1 hour ago
1
The Birmingham Times
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a $615 million Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget recommended by Mayor Randall L. Woodfin that focuses on investments in neighborhoods, youth, public safety, public transportation, homelessness services, and the municipal workforce.
Mayor Randall Woodfin“I want to thank the Birmingham City Council for their vote in support of this $615 million budget,” Mayor Woodfin said in an interview with the Birmingham Times following the vote. “I think this budget is consistent with where our priorities have always been — neighborhood revitalization, which includes investing in our city’s infrastructure, public safety, and a large commitment towards supporting Cradle to Career and education opportunities for our children.
The FY2027 budget builds on the city’s $31.8 million surplus investment plan approved in March, which accelerated funding for infrastructure, neighborhood improvements, and community priorities.
Neighborhood Revitalization
More than $19 million has been allocated for neighborhood revitalization initiatives. Woodfin, speaking specifically about the $12 million for street resurfacing, said that residents will see these dollars at work in their communities as soon as this year.
“We already have a list,” he said, “and out of 99 neighborhoods, literally almost a third, 30 of them will see paving in the calendar year 2026.”
Additionally, for the first time, the city has used the general fund to increase the budget for critical home repairs, a popular program that supports the city’s elderly residents.
“So, it’s not just about removing that blighted structure here or cutting this empty lot here for that existing homeowner,” Woodfin said, “but allowing her or him to get some additional support as relates to the exterior of their home, whether it’s their porch or paint. This is a big deal for our seniors.”
Neighborhood revitalization initiatives include the following:
- $12 for street resurfacing
- $3 million for weed abatement
- $1.5 million for demolition and blight removal
- $1.53 million for critical home repairs
- $500,000 for traffic calming
- $300,000 for recycling
- $200,000 for the Façade Improvement Program
Cradle to Career
Woodfin’s Cradle to Career strategy continues to be central to his administration, and the FY2027 budget reflects this focus. The approved budget continues the city’s Cradle to Career strategy through investments in expanded youth and education programs, including:
- $2 million for the Birmingham Promise
- $1 million for mental health support in Birmingham City Schools
- $1 million for financial literacy curriculum in Birmingham City Schools
- $1 million for Common Ground conflict resolution programming
- $625,000 for the Safe Havens Initiative
- $500,000 for the Birmingham Youth Sports League
- $500,000 for the Black Male Initiative
- $500,000 for Cradle to Career initiatives
- $210,000 for Kids and Jobs programming
“Being sworn in in November, when this third term started, we centered the entire acceptance speech around how to support and show up for our children,” Woodfin said.
Public Safety and Violence Reduction
Woodfin views public safety as part of the city’s commitment to children.
The FY2027 budget prioritizes public safety with increased support for violence intervention and re-entry programming, including:
- $3 million for Community Violence Intervention programs, a $1.5 million increase
- $450,000 for the RESTORE Youth Re-entry Initiative
- Continued support for conflict resolution programming in Birmingham City Schools
Homelessness Reduction
In addition to approximately $800,000 annually in Community Development Block Grant support, the budget also calls for $3 million for services for the unhoused – a $1.5 million increase from the previous budget.
“Last year’s budget was the first time out of the general fund we put money towards addressing homelessness separate from the Community Development Block Grant dollars,” Woodfin explained. “Our Community Development Block Grant dollars for our unhoused strategies usually hover around 900,000, close to a million dollars, but in this budget that’s now been approved, there’s $3 million to support and engage our homeless community, our unhoused strategy, and execute on how we find a way to be very intentional about reducing residents who don’t have housing. We believe part of this additional funding is going to allow us to leverage and partner with other organizations that are doing the work, and our job is to deploy more resources toward the organizations that can put a dent in and decrease homelessness.”
Public Transportation
With the new budget, more than $17 million has been allocated for transit services and accessibility initiatives, including:
- $11.5 million for the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority
- $3 million for the Birmingham Xpress Bus Rapid Transit system
- $2.5 million for Birmingham On Demand microtransit
- $300,000 for ClasTran
Investing in City Employees
The city will invest in its employees through salary adjustments, healthcare support, and premium pay. Approximately $10 million has been allocated for salary adjustments, including merit and longevity pay increases; more than $5 million in additional healthcare investments; and a $500 premium payment for all active full-time employees.
Woodfin said the city council’s support of the budget, “represents our shared values and reflects our combined commitment to building a Birmingham where every neighborhood can thrive, every young person has the opportunity to succeed, and every resident feels safer and better served.”
Woodfin added, “We’re continuing to make smart, responsible investments that strengthen our city today while positioning Birmingham for an even brighter future.”
To review the budget, go to www.birminghamal.gov/budget2027.
