2025-26 Budget Info & Hearings
Budget Hearing Schedule
City Hall, 2nd Floor, South Conference Room
- Wednesday, September 3
- 5:00–7:30pm
- Departmental budgets for Police and Fire Departments
- Tuesday, September 9
- 5:00–7:30pm
- Departmental budgets for Engineering, Inspections, and the Library
- Thursday, September 11
- 5:00–7:30pm
- Departmental budgets for Public Works/Parks, Courts, and Traffic
- Thursday, September 18
- 5:00–7:30pm
- Departmental budgets for IT and Fleet
- Wednesday, September 24
- 5:00–7:30pm
- Departmental budgets for Admin/City Manager and Finance
- Thursday, September 25
- 5:00–7:30pm
- Revenues and General Fund (items not covered in departments), additional funds, and employee funding matters (COLA, bonuses, insurance, etc.)
- Monday, September 29 (if needed)
- 4:00pm
- Hearing to address any loose ends before budget approval at the council meeting that night
Proposed FY 2025–2026 Budget: A Closer Look
City Manager Glen Adams presented the proposed 2025–2026 budget, calling it one of the most carefully reviewed budgets in recent memory. City leadership at every level has been deeply involved throughout the process.
The plan is still a draft and will continue to be refined as new information comes in and during upcoming budget hearings. It is described as a balanced budget aimed at giving department leaders the resources they need so they can do their jobs without taking on unnecessary risks.
Key Budget Figures
- Total budget (all funds): $128.5 million
- Operational budget: $75.6 million, based on a 2% revenue increase and $3.32 million from carryover funds (last year’s was about $5 million).
- Capital expenditures: $21 million, with a new five-year capital improvement plan created.
- Personnel: Includes a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment, a 5% merit pay increase. through the Jefferson County Personnel Board, and tiered bonuses if surplus funds allow.
- Support for Homewood City Schools: $27.3 million, including $11.6 million from the one-cent sales tax and $12.4 million from the Board of Education trust fund.
Priorities Highlighted
- New Fire Station #2: Design work funded at $600,000 in this budget, with $10 million planned for construction from 2026–2028.
- Major Infrastructure & Traffic Relief: Divergent Diamond Project: $29.2 million partnership among city, state, federal, and county agencies to relieve congestion in West Homewood, described by Adams as “critical infrastructure” for future redevelopment and long-term financial stability.
- Fire Equipment: $750,000 for a fire truck ordered in 2023 (arriving late 2025), $2.8 million for a ladder truck due in 2029, and $350,000 for a mini pumper quick-response truck.
- Flood Prevention: 13 stormwater and creek wall projects totaling $2.18 million.
- Comprehensive City Plan: In partnership with the Regional Planning Commission, Homewood will invest $100,000 in a major planning process (matched by $400,000 from the commission). Adams described this as a way to shape a 20–30 year vision for the city, align future budgets, and foster true community dialogue.
- Debt & Investments: Plans are underway to refinance $24 million in outstanding bonds, with a potential savings of $725,000. The city is also consolidating accounts to secure stronger interest rates (up to 4.26%) and is transitioning banking services to Synovus.
- Fiscal Policies: Updated policies, last comprehensively reviewed in 2013, will be included with the final budget.
Next Steps
This budget is still proposed. It will be discussed in detail at public hearings beginning next week, with opportunities to provide input before the City Council takes a final vote. Check that schedule above.
Watch City Manager Glen Adams presentation below (12:12 Budget Brief Presentation)
More
Council Meeting August 25, 2025 The council meeting major actions included adopting a $128.5 million budget proposal with funding for a new fire station, fire trucks, stormwater projects, and the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Budget hearings will go over this proposal in detail over the next few weeks. Council approving $3 million in incentives for a redesigned Piggly Wiggly expansion, hiring a new audit firm, addressing Edgewood traffic safety, multiple nuisance property hearings, and improvements tied to the Dawson parking deck lease. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3JvRmZE
UPDATE: Council approved the $3M incentive plan, August 25 The Finance Committee reviewed a new tax incentive agreement tied to the long-awaited Piggly Wiggly redevelopment. The revised plan calls for rebuilding on the current site, which means the store will temporarily close during construction. The updated design adds more green space, provides a safer route for children using the nearby tunnel to school, improves traffic flow, and resolves earlier concerns about truck deliveries. Parking will also increase compared to today’s layout. Earlier this year, the store’s owners proposed building a brand-new location behind the current store. That plan raised concerns about traffic, loading docks, and pedestrian safety. After months of discussion, the developers scrapped that version and returned with a new design that many now see as a much stronger fit for the community. Because this plan is less expensive and slightly smaller than the original, the incentive request dropped from $3.5 million to $3 million. The committee voted to advance the incentive agreement to the full Council for a public hearing scheduled for August 25. After that, the next step is to go through the development plan process, starting in October, with the Planning Commission.
Finance - August 18, 2025 The Finance Committee advanced a $3 million tax incentive agreement for rebuilding Piggly Wiggly on its current site with added green space and safer pedestrian access, sending it to public hearing on August 25. The committee also approved funding and agreements for the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Committee reviewed a $127.5 million FY25–26 budget plan with $21 million in capital projects, authorized budget transfers for storm debris cleanup and paving, selected a new audit firm, and carried over a $310,940 business license penalty request. Agenda: https://bit.ly/47BSvbY
Council Meeting August 11, 2025 The council approved multiple contracts, leases, and licenses, including a parking deck agreement with Dawson Memorial Baptist, a library renovation design contract, and an ABC license for Seeds Coffee. Several public hearings were set for August 25 for nuisance properties, and a Piggly Wiggly plan, while the rezoning plan for the former police station site was dropped. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3V0BcK0
Mayor’s Statement on Jefferson County District Attorney Decision on June 23, 2025, Officer Involved Shooting August 6, 2025 "We have received the results of the District Attorney’s investigations into the shooting of Jabari Peoples. We note that the District Attorney found the “shooting is deemed justified” and that no criminal charges will be filed against the Homewood Police Officer involved in this matter. We can’t imagine the anguish of the Peoples’ family in the aftermath of this tragic event and hope the community will respect the District Attorney’s decision, which he says is based on the facts and the law." Alex Wyatt Mayor of Homewood
What started as an idea to turn Homewood’s long vacant, old police property, into a steakhouse and park, has now been pulled off the table. Developer Mike Mouron, who brought the concept forward, decided to withdraw his plan and financial support after facing public criticism and legal filings. The plan aimed to rezone the property at 1833 29th Avenue South from industrial to commercial, allowing for a restaurant and community green space. Mouron offered to fund the park portion of the property through the sale and personally cover any extra costs. Also targeted in the backlash, the City of Homewood had to respond to a lawsuit and dissolve a temporary restraining order. The City stood by how it handled the process. The judge agreed and ruled in favor of the city, dismissing the case with prejudice and ordering the plaintiff’s (Kevin Misso) bond to be forfeited. Despite the legal victory, after facing ongoing personal attacks, Mouron chose to withdraw his proposal and not pursue the project further. Even though it has now been withdrawn, by law, a public hearing will still be held, as advertised, August 11. The council will then officially close this item. Mayor Wyatt expressed hope that future city leadership will “figure out the best path forward” for a property that continues to sit idle. For more background: Committee Meeting February 17, 2025 From Jailhouse to Steakhouse Legal Filings Mayor Wyatt Announces Withdrawal
Finance - August 4, 2025 The committee approved dropping the Kenilworth Stormwater project and referred a large-scale lighting project to budget hearings. A representative from Recovery Resource Center presented a detailed proposal on using opioid settlement funds for assessments, training, and community outreach, which will be discussed further during budget hearings. The committee also approved a lease agreement with Navigate Wealth Management, authorized funding for UPS battery replacements, and approved design services for the library renovation Phase IV. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3U99gU6
Planning Commission August 5, 2025 The Planning Commission approved a request to replace the former Caster’s BBQ at 215 Lakeshore Parkway with a drive-thru-only Seven Brew Coffee stand, despite discussion over the building orientation facing away from the shopping center. The commission also voted to rescind its previous approval to subdivide the old police headquarters property since the rezoning plan was withdrawn , and announced there will be no September meeting due to lack of cases. Agenda: https://bit.ly/46MvnHy
Council Meeting July 28, 2025 Council covered routine business including approval of several resolutions and ordinances related to budget amendments, surplus property, stormwater diversion, municipal court staffing, and equipment purchases. Council unanimously approved Sanford University’s stadium housing project which is housing right next to their football stadium. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4f9rDBQ Meeting schedules & archives: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT
Finance - July 21, 2025 The Finance Committee approved a long list of budget-related items including surplus library equipment, a new municipal court prosecutor, and the final change order for the Kenilworth stormwater project, which finished under 10% of the original bid. Other approvals included money for a new pothole patching equipment and truck, various budget transfers for fire and police departments, setting an August 19 bid date for Green Springs Phase 2, and approving money for a city ad in the Chamber’s Centennial Map Guide. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4l1bbFm