Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - May 19, 2026: FY2027 Budget Presentation and Adoption of Consent Agenda
Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - May 19, 2026
The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on May 19, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers. Mayor Randall Woodfin presented the proposed $615 million FY2026-2027 operating budget, which includes increased funding for neighborhood revitalization, public safety, youth programs, and employee compensation. The Council unanimously approved a resolution setting a public hearing on the budget for June 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM, and adopted the consent agenda and several other items. The meeting adjourned at 10:34 AM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from February 3–24, 2026; minutes not ready for March 3–May 12, 2026.
- Approved resolutions for alcohol license transfers (Star Food Mart, PK Groceries, Retro, LA Catrina, Ralphs Listening Room, ArMoney’s).
- Granted an Operating Authority Permit with one Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience to On The Mark, LLC for non-emergency medical transport.
- Authorized abatement and removal of six inoperable motor vehicles (Mercedes Benz, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Celica, Cadillac Escalade, GMC van, Buick Enclave) as public nuisances.
- Approved a $50,000 CDBG forgivable loan to Honeycutt Jr. Enterprises, LLC for façade improvement at 5812 1st Avenue North.
- Authorized an agreement with HouseProud Atlanta Inc. for up to $50,350.75 to implement the District 6 Housing Rehabilitation Program.
- Approved a $5,000 agreement with Jefferson County Greenways Foundation for maintenance of Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve.
- Authorized repurchase of property at 4626 Avenue V from Black & White Photography, Inc. for $25,000.
- Allocated $3,500 (amended from $2,000 with an additional $1,500 from District 7 discretionary funds) to Grace Club CDC for back-to-school supplies.
- Declared 62 structures as unsafe public nuisances and ordered their demolition (properties listed in agenda items 24–85).
- Accepted bids for city-wide demolition of condemned housing: Bostic Trucking & Excavating, Inc., CJ’s Ventures, LLC, Cornerstone Roofing, and Swanson Enterprises, Inc. dba S/C Construction.
- Amended Resolution No. 155-26 to remove 1700 Slayden Avenue from weed abatement assessment due to owner proof.
- Approved payments: $36,293.55 to EBSCO for library books; $13,713.00 to H3 Mechanical LLC for VFD drive repair at Negro Southern League Museum; $21,983.50 to Wittichen Supply Co. for HVAC parts; $25,374.41 to Jefferson County Health Department for permit fees; $10,266.75 to Mayer Electric for smoke alarm batteries; $41,665.33 to Midwest Tape for digital library access; $17,050.00 to Williams Fire Apparatus for three fans.
- Approved itemized and advanced expense accounts for appointed/elected officials and city employees.
- Declared 262 properties as having noxious weeds and set a public hearing for June 23, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rob Burton (1907 5th Street South) and Donald Smith, representing the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), presented a resolution requesting:
- Increase the neighborhood fund line item (031-TERFRS) from $198,000 to $990,000 per year (0.16% of the FY2027 budget).
- Add a $5,000 line item for travel expenses for NUSA Board members.
- Reinstate funding for neighborhood flyers.
- They requested meetings with the Council and Mayor’s staff to further discuss these proposals.
Discussion Items
- FY2026-2027 Budget Presentation (Mayor Randall Woodfin): The proposed $615 million operating budget focuses on:
- Neighborhood revitalization: $19.3 million combined for street paving ($12M), weed abatement ($3M), demolition ($1.5M), traffic calming ($500K), and critical home repairs for seniors ($1.53M).
- Youth and education: $2 million for Birmingham Promise, $1 million for mental health in schools, $1 million for conflict resolution, $625,000 for Safe Havens, $500,000 for Youth Sports League, and additional funds for Cradle to Career.
- Public safety: Doubled community violence reduction funding to $3 million; increased Black Male Initiative funding to $500,000.
- Homelessness: Doubled funding to $3 million for housing strategies, plus $800,000 in CDBG funds.
- Transportation: $11.5 million for BJCTA (increase of $500,000), $3 million for express BRT, $2.5 million for microtransit, $300,000 for ClasTrain.
- Employees: $10 million for salary adjustments (merit/longevity), additional $5 million for health benefits, one-time $500 premium pay per full-time employee. Employees will see up to $32/paycheck increase in health insurance premiums (employer absorbs 79% of healthcare costs).
- Deferred maintenance: $1.5 million additional for city facilities.
- Resolution Setting Budget Public Hearing (Item 1): Councilmember Smitherman introduced Resolution No. 1003-26 setting the public hearing for June 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers and online via WebEx.
- Item 9 – Junk Dealer’s Permit for IQAP dba EZ Pull N Pay: Planner Roger Glore confirmed the condition (resurvey of two lots) was satisfied. No public speakers. Council voted to approve.
- Item 18 – Interlocal Agreement with Birmingham Airport Authority: Councilmember Williams moved adoption of Ordinance No. 26-56 authorizing a three-year agreement for Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services to manage airport fire station and provide aircraft rescue/firefighting services. BAA will reimburse fully burdened salary and overtime costs. Adopted unanimously.
- Withdrawn Items: Items 16 and 17 (ordinances amending parking fines and administrative adjudication) were withdrawn at the Mayor’s request.
Key Outcomes
- The FY2026-2027 proposed budget was officially presented and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for June 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
- The consent agenda (Resolutions 1004-26 through 1100-26) was adopted unanimously (8-0).
- Resolution No. 1101-26 (Junk Dealer’s Permit for IQAP dba EZ Pull N Pay) adopted unanimously (8-0).
- Ordinance No. 26-56 (Interlocal Agreement with Birmingham Airport Authority) adopted unanimously (8-0) after unanimous consent for first reading.
- Items 16 and 17 were withdrawn.
- Public comment from CAB will be considered during budget deliberations; no immediate vote taken.
- Next regular council meeting and further budget discussions will follow the public hearing.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, Toby, we're ready. You might have found another shit. Good morning, Birmingham. Today is Tuesday, May nineteenth, twenty twenty-six. The time is nine forty. I call to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today's invocation will be led by Reverend Dr. Tyree A. Anderson, Pastor of First Baptist Church Insley, and I will be leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. If you're willing and able, please stand and join us. But Lord, they are in order here in Birmingham. And we thank you for our council leaders. We thank you for the committees. God, we especially thank you for our mayor. God, we pray right now that they will continue to receive insight, revelation, and vision from you to lead this city in order that we might continue to be a light on the hill. We pray now that you will bless the residents of Birmingham. You will bless our law enforcement agencies. God, you will bless every person from high office all the way down to grass cutter. That God, they will know that you are with this city and with this council. We give you glory in the name of Jesus, and we ask, Amen. Thank you so much, Dr. Anderson, for that very thoughtful prayer. At this time, Madam Clerk, if you will read the call. Read the call. Read the role. Thanks, ma'am. Councilmember Guy. Good morning. Good morning, Councilmember O'Quinn. Good morning. Councilmember Smith. Good morning. Good morning. Councilmember Smithman. Good morning, Councilmember Vasa. Good morning, Councilmember Williams. Councilmember Woods. Council President Pro Tim Tate. Good morning. Good morning and Council President Alexander. Good morning. Thank you very much. Councillors, a motion and a second is needed to approve the minutes from the previous meetings of February 3rd through February 24th, 2026. So move. Second. All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. All right, thank you. Those minutes are approved.
openpublica.com