Hoover Council Approves 2018 Budget

HOOVER, AL - The Hoover City Council unanimously passed a $128 million budget for 2018 last week, a budget that is 1.5 percent less than the $112 million 2017 general fund budget approved in March.

Accordiong to the Hoover Sun, the council anticipates spending $110 million out of the city’s general fund, $12.7 million from a special revenue fund and $5.2 million out of the capital projects fund. The city is expecting revenues for 2017 to come in about $1.6 million short of the original 2017 budget of $112.3 million, so for 2018, they’re estimating $111 million in revenue for the general fund. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)

Mayor Frank Brocato’s original 2018 budget proposed shifting $7.4 million of money previously not allocated in the capital projects fund to the general fund to support operations. Brocato has cut that total to $3.4 million by getting city departments to cut at least 10 percent of their operating budget from what the mayor originally proposed, and by cutting approximately $700,000 in payroll costs - primarily from lowering estimated insurance payouts.

Other highlights of the 2018 budget include:

- $9.2 million for capital projects, including $2 million for paving projects throughout the city

- $1.5 million for improvements to South Shades Crest Road

- $1.4 million for an upgrade of the city’s information technology system

- $1 million for replacing the drainage system and turf at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium

- $750,000 for a new police training facility.

Photo from Hoover City Hall