The City of Hartselle is cutting its 2014-2015 allocation to Hartselle Beautification Association by 10 percent, but HBA director Carolyn Wallace said they will continue to offer the same services to the city.

The Hartselle City Council approved a revised contract with HBA at its meeting Tuesday night, which included a $4,620 reduction in funding from its previously approved allocation of $46,200.

Wallace believes her group will be able to maintain the same services with the new $41,580 allotment, but they will have to do it with additional donations from the community.

“We’re going to do what we can to continue to provide the same services,” Wallace said. “We’re going to have to make cuts and maybe work a little more efficiently than we have in the past. We’re also going to see if we can get additional donations to help with the funding.

Mayor Don Hall said the cuts were due to an across-the-board 10 percent cut for all city allocations for all organizations and charities. The lone exception was providing level funding for Terrell Industries, which is a non-profit organization in Hartselle that has employed special needs adults for 26 years.

“HBA is doing a good job,” Hall said. “It’s just something that we’ve had to do in this year’s budget.”

Some of HBA’s responsibilities include conducting local cleanup campaigns, maintaining the city’s welcome signs, providing community education campaigns on keeping the city clean and maintaining E.A.R.T.H. Park (mowing, cleaning and flowerbeds), the medians on U.S. 31 (mowing and trash collection) and flowerpots and landscaping in downtown Hartselle, at the William Bradford Huie Library and at Hartselle City Hall.

“Most of what we do goes right back into the city,” Wallace said. “During the peak time, we mow on Highway 31 once every 10 days, but we are constantly picking up trash seven days a week. It’s not uncommon that I’ll stop on the side of the road and pick up some trash if I see it while I’m out.”

Wallace said she has already received help from some association members and business owners to assist HBA with its duties. Several of the businesses on Railroad Street have agreed to help with the upkeep of the large flowerpots.

Kristin Hannah of Hannah’s Landscaping is assisting with the upkeep of flowerpots at city hall. Other businesses have donated landscaping supplies and money while volunteers have given their time to assist Wallace with the upkeep responsibilities.

“We’ve had a lot of community support, but we still need more,” Wallace said.

Hall said he would like to use HBA to help maintain new landscaping that will be installed in the U.S. 31 medians and at both Hartselle exits on I-65. The city is obliged to maintain the landscaping as part of receiving the landscaping grant.

“Their first proposal was too much, but that included the mowing,” Hall said. “I think the city can handle the mowing and watering part, but it would make sense for HBA to be able to maintain the plants, shrubs and tree. That’s up their alley and I’d love to work with them on this project.”