The three-year hike in Gardendale’s sales tax appears to be headed for an extension.

The Gardendale City Council heard the first reading Monday night of an ordinance that would extend the 1-cent increase through the end of 2017.

The hike, which boosted the city’s share of sales taxes to 4 percent and the overall rate to 10 percent, originally went into effect on January 1, 2012. The council passed the original hike to raise money for economic development.

The extension also cited economic development as one intended use for the additional revenue, but the first use listed in the new ordinance is the debt service — paying down the balance on bonds for the Civic Center and the Public Safety Center.

Like the original hike, the extension is scheduled to run for three years, unless the council approves another extension.

The ordinance will come up for a vote at the next council meeting on Nov. 17.

The council also approved the purchase of body cameras for the police department. The cameras, which are already in use by a few officers, will now be available for all of them. They record all interactions that officers have with the public.

“We’ve already had some situations where people have come with complaints, and we’ve asked them if they want to see the video. Then they say, ‘No thanks,’” Chief Mike Walker said.

The $7,029.80 cost will come from the city’s economic development account.

The council also approved the promotion of police officer Brian Odom to the rank of sergeant. He replaces Daryl Sutton, who retired from the Gardendale department and has taken a position with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The council also voted to give Sutton his service weapon as a retirement gift.

A new vending agreement with Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company was also approved. The agreement makes Coca-Cola the exclusive soft-drink provider for all events at city facilities. In return, the city will receive $12,000 in sponsorships, an electronic sign for the new city hall facility, and continued maintenance of electronic scoreboards at youth sports fields, among other benefits. One change for youth leagues that serve Coca-Cola products is that fountain service will end, and products will instead be sold in 20-ounce bottles.