Statement from the City of Homewood on Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts Review
Statement from the City of Homewood on Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts Review
January 10, 2025, Homewood AL- The city of Homewood has reviewed the Limited Special Review by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts of the city’s financial system concerning both the use of city credit cards and a separate fraudulent misappropriation of funds by a former city employee. The city was the first to discover both issues and quickly began taking steps to improve Homewood’s oversight of its accounting system.
“Just after we initiated our deeper dive and discovered troubling shortcomings in the control of city finances, we started the process of strengthening our policies,” said Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt. “We have already met with the state examiners and appreciate their work because their recommendations will help us continue our efforts to make sure our finance department works more securely so that expenditures of public funds are properly tracked in strict adherence to sound business and audit standards.”
The city was the to first to uncover suspicious movements of city funds after Robert Burgett retired as Finance Director in March 2024 and immediately reported them to local, state, and federal authorities. While an FBI investigation continues, Burgett is now awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to three federal charges of wire fraud. Insurance has covered $500,000 of the more than $947,000 that Burgett illegally transferred into his personal accounts. The city is diligently working to recover additional monies.
In October 2023, the city council started a review of the use of city credit cards by city employees after possible irregularities were uncovered. Substantial personal reimbursements have already been made to the city. The city is conducting a review of an outstanding financial obligation of approximately $1,300 by an employee. Former Finance Director Burgett, who conducted the illegal wire transfers is also responsible for almost $10,000 in disputed credit card charges. Both credit card cases are being referred by the state auditors to the Alabama attorney general for collection.
In November 2023, the city council voted to strengthen policies on the use of city cards, which include:
- A reduction in the number of cards in use.
- Cards can only be used for official, pre-authorized, city expenditures and not for any personal expenditures, cash advances, or alcohol purchases.
- Cards can only be used for eligible travel costs, including conference registration and associated fees, lodging and transportation. Meals are limited to $75 a day with fully itemized receipts.
- Cards are not intended for purchases that can be made via normal purchasing procedures, except for emergencies or purchases personally authorized by a department head or the mayor.
- Card purchases will be audited by the finance department on a monthly basis.
- Infractions of the credit card policy can lead to disciplinary action and recovery of funds through a reduction in employee paychecks.
- Professional management oversight of the city was strengthened last September when voters approved a new form of government by creating the new position of city manager to take over chief executive duties in November 2025. The city has already started a search for an interim manager who could start in March.
“A full-time city manager will bring an experienced professional in public administration with budget management skills and significant supervisory experience to the city,” said Walter Jones, president of the Homewood city council. “This is a meaningful step as the city council continues to review financial issues to assure that taxpayer dollars are correctly spent in an accountable manner.”
You can also read more about Homewood's finance director making recommendations to safeguard assets HERE.
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Golf Carts Are Not Allowed on Public Roads in Homewood The Homewood Police Department has received reports of both children and adults driving golf carts on public roads. We want to remind all residents that traditional golf carts are not street legal under Alabama law and may not be operated on public roadways in Homewood. Children are never permitted to drive golf carts on public streets, under any circumstance. There is an important difference between golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs). What Counts as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) in Alabama? To qualify as a legal LSV, the vehicle must: Be registered with your county and display a valid tag Be insured, just like a standard vehicle Include required safety features (seatbelts, headlights, mirrors, turn signals, child restraints if needed, etc.) Be operated by a licensed driver age 16 or older Only be driven on roads where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less Properly registered and insured LSVs that meet these criteria may be driven on public roads in Homewood by licensed drivers. For everyone’s safety, please follow these rules and talk to your children about the dangers and legal restrictions of operating golf carts on streets.
Council Meeting June 9, 2025 Agenda: https://bit.ly/3Hx7xoy Meeting schedules & archives: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Summary: Samford University withdrew all rezoning and development plans tied to its proposed Creekside District projects. The city approved contracts for Fire Station No. 1 and design work at 185 Oxmoor Road, along with support for Jefferson County's Safe Streets grant and a zoning amendment allowing drive-thrus only in Wildwood Center. A new Field Plans Examiner role was approved, and hearings were set for the U.S. 31 tunnel, Bulldog District plan, and Oxmoor Road traffic calming. Expanded: Item 09.04.25: Rezoning request for 1601 Parkview Lane and 600–601 University Park Place as part of Samford University’s proposed Creekside District West. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 10.04.25: Final development plan for the same property under the Creekside District West proposal. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 11.04.25: Rezoning request for 1891, 1919, 1921 South Lakeshore Drive, and 1100 University Park Place under the Creekside District East plan. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 12.04.25: Final development plan for the Creekside District East properties. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 16.05.25: Contract with MBA Engineers for concrete slab design at Fire Station No. 1. Approved Item 17.05.25: Contract to provide engineering design services at 185 Oxmoor Road and fund transfer. Approved Item 18.05.25: Set bid date for U.S. 31 tunnel improvements for July 8 at 3:00pm. Carried over Item 19.05.25: Field Plans Examiner position was discussed and recommended for approval. Approved Item 21.05.25: Resolution supporting Jefferson County’s Safe Streets and All Implementation Grants. Approved Item 22.05.25: Survey funding for a right-turn lane on Cobb Street. Approved Item 13.05.25: Zoning amendment to allow food and beverage drive-thrus only in Wildwood Center. Public hearing was held and the change was approved. Approved Item 10.05.25: Bid opening for Homewood Library Interior Finishes Phase 3 was scheduled for June 10. Carried over Item 35.04.25: Public hearing on traffic calming system for Oxmoor Road set for July 14. Carried over Item 37.04.25: Homeowner at 214 Edgewood Blvd was approved to keep planted trees in the right of way with indemnification. Approved Item 10.05.25: Public hearing set for June 23 for Samford University’s Bulldog District residential plan at 800 Lakeshore Drive. Carried over Item 10.06.25: Request for right-of-way work in front of the Trak Shak was added to the agenda and referred to Special Issues Committee. Carried over Item 08.06.25: Approval of city vouchers from May 20 through June 9. Approved Item 09.06.25: Establishment of an ad hoc committee to plan the 2026 Homewood Centennial Celebration. Approved For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.
Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) Highlights June 5, 2025 SV 25.06.01: This was for three variance requests from Samford University for three new residence halls. These projects aim to help meet the university’s 75% on-campus residency goal, which has grown harder as enrollment increases. Samford requested height variances up to 52.5 feet, explaining that building up rather than out helps preserve green space. City staff explained how Samford’s development plan, which is separate from this request, had been reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission, with a final public hearing scheduled for Monday, June 23, before the full city council. Ultimately, the board approved one of the three height variances (for Stadium Village) and denied the other two (West Village East and West). SV 25-06-02: This item was for a privacy fence built atop a retaining wall that slightly exceeded height limits. Despite neighbor support, that variance was denied. SV 25-06-03: This item was for a new three-foot picket fence for safety on a corner lot; this request was approved. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3HHlAru Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.
The City of Homewood is making big changes to Oxmoor Road between Dale Ave. and Evergreen Ave., in front of Dawson Baptist. The project will remove the center turn lanes, currently in place, to add 29 new parallel parking spaces on both sides of the street. This stretch of Oxmoor sees heavy foot traffic and a lot of cars, especially near the Edgewood business district. Narrowing the lanes will help slow down vehicles and make the area safer for people walking, dining, and shopping. Work is expected to begin mid-June and take less than a month, weather permitting.
Finance Highlights June 2, 2025 Members approved contracts for engineering work at Fire Station One and the former Waffle House site, supported hiring a new plans examiner, and backed a $4.4 million Safe Streets grant for future sidewalk projects on Oxmoor, Valley, and Salter. A right-turn lane survey for Cobb Street was also approved. Several items were carried over for more information. Agenda: https://bit.ly/450JlEJ Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.
This is NOT a change to Amwaste's garbage and recycle schedule! This is only for debris and trash you normally place at your curb once a week. Our Public Works department has moved to a 4-day, 10-hour workweek. This change lets crews get more done by reducing time lost to setup and breakdown. It’s also helping with employee satisfaction and recruitment. Starting Monday, June 2 , pickup routes will follow a new schedule based on our updated four-ward map . Every resident is still covered, just be sure to check to see which day is yours. Check the updated map and find your pickup day with the button above:
Every year, thousands of crashes happen between civilian vehicles and first responders. These collisions can be devastating, not just to the public, but to the emergency personnel risking their lives to help others. Up to 25% of firefighter deaths in the line of duty are caused by vehicle accidents. Many of these are preventable tragedies. That’s why Fire Chief Brandon Broadhead is committed to doing everything possible to keep that number at zero in Homewood.
Council Meeting Highlights, May 19, 2025 Nothing major, mainly just procedural items. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4j9Fcl2 Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.
Finance Highlights May 19, 2025 44.04.25: Samford's development team provided an explanation of the proposed Community Investment Program (CIP) tied to the Creekside "West" project. Unlike traditional tax incentives that support single projects, this CIP is meant to fund major infrastructure needed for a large mixed-use development. They stressed that the private sector—not the city—would take on the financial risk, including $140 million in upfront infrastructure costs. In return, they’re seeking a capped rebate over 20 years totaling up to $26 million from lodging, sales, and property taxes (excluding school taxes). They emphasized community benefits like boosting school funding, walkability, environmental stewardship, and long-term quality of life. The agreement must still be finalized, and the item was carried over for further review in committee. 07.05.25: The committee heard requests from three businesses seeking forgiveness for late penalties on their business license renewals. The first business owner explained she missed several years of payments due to serious post-COVID health issues and staff issues. They agreed to pay all fees and interest, and the committee voted to waive penalties and interest if all payments are made within 30 days. The second business asked for forgiveness on a one-time penalty due to a change in ownership and a software transition. Since they had already paid the license fee, the committee voted to waive their penalty and interest. The third company had a large penalty and was noted to be a repeat offender. They did not waive this penalty. Agenda: https://bit.ly/43hNLo5 Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.
The City of Homewood has purchased the property at 185 Oxmoor Road—the site where the old Waffle House sat empty for years in West Homewood. The building has been an eyesore for a long time. City leaders say the deal came together quickly, prompted by the city pressing with legal action against the previous owners. The sale now allows Homewood to take immediate control of the site. The plan? Parking! With new restaurants and businesses opening nearby, parking is in high demand. The city expects to level and pave the back area of the existing lot to expand capacity and better serve the growing activity in that part of town. Demolition is expected to start almost immediately.