Budget Hearings Set For This Week In Hoover

HOOVER, AL - Maybe one of the most controversial issues the Hoover City Council has faced this year has been creating the budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins October 1. Leading up to the council's budget hearings set for Tuesday and Thursday of this week, the council and mayor have looked at ways to offset a proposed budget shortfall and possible city-wide debt as the city continues to grow.

Since last year, sales tax revenue dropped from $71.5 million to less than $71.4 million, records show. Total revenue for all governmental funds decreased by $1.9 million in fiscal 2017, with most of that coming from the general fund. Overall tax revenues rose only $280,352 in 2017, while license and permit revenue fell by $573,038, money from other governments fell by $990,652, and fines and forfeiture money decreased by $544,640. These decreases are the worst since 2009.

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A report by the Hoover Sun said the original 2018 budget approved last year included almost $208 million in expenses, including $110 million out of the city’s general fund, $19.5 million from a special revenue fund and $78 million out of the capital projects fund. Since then, the budget has been amended to expect almost $215 million in expenses, including $111 million out of the city's general fund, $20.9 million from the special revenue fund and $82.7 million out of the capital projects fund.

Here is the schedule for the hearings:
Tuesday, Aug. 21:

• 9 a.m. — Budget overview
• 9:30 a.m. — Municipal Court
• 10 a.m. — Public Library
• 11 a.m. — Fire Department
• Noon — Lunch
• 12:30 p.m. — Police Department
• 1:30 p.m. — Mayor’s office
• 2 p.m. — Metropolitan Complex
• 3 p.m. — Parks and Recreation

Thursday, Aug. 23:

• 9 a.m. — Inspection Services
• 9:15 a.m. — Building Services
• 9:30 a.m. — Human Resources
• 9:45 a.m. — City Clerk’s office
• 10 a.m. — Revenue Department
• 10:15 a.m. — Purchasing Department
• 10:30 a.m. — City Treasurer
• 10:45 a.m. — Fleet Management
• 11:15 a.m. — Public Works
• 11:45 a.m. — Lunch
• 12:15 p.m. — 911 Communications
• 1:15 p.m. — Engineering Department
• 2:15 p.m. — City Administrator’s office
• 3:15 p.m. — Finance Department
• 3:45 p.m. — Information Technology

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch