After 30 years without doing so, the Garden City town council approved an incremental increase to the town’s sewer rates. The established plan would result in an annual increase of 5% over the following four years. Mayor Tim Eskew said that this increase was needed in order to maintain the town’s sewer system.

In April, after a year of taking ownership of the Garden City School the council decided to offer the building for salvage. Having previously toured the building Eskew deemed that the needed repairs were beyond the capabilities of the town.

However, at the next council meeting in May Dan Willingham and Nolan Bradford offered hope to landmark. Citing their love for historic buildings Willingham and Bradford presented the council with their willingness to purchase the property in order to maintain the exterior while renovating the interior to be used as an event venue. The council agreed to have the building appraised.

Residents of the town saw upgrades to their water meters in June. After receiving a $195,250 loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, the town replaced approximately 275 water meters as part of an ongoing project to improve the technology of the water system. Eskew said during June’s council meeting that despite the new equipment residents would not see an increase to their water bills.

The council continued these upgrades in July by requesting a $346,900 wastewater grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to replace three aerators, two baffle curtains and a generator at the town’s sewer plant. This grant would require the town to match 10% of the loan with $35,000.

The council also discussed the possibility of adding a Fall Festival to the town’s calendar following the success of the Freedom Celebration at Garden City Park in July.

After being placed on administrative leave at the August meeting, the town council unanimously voted to relieve Leslie Johnson and Shannon James from their positions of utility clerk and town clerk during the September meeting. Heath Meherg was appointed the town’s attorney. Amy Black was also officially hired as the town clerk.

In November, after a three-month investigation by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Ethics Commission, and District Attorney’s Office. James and Johnson were arrested and charged with the theft of more than $200,000 from the town by fabricating work time, making fraudulent credit card purchases, and fabricating work time. Jeremy Johnson –Leslie’s husband — was subsequently arrested and charged for receiving benefit from the theft due to the couple’s joint bank account.