pay scale, with a previous salary range of $87,318 to $140,691. Effective Sept. 1, the new salary range will be $98,669 to $158,981 – an increase of 13 percent. Mayor Tommy Battle recommended the salary hikes..."
Article Snip: "...“This is almost economic development in its purest form,” Yarbrough said. “Property taxes that are being paid right now to the county and school system will continue to be paid to the county and school system. Industry will be paying for its own infrastructure improvements.”..."
