A land bank that will help the city clear out derelict houses may be one step closer to reality.
The Selma City Council approved creating a Land Bank Authority in August, but it never got off the ground. Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III told the city council at their Dec. 9 meeting that he will bring them a proposal to make the land bank a reality.
The land bank will make it easier to buy tax delinquent and blighted properties by providing clean titles to them so they can generate tax revenue again. Clearing derelict, tax delinquent properties – of which there are many in Selma – stimulates economic development, stabilizes property values and removes blight, according to the ordinance.
Coincidentally, Selma resident Perry Kelly, who is renovating the former home of Rev. J.H. Patterson on LL Anderson Avenue, asked the council what could be done to tear down two burned homes in his neighborhood. He said one home had been derelict for a decade.
Moss told the city council that his staff is finalizing the budget. The new city council has been operating without a detailed budget since they took office in November. Some city council members said they weren’t willing to approve any major expenditures until they know how much money is in each account.
The city council agreed to review the latest audit, after which they will revisit hiring an accounting firm to conduct a more detailed forensic audit.
The city is audited every year, and the results are reported to the Alabama Examiners of Accounts. A forensic audit is different. City Councilman Clay Carmichael described it as a “deeper dive” into the city’s finances.
According to Investopedia.com, “a forensic audit examines and evaluates a firm’s or individual’s financial records to derive evidence used in a court of law or legal proceeding.”
The city council heard a proposal from a Birmingham firm to conduct a forensic audit in October 2024, but it too didn’t get off the ground.
Moss told the council he will bring them a proposal to work directly with the Alabama Department of Revenue to collect the city’s taxes rather than contracting with Avenu Insights and Analytics. Moss said that working with the state would save the city fees charged by Avenu.
The city council does not meet again until January unless there is an emergency.
Brad Fisher is Associate Publisher of the Black Belt News Network and Selma Sun. He can be reached at bfisher@kingfisher-media.com.
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