OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Budget Hearing – September 3, 2025

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, September 3, 2025
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, September 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:00:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:18

Anybody have anything to say or ask before we get started.

0:27

Mr.

0:28

District Attorney, we're gonna allow recently pregnant ladies to Elsie, come on up.

0:36

So how long do I get to carry that title?

0:40

That's it.

0:41

This is the five, the final time.

0:43

There's no more mileage there.

0:48

I think we're doing more than the first year.

1:17

So I just wanted you guys to have that for information.

1:21

But I do very much appreciate the opportunity to have just a few minutes of your time this morning.

1:26

Um I actually will be very quick.

1:28

I am not here necessarily to ask for more money, but I am here to advocate for but I am here to advocate for the additional $50,000 that the city council approved for us last year.

1:44

Um so I want to really quickly highlight kind of what our current situation is.

1:48

So on the screen, you see what our fiscal year 2025 operating budget is.

1:53

The proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget is just slightly higher than that.

1:58

This is to help us do everything that we need to and have on our roadmap for 2026, and then the current situation is uh we're at we we have about 1.8 committed.

2:09

This is not just the city of Tuscaloosa, there's still some unknown around City of Northport.

2:14

We all know that there's a lot of change happening there, and then Tuscaloosa County as well.

2:18

So that $200,000 is not obviously just the city of Tuscaloosa, but I wanted you to have a full picture of kind of what our current situation is and kind of that deficit we have to get to that proposed two million dollar budget.

2:31

Um the additional kind of part of this that again most people wouldn't know, but a couple of years ago we were challenged to spin down some of our reserve account.

2:40

We have done that.

2:41

We updated our policy around that.

2:44

We have to, much like the city we approved where we want to have 20% of our operating budget in our reserve account.

2:51

So we've spent that down to where we are right about 20%.

2:54

So we do not have the opportunity anymore to go into the reserve and pull money out.

2:59

So again, all of that is kind of playing into the situation for this next fiscal year.

3:05

Again, what I'm here to ask for today is not increased funding.

3:09

I very I'm very aware of the situation, but what I am asking for is your consideration to move that fifty or to add that fifty thousand dollars that uh city council approved last year back into our budget for this next fiscal year.

3:22

We sat here a couple of years ago and talked about how we do want to invest more in tourism, and this just kind of gives you a picture of what uh the city council has helped us do over the last four or five years.

3:33

So again, the goal is right now what is presented is that 1.371903.

3:39

What we had from the city of Tuscaloosa was that 1.4 million dollar number.

3:44

So it is a difference of $50,000.

3:46

The only other thing I want to call here, and I put it in the notes too, is in fiscal year 2024, between that 2023 and 2024 season, uh, you did vote to move 85,000 out of the city council's outside services budget line into our agency funding line.

4:00

I'm sorry, say that again.

4:02

So you guys, when we were going through the budgeting process and you were advocating for that additional 85,000 that year, instead of adding it as a special allocation to the budget, you voted to move it out of council's out.

4:17

And you put it into our budget.

4:20

I know, I know.

4:21

But what it does allow us to do, or it did allow us to do that one year was to not have to come back to you asking for those additional dollars again.

4:29

So um that has been kind of our challenge the last four or five years that we have had this opportunity from the council is that we are having to come back each year advocating for that 25,000, that 50,000 or that 85,000 dollars each year.

4:42

Does that make sense?

4:43

I want to make sure I'm okay.

4:46

Um, so I just wanted to again fiscal year 2024, that change happened, and that is the one year where we did not have to come back asking for that particular uh funding again.

4:57

Okay, excuse me.

5:00

We did give the $50,000 from the council money to them last year.

5:03

We gave 80 million 50 last year.

5:06

50 last year.

5:07

85 was not last year that wasn't.

5:09

You know, the year before.

5:10

85 was we set aside for ourselves.

5:13

Right.

5:14

Not ourselves.

5:16

Yeah, you're the council.

5:17

External services.

5:18

Yes.

5:19

Uh we were at the end of our that year, it was not it was not gonna be used, and so we did that.

5:27

And again, the mayor's budget last year was a slight increase, and so I do want to acknowledge that as well.

5:33

And that's again where the council agreed on that $50,000 increase last year rather than 85.

5:41

So I do want to answer the question: if we get it, what happens?

5:44

So if we get the full, you know, request that we're asking from the city of Tuscaloosa, in addition to if it comes to fruition with the city of Northport and the county, what we're asking for.

5:54

Um, it's really very simple.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████████31%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████████████20%
Arts And Culture██████████████████18%
Tourism███████████████15%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Economic Development███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Budget Hearing – September 3, 2025

The Tuscaloosa City Council held a budget hearing on September 3, 2025, to hear funding requests from several city agencies for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Presentations were made by Visit Tuscaloosa, the District Attorney's Office, Theater Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. Discussions focused on current funding levels, operational needs, staffing challenges, and the impact of upcoming changes such as the conversion to the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA). No formal votes were taken; the council will consider the requests during budget deliberations.

Visit Tuscaloosa Presentation

  • Kelsey Rush, Executive Director of Visit Tuscaloosa, presented the agency's funding request. The organization is the county's destination marketing organization with nine staff members.
  • Rush asked the council to restore $50,000 to the budget that had been added by the city council the previous year. The proposed 2026 operating budget is $2 million; current committed funding from all sources is about $1.8 million. The city of Tuscaloosa's share is currently $1.371 million, a $50,000 difference from the $1.4 million requested.
  • Rush emphasized that the agency has spent down its reserve account to the required 20% level and cannot dip into reserves further. Without the $50,000, the agency would have to cut day-to-day operations, including travel, trade shows, and tourism business development.
  • Rush highlighted recent successes, including a new brand campaign "Think Where Legends Are Made," a new website, a partnership with PR agency Lou Hammond Group, and significant event bids (e.g., a major sporting event to be announced, a bid for the Savannah Bananas' "Party Animals" baseball event).
  • The agency reported that in 2024, its events generated at least $1.4 million in tax revenue for the community, including $600,000–$700,000 in lodging tax.
  • Council members expressed strong support, noting Visit Tuscaloosa is one of the few agencies that generates revenue for the city. Councilman Busby stated he views the request as level funding, not an increase.

District Attorney's Office Presentation

  • The District Attorney (name not provided in transcript) presented a dire funding situation for the office, which prosecutes all felony and juvenile cases in Tuscaloosa County, including within the city.
  • The office has a total budget of $3.9 million, of which 89% is payroll. Only 29% of funding comes from the state; 38% comes from court costs. The projected shortfall for 2025-2026 is $486,000 assuming level funding from local governments.
  • The DA requested an additional $295,000 from the city of Tuscaloosa (on top of the existing $100,000) as part of a $500,000 total local shortfall, allocated based on each jurisdiction's share of violent crime (59% from the city).
  • Staffing is critical: the office has only five lawyers for four felony courtrooms (should have eight). One lawyer is leaving due to pregnancy, another likely to take a judgeship. Five new hires have been made but must pass the bar; they will be inexperienced. The office currently has no reserve account.
  • The DA compared local funding to other high-crime circuits: Jefferson County provides over 8 times the funding with 2.12 times the caseload; Montgomery provides 5.25 times with less than 60% of the caseload.
  • Consequences of underfunding include canceled jury weeks, delayed cases, defendants remaining on the street, and reputational harm. The office operates a diversion program (Second Chance) with zero outside funding and has maintained a current grand jury since 2017.

Theater Tuscaloosa Presentation

  • Adam Miller, Managing Director, requested a modest increase from $15,000 to $20,000 in city funding, the first increase in 20 years.
  • Theater Tuscaloosa has a $343,000 annual budget. Earned income (tickets, tuition) covers 48%; contributed income (grants, sponsorships, donations) covers 52%. The city's $15,000 is less than 5% of the budget.
  • The theater produces five shows per season (55th season in 2025-2026) and educates youth. It has 380 subscribers and sells about 6,000 individual tickets annually. A study showed 5,000 patrons came from 90 cities and 21 states over the past year.
  • Miller noted that production costs exceed ticket revenue (e.g., Anastasia cost $9,000 to produce but brought in $60,000 in revenue, netting a loss of $9,000). City funding helps keep ticket prices affordable (top price $26).
  • A council member commented that arts and entertainment are important for quality of place and economic development.

Tuscaloosa Police Department Presentation

  • Chief Blankley reviewed the department's staffing and budget. The department is authorized for 265 sworn positions, currently has 244 filled (21 vacancies, 13 in training, 4 on leave). Non-sworn positions (93) are nearly fully staffed.
  • The mayor's recommended budget is $46.9 million, a 6.7% increase. Key drivers: the consolidation of police and fire dispatch under police (14 fire dispatchers moved), increased lease payments for body cameras and Peregrine contract ($127,000), and capital outlay for drones ($135,000).
  • Chief highlighted the drone program (4 pods installed, two more by month's end) and the upcoming conversion to RSA on October 1, 2026, which is expected to improve recruitment and retention. The retention bonus (3.2 million over two years) recently expired, but only one officer left as a result.
  • Chief estimated that 15 officers might retire in the first year of RSA, but the department hopes to attract experienced officers from other agencies. Overtime is at 77% of budget with two home football games remaining; a test pilot program to reduce overtime is showing positive results.
  • Council members noted the strategic financial issue of funding 20 vacant positions ($3.5 million) that creates salary savings used for capital purchases. The mayor cautioned against cutting FTE lines too deeply.

Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Presentation

  • Chief presented the department's budget as level funded. The total budget shows a decrease of $395,971 primarily due to the transfer of fire dispatch to police.
  • Staffing: 266 personnel total, 232 line personnel (on trucks), 23 staff. The department faces a potential loss of up to 60 personnel on the first day of RSA conversion, including six of eight battalion chiefs.
  • The chief requested an increase of $253,000 for travel and education to address training gaps, especially for specialty teams (hazmat, urban search and rescue, swiftwater). Without training, the state will not reimburse for regional responses.
  • The department has a list of 49 eligible candidates but must maintain high physical standards (CPAT test). The chief emphasized that taking care of current employees is the best recruiting tool.

Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra Presentation

  • Natasha Perine, Executive Director, asked the council to restore funding to the 2021 level of $25,025 (currently $21,700). The $3,325 increase would be used to expand free student programming.
  • The symphony has grown its audience 80% over three years, reaching 18,416 people last season (10,000 students). The city's current support yields a 44:1 ROI ($1 million returned to the community).
  • The requested increase would fund an additional free Young Persons Concert, reaching 1,000 more students at a cost of $3.33 per child. All school programs are free.
  • Council members noted the symphony's role in attracting international business (e.g., Mercedes executives) and its July 4th free concert.

Key Outcomes

  • The council heard all presentations and expressed general support for the agencies' missions, particularly for Visit Tuscaloosa and the District Attorney's Office. No formal votes were taken.
  • Councilmembers indicated that the $50,000 request for Visit Tuscaloosa is viewed as level funding, not an increase.
  • The council will continue budget deliberations and consider the requested amounts in the final budget adoption.

Meeting Transcript

Anybody have anything to say or ask before we get started. Mr. District Attorney, we're gonna allow recently pregnant ladies to Elsie, come on up. So how long do I get to carry that title? That's it. This is the five, the final time. There's no more mileage there. I think we're doing more than the first year. So I just wanted you guys to have that for information. But I do very much appreciate the opportunity to have just a few minutes of your time this morning. Um I actually will be very quick. I am not here necessarily to ask for more money, but I am here to advocate for but I am here to advocate for the additional $50,000 that the city council approved for us last year. Um so I want to really quickly highlight kind of what our current situation is. So on the screen, you see what our fiscal year 2025 operating budget is. The proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget is just slightly higher than that. This is to help us do everything that we need to and have on our roadmap for 2026, and then the current situation is uh we're at we we have about 1.8 committed. This is not just the city of Tuscaloosa, there's still some unknown around City of Northport. We all know that there's a lot of change happening there, and then Tuscaloosa County as well. So that $200,000 is not obviously just the city of Tuscaloosa, but I wanted you to have a full picture of kind of what our current situation is and kind of that deficit we have to get to that proposed two million dollar budget. Um the additional kind of part of this that again most people wouldn't know, but a couple of years ago we were challenged to spin down some of our reserve account. We have done that. We updated our policy around that. We have to, much like the city we approved where we want to have 20% of our operating budget in our reserve account. So we've spent that down to where we are right about 20%. So we do not have the opportunity anymore to go into the reserve and pull money out. So again, all of that is kind of playing into the situation for this next fiscal year. Again, what I'm here to ask for today is not increased funding. I very I'm very aware of the situation, but what I am asking for is your consideration to move that fifty or to add that fifty thousand dollars that uh city council approved last year back into our budget for this next fiscal year. We sat here a couple of years ago and talked about how we do want to invest more in tourism, and this just kind of gives you a picture of what uh the city council has helped us do over the last four or five years. So again, the goal is right now what is presented is that 1.371903. What we had from the city of Tuscaloosa was that 1.4 million dollar number. So it is a difference of $50,000. The only other thing I want to call here, and I put it in the notes too, is in fiscal year 2024, between that 2023 and 2024 season, uh, you did vote to move 85,000 out of the city council's outside services budget line into our agency funding line. I'm sorry, say that again. So you guys, when we were going through the budgeting process and you were advocating for that additional 85,000 that year, instead of adding it as a special allocation to the budget, you voted to move it out of council's out. And you put it into our budget. I know, I know. But what it does allow us to do, or it did allow us to do that one year was to not have to come back to you asking for those additional dollars again. So um that has been kind of our challenge the last four or five years that we have had this opportunity from the council is that we are having to come back each year advocating for that 25,000, that 50,000 or that 85,000 dollars each year. Does that make sense? I want to make sure I'm okay. Um, so I just wanted to again fiscal year 2024, that change happened, and that is the one year where we did not have to come back asking for that particular uh funding again. Okay, excuse me. We did give the $50,000 from the council money to them last year. We gave 80 million 50 last year. 50 last year. 85 was not last year that wasn't. You know, the year before. 85 was we set aside for ourselves. Right.

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