Chamber Hosts 2024 State of the City Forum

The Chamber’s State of the City Forum was held on April 30 at the DoubleTree by Hilton. With over 285 in attendance, City Council President Pro Tem Carlton McMasters, Councilman Kyle Pike and moderator Wade Weaver with Adams Beverages discussed several topics from business and residential development to quality-of-life improvements and infrastructure projects ranging from the recreation center at Wilson Morgan Park and the Tennessee River bridge feasibility study.

"If you really think about it, we are very fortunate to have the Tennessee River and the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, with a city almost in between,” said Councilman Pike. “We’ve got to capitalize on that and want to be known for recreation and a high quality of life. It takes a lot to do that— a lot of dollars and a lot of effort— but we need to keep that as a focus as we look at all these other projects."

McMasters and Pike said the city’s fiscal budget is up to $93.7 million as the City Council is using a needs-based budget with excess funding going to an unassigned account that allows the council to deal with the city’s unbudgeted needs.

McMasters highlighted a recent $1.5 million investment in loader trucks and upgrades to the transfer station, improving the speed garbage and large-load pickups.

“Garbage trucks, loader trucks — we’ve got to always keep maintenance and replacement at the forefront,” said McMasters. “Our directors always have a wish list that’s a mile long, and it’s going to be dictated by budget and revenues and how things go.”

Councilman Pike also expressed his gratitude to City department heads and staff for implementing their vision. Thank you to Pastor Jerry Baker for providing the invocation and Genesis Pascual Sebastian, a kindergartener from Benjamin Davis Elementary School for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Gateway Commercial Brokerage and gold sponsors Huntsville International Airport and United Launch Alliance.