In his recent State of the City Address, Mayor Paul Finley announced that Madison stands strong and continues to grow stronger, citing healthy finances, top-ranked schools, and a shared community vision.

“I think every mayor in every city in a nation hopes that they truly could say what I have the honor of being able to say as mayor, and that is that the state of Madison, Alabama, is strong, and it continues to get stronger,” Finley said.

Finley gave the State of the City address Oct. 24, during the third annual Celebrate Madison event at the Trash Pandas stadium. The family-friendly event, hosted by the Madison Chamber of Commerce, included free food vouchers to the first 300 attendees, activities on the concourse, and fireworks.

During his speech, Finley outlined the city’s solid financial footing, which includes a high bond rating, and emphasized the city council’s support of maintaining a savings account for emergency reserves. These efforts, Finley said, enable Madison to keep up with growth while continuing to invest in public safety, infrastructure, and the community.

Finley noted Madison City Schools as a point of great pride for the city, being recognized for excellence statewide and nationally. Safety, also, remains a top priority for Madison, with resources dedicated to police, fire, and cybersecurity.

Reading from the city’s mission statement, Finley said, “The city of Madison is in business to provide excellent services through the responsible use of public resources, enhancing the quality of life for our community.”

This mission statement, created in 2016 with input from the city council and department heads, guides Madison’s efforts to maximize the impact of taxpayer dollars.

“Simply put,” said Finley, “we take the revenues that you give us – taxes – and we try to stretch those as far as we can to make the most positive impact for you and the community.”

One of those areas the city is investing revenue for the good of the community is improving traffic flow through and around the city. Finley said Madison’s long-awaited interchange at Town Madison is scheduled to open in early 2024, aiming to improve traffic flow and alleviate congestion near I-565. Additional projects, including the six-lane expansion of I-565 from Wall Triana to County Line Road and collaborative efforts to improve Slaughter Road, also promise to ease commutes for Madison’s growing population.

Finley highlighted Madison’s sense of community and shared purpose.

“We’re all moving in the same direction,” Finley said, “and the multiple entities that help work and manage Madison all know what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Finley concluded by talking about Madison’s partnership with the Trash Pandas, calling it a calculated risk that is now paying off. According to Finley, in 2023 the stadium generated about $3.6 million annually through ticket sales and a lodging tax, covering its $3.1 million bond payment and bringing more than 100 non-baseball events to Madison each year.