MADISON — Mayor-elect Ranae Bartlett says her priorities for Madison will center on strengthening education, addressing traffic and infrastructure challenges, and managing growth responsibly as she prepares to take office next month.
Bartlett, who will be sworn in as mayor on Nov. 3, said continuing to invest in Madison’s school system remains a top priority.
“One of our goals for the city of Madison is to continue to invest in our outstanding public education system and see that it continues to flourish,” Bartlett said in an interview this week.
Infrastructure, she said, will also be a major focus for her administration.
“Traffic is one of the major concerns of our residents,” Bartlett said. “Getting federal and state funds to help support infrastructure projects is another priority.”
Bartlett said she wants to ensure Madison grows “responsibly,” balancing residential expansion with new commercial development.
“We want to add to our commercial tax base to offset all of the residential growth that continues to happen,” she said.
Transition and new City Council
Bartlett’s administration will begin alongside a City Council that includes six new members, a major turnover for the city.
“We’re very excited to have them and to help them orient to City Hall,” Bartlett said. “Yesterday, we spent half a day with different department heads coming in, meeting with council members, and helping them understand what their departments do and what their responsibilities are as council members.”
She said the council has already received an overview from the city attorney on the Open Meetings Act and the process for setting agendas, along with briefings from Madison Utilities and other city departments.
Regional partnerships
Bartlett also emphasized the importance of continuing Madison’s strong working relationships with neighboring governments in Madison and Limestone counties, as well as the city of Huntsville.
“North Alabama has had a lot of success in getting state dollars and attracting economic growth because Madison County, Huntsville city, and Madison city have worked together,” Bartlett said. “We want to continue that partnership and work together.”
Bartlett said she has already met with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and plans to meet with Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon next week.
She noted that maintaining partnerships in both Madison and Limestone counties will be vital since Madison’s city limits extend across county lines.
“Limestone County leaders have also reached out,” Bartlett said. “It’s important for both counties to work together as we reside in both.”
Bartlett was first elected to the Madison City Council in 2020. Before joining the council, she spent nearly a decade on the Madison Board of Education, including terms as president and vice president.
She won the mayor’s seat with more than 55% of the vote in the August municipal election.
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