Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process for looking at those concerns and determining whether something should be done and what measures may be appropriate. Traffic calming is not simply putting in a speed hump or adding a sign. It is a process that uses traffic data, engineering standards and input from several City departments to look at what is happening on a street before deciding what, if anything, should change. It starts with a resident submitting a traffic calming request identifying the location and concern. City Engineering reviews the request and collects traffic data so the street can be evaluated using the City’s standards. If the request continues through the process, it receives additional review from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee. Planning, Traffic, Police and Fire also have an opportunity to look at the request. That is important because a possible solution has to consider more than vehicle speed. Things such as the street itself, pedestrian safety, traffic patterns and emergency response can all be part of determining whether a particular measure makes sense. The mayor and the councilor representing the area also review the request before it can advance to the resident petition stage. If the location qualifies and the request continues, affected residents take part in the petition process required by the City’s traffic calming policy. Only after those steps and required approvals are completed can a location move toward an appropriate traffic calming improvement. The goal is not to assume every traffic concern has the same answer. One street may have different conditions and needs than another. The process gives the City a way to collect information, hear from the people who live in the area and determine whether a traffic calming measure is appropriate and safe. Submit a Traffic Calming Request Visit Traffic Calming Page

A city budget is more than a list of numbers. It’s a vital infrastructure that reflects the City’s priorities and determines how resources are used to provide services, support employees and invest in the community. On September 28, the Homewood City Council approved the City’s FY2027 budget. The General Fund is approximately $77 million and supports the day-to-day services residents rely on. Sales and property taxes provide much of the revenue, while personnel costs account for approximately $42 million. The approved budget adds three police officer positions and includes investments in street paving, stormwater projects, sidewalk repairs, replacement vehicles and equipment, and other infrastructure needs throughout the City. In addition to the revenue that supports City operations, one cent of Homewood’s sales tax is dedicated to the Homewood Board of Education. That penny is expected to generate approximately $11.5 million for Homewood City Schools this year. This was the first budget developed under Homewood’s new council-manager form of government. City Manager Cale Smith worked with department heads to identify operational needs and priorities and presented a proposed budget to the City Council. Council members then reviewed the budget through a series of public budget hearings, asked questions and made revisions before approving the final budget. The work does not end with this vote. The City plans to provide monthly reports on revenues and expenditures throughout the year, providing a clearer picture of the City’s financial position on a regular basis. City leadership will also continue evaluating ongoing expenses and revenues to work toward a sustainable budget that provides the services residents expect while responsibly managing the City’s resources. View the September 28 meeting below. View Approved Budget

Pre-Council Meeting - SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 17, 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.

BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

Pre-Council Meeting - SEPTEMBER 14, 2026