The City of Birmingham is in a time of unprecedented investment in our community. Our economic outlook is strong and we have already dedicated $60 million from a budget surplus to invest in our people, neighborhoods and facilities. We are leveraging the more than $140 million provided by the Biden-Harris administration’s American Rescue Plan Act to make an impact in our community. Let’s not forget the opportunities that remain from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and our aggressive efforts to land federal grants to support our neighborhoods. My proposed operating budget combined with these additional funding resources will provide an opportunity for us to invest in our shared priorities, enhance our current efforts and position Birmingham for continued growth.
This $554 million dollar budget enhances our laser focus commitment on neighborhoods and our youth, builds upon our momentum in public transportation like never before and strengthens our efforts to competitively recruit in the public safety sector. All of this while funding the services the city provides to our residents and businesses.
Read Mayor Woodfin’s complete budget message here.
Key Budget Points
Proposed Operating Budget Total: $554,805,617
Appropriations to city departments: $464,375,563
Investing in Neighborhood Revitalization
Street Paving: $15 million (up $2.5 million from FY 2023)
Sidewalks: $200,000 (combined with surplus carry over of $875,000)
Weed Abatement: $2 million (combined with surplus carry over of $1.25 million)
Demolition: $1 million
Land Bank Authority: $500,000
Recycling: $300,000
Traffic calming: $250,000
Investing in Youth
Birmingham Promise: $2 million
Birmingham City Schools (Mental Health Services Support): $1 million
BHM Financial Freedom financial literacy: $1 million
Conflict resolution through Common Ground H.E.A.T. Curriculum: $1 million
Kids and Jobs Program: $210,000 (Department of Youth Services)
Investing in Public Transportation
BJCTA fixed route service: $11 million
Birmingham Xpress bus rapid transit: $3 million
Birmingham On Demand powered by VIA: $2.5 million
Investing in Employees
5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Fire and Police
Merit Pay (5%) available for 2,555 eligible employees
Longevity Pay available for 1,875 eligible employees
City will fund 4.75% of an 8.75% increase in healthcare benefit costs
Pension contribution: $39.6 million for R&R, $13.3 million for F&P
Contribution to Fire and Police Supplement Pension: $4.8 million increase
Capital Improvements
Department of Public Works deferred maintenance: $3 million
Rolling stock: $5 million
Upgrades for 24 of 32 fire station dorms: $1.3 million
Notable
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute capital improvements: $1 million
Ruffner Mountain: $250,000 (up $25,000)
Red Mountain Park: $250,000 (up $25,000)
Vulcan Park: $525,000 (up $50,000)