BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

At the September 14th Pre-Counci l meeting, the City Council received an independent organizational and staffing assessment conducted by MGT. The study is intended to provide information and recommendations for the City to consider as it continues improving its operations. The study is not an adopted plan, and no decisions were made as part of the presentation. Its recommendations will serve as a resource for City leadership to consider as they develop a multi-year approach to organizational improvements. MGT reviewed staffing, department structure, reporting relationships and work processes. The firm also interviewed department heads, surveyed employees and compared Homewood with peer communities. The assessment identified strengths within the organization, including employee culture and supervisor support, as well as opportunities to improve coordination, clarify responsibilities and better align related functions. The study also includes recommendations related to organizational structure and staffing. Those recommendations will require additional review of workloads, service levels and operational needs before any changes are made. The report specifically recommends considering vacancies, attrition, organizational realignment and changes in how work is performed as part of that process. Some recommendations align with work already underway, while others may be modified, considered in future years or not pursued. The organizational study provides a roadmap for discussion. The City will determine what ultimately makes sense for Homewood.

Pre-Council Meeting - SEPTEMBER 14, 2026

The Board of Zoning Adjustments approved variance requests for 1409 Ardsley Place and a new covered front porch at 109 Edge View Avenue. The board denied a request at 104 Edgewood Boulevard to allow 57.92 percent impervious lot coverage, but staff agreed to work with the homeowners on possible repairs and screening that could meet the code. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4gnRpor

BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

Work begins Tuesday, September 8 on ALDOT's US 31 Access Management Project between Old Montgomery Highway and Ventura Avenue. While this work is taking place in Homewood, this is a State of Alabama project being coordinated by ALDOT. Most of the work will be done during overnight hours, so this should not disrupt normal daily traffic. But drivers should expect some changing traffic patterns. The project includes upgraded traffic signals, changes to reduce conflict points and crashes, new sidewalks, ADA compliant curb ramps, pedestrian signals, and safer crossings. The total construction cost is approximately $3.3 million, funded primarily through a $1.96 million ATRIP II grant awarded by the State of Alabama, with the City of Homewood contributing approximately $1.36 million as required through the grant agreement. View entire project and images: https://bit.ly/4w9VvVu

The City Council reviewed a proposed process and evaluation form for the city manager’s six month and annual performance reviews. The Council will take up the procedures during Pre-Council on September 14, then entered executive session to discuss the potential redevelopment of an existing commercial property. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4ynxYlK

The Planning Commission approved two property resurvey requests along Oxmoor Road, including one that could support parking for a future redevelopment at 184 Oxmoor Road. A request for 215 West Valley Avenue and the case involving 832 Green Springs Highway were carried over to the October 7 meeting. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3SsbhNX

2027 Budget - Where Does the Money Come From? The City Council will begin reviewing the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget on Tuesday, September 8 at 4:00pm. The hearings will give the Council an opportunity to examine the proposal fund by fund, make adjustments and determine the City’s priorities before considering the final budget, Monday, September 28. During this first budget hearing, the City Manager will present updates to the overall budget and discuss revenue available to support it. One important source is sales tax. Broken down, that sales tax looks like this: Four cents go to the State of Alabama. Two cents go to Jefferson County. Four cents go to the City of Homewood, and then within that: One penny is dedicated to the Homewood Board of Education. One-quarter penny supports capital projects. The remaining City sales-tax revenue supports other City needs. In the proposed budget, each penny is expected to generate approximately $11.57 million. That estimate matters. If sales tax collections are higher or lower than expected, it can affect how much the City can spend. The Council will consider City’s estimated revenues, how much money should be kept in reserve and what level of spending can be sustained long term. The presented General Fund is approximately $77.9 million, but that number will change based on information gathered since the presentation on August 10th. The Council will also make changes throughout the hearing process. The proposed budget was prepared under Homewood’s new council-manager form of government. Under the new process, the City Manager develops and presents a proposed budget, and the City Council reviews, revises and ultimately adopts the final spending plan. All budget hearings are open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded. Additional hearings are scheduled to begin at 4:00pm on September 15, 17 and 21, with September 24 reserved for a final hearing if needed. The Council plans to consider adoption of the FY27 budget on Monday, September 28. Fiscal Year 2027 begins October 1. All figures remain proposed and are subject to change until the City Council adopts the final budget. Complete Budget Hearing Schedule

Please join us in welcoming Aspen Collins as Homewood’s new Finance Director. Aspen brings more than 20 years of local government experience to the City. She most recently served Mobile County as Deputy Finance Director and Deputy County Administrator. She has also served as Finance Director for the Tuscaloosa and Bessemer housing authorities, along with roles as Finance Director and City Manager in two Nashville suburbs. We are glad to have Aspen bring that experience to Homewood and look forward to the work ahead.