Mayor Woodfin Prioritizes Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety in Recommended Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Mayor Randall L. Woodfin prioritizes street resurfacing, sidewalks, traffic calming, and more funds for blight reduction in recommended budget amendments presented to the Birmingham City Council's Budget and Finance Committee today.

"The spending plan presented to the council highlights our shared priorities," Mayor Woodfin said. "I am proud of the more than $20 million dedicated specifically to neighborhood revitalization in this plan."

The amended budget would increase sidewalk spending to $1 million, double funding for traffic calming measures, and add $1.25 million more for the demolition of blighted structures and weed abatement. Street resurfacing remains the largest single item for neighborhood revitalization with $15 million in the mayor's plan.

In addition, the mayor proposes a 3% COLA for all employees, as well as funding to support merit and longevity pay for eligible employees. City employees will not see any out-of-pocket increase for their healthcare or pension contributions.

The mayor's amended budget maintains the administration's annual commitment to education with $2 million for Birmingham Promise and $1 million for the Birmingham Board of Education. The early childhood education initiative Small Magic, formerly Birmingham Talks, receives $250,000 from the spending plan and continues funding for financial literacy and conflict resolution in Birmingham City Schools, the Safe Haven program for youth in Birmingham Parks and Recreation, and juvenile justice efforts with Jefferson County Family Court.

Public safety has been prioritized with a nearly $16 million police recruitment and retention program recommended by the mayor and approved by the council in October. In addition to recruitment and retention bonuses, the program funds a take-home-vehicle initiative for officers, part-time reserve officers, and pre-academy hiring. On top of the $16 million police recruitment and retention program, the police department budget increased from $115 million to $124 million to support the cost of living adjustment, merit pay, and additional services to enhance public safety.

The mayor's recommended spending plan to the council would amend the budget for the current fiscal year which began on July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025.

Mayor Woodfin's Recommended Budget Amendments Include:

FY2025 runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.