Mobile Council Battles Over Budget

After nearly four hours of debate and three contentious votes, Mobile's city council finally passed a city budget.

Council Member Connie Hudson amended the Mayor Sam Jones' original proposal to include $115,000 for the Senior Bowl on the condition that the game would agree to stay in Mobile five more years. Hudson's amendment also allocated $85,000 for Saenger Theatre in Downtown Mobile.

"Dangle that carrot and see if they will go with it and give us that long term commitment," said Council President Reggie Copeland, who along with Council Members Gina Gregory and John Williams voted for the Senior Bowl funding.

The line item in the Mayor's proposed budget allocated the money to a sporting investment, but did not say what events would get the cash. Hudson's amendment disappointed supporters of the Gulf Coast Classic who hoped they would be the recipient.

"We've danced around this long enough," said Williams, rejecting the idea of giving the Classic additional funding over the Senior Bowl. "It's time for us to be committed to the number one sports event in this city."

Senior Bowl officials would not say Tuesday whether they would take the money, and agree to the new contract, but Hudson called it a "good faith effort" to show the city's commitment to the game.