BERLIN, Ala. – Mayor Patrick Bates opened the monthly session of the Berlin Town Council on Monday, July 21. The meeting commenced with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Donald Gunter.
The first order of business concerned filling Place 2, which was left vacant after Councilman James Sanford resigned June 30. Steven Michael Clark was the sole nominee and was voted in unanimously. Clark was sworn in by Town Clerk Keirstyn Montgomery, and began fulfilling his duties during Monday’s council session.
Aug. 26 Berlin Municipal Election
Candidate Edith Stevenson, who was running unopposed for Place 3, received her certificate of election. She will officially begin Nov. 3, after Councilman Tony Duke’s term ends. Duke opted not to run for re-election.
Incumbents Mayor Patrick Bates, Councilman Donald Gunter (Place 1), Councilman Don Bates (Place 4) and Councilman Keith Hardman (Place 5) were also unopposed and their elections certified.
Since certificates of election have been issued for all five council members and the mayor, there will be no municipal election in Berlin. However, there will be a special election the same day.
Aug. 26 State House District 11 General Election
This special election for the seat left vacant by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, who resigned back in February to join the staff of Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, will see Republican Heath Allbright face off against Democrat Alexandria Braswell.
Learn more about each candidate at www.facebook.com/VoteHeathAllbright and www.facebook.com/braswellfor11.
In other business:
- Bates discussed moving utility lines with a concerned resident – plans for a new culvert and waterline to help divert water from County Road 1614 are in progress, pending approval from the Cullman County Water Department.
- Bates and the council discussed the anticipation of the 2026 fiscal year budget, with the mayor asking the council to begin thinking of ways to spend and save funds to best serve the community before setting the budget later this year.
- Montgomery suggested a change in accounting software to a system that can handle fund accounting opposed to a system solely focused on public accounting. Bates suggested installation after the beginning of the new fiscal year. The motion was tabled for the time being.
- Contractors for the Berlin Farmers Market project updated the council, notifying them that blocks for the bathroom should arrive the last week of July and the project should be back on schedule.
The next meeting of the Berlin Town Council is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Berlin Town Hall.
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