2019 Birmingham budget

The 2018-2019 Birmingham budget includes the operating budget for the City of Birmingham for the fiscal year July 1, 2018–June 30, 2019 as well as a capital projects budget.

Mayor Randall Woodfin publicized "highlights" from his budget proposal at a meeting of the Birmingham City Council on April 25, 2018.

Woodfin's proposed budget

Woodfin proposed an operating budget of $436 million, an $8 million (1.87%) increase over the $428 million 2017-2018 budget which was approved for 2017-2018 on December 12, 2017.

According to his April 25 presentation, Woodfin's budget includes a 1% cost of living adjustment for city employees and an increase in contributions to the city's pension fund. The cost of these would be offset by eliminating 133 unfilled positions and reducing overtime costs. He proposed to invest in a preventative maintenance program as part of an overhaul of operations and to require budgets and audits from all city-funded boards and agencies.

Additional funds for neighborhood revitalization would support the demolition of unsafe structures, more weed abatement, better street cleaning, and the expansion of street lighting, ShotSpotter and other public safety infrastructure. Woodfin also proposed a "Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity" and a neighborhood revitalization fund to support economic activity at the neighborhood level.

Woodfin's proposal offset the planned investment in neighborhoods with the elimination of discretionary funding given to individual neighborhood associations. He also reduced or eliminated funding for numerous agencies and independent organizations that have provided services to the city under contract, including REV Birmingham, the Birmingham Sister City Commission, and Bridge Ministries. In some cases, those agencies rely on the city's funds to qualify for federal grants. Woodfin's office later explained that funding for economic development services, while not budgeted as direct outlays, may still be available for specific contracts.

Council deliberations

The Birmingham City Council held a public hearing on the budget proposal on the evening of Monday, May 14.

References

• Edgemon, Erin (April 25, 2018) "Birmingham mayor cuts 133 vacant jobs, saving $4.7 million in 2019 budget." The Birmingham News
• Edgemon, Erin (May 14, 2018) "Birmingham neighborhoods ask for funding to be restored." The Birmingham News
• Edgemon, Erin (May 18, 2018) "Birmingham defunds some non-profit groups - for now." The Birmingham News

External links

• Budget Office at birminghamal.gov