The Anniston City Council met Monday evening for both a work session and its regular monthly meeting, approving a series of measures aimed at supporting local economic growth, city employees, and community infrastructure.
Tax Abatements Approved for Three Local Manufacturers
The council unanimously approved tax abatements for three Anniston-area manufacturing companies: McWane Inc. dba M&H Valve & Co., McWane Inc. dba Tyler Union, and Changer and Dresser Corp. The measures were presented by Planning and Economic Development Director Erin Dorris and Don Hopper of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council.
Hopper explained that M&H Valve is making a roughly $7.6 million investment in a blast machine and dust collection equipment, qualifying it for a five-year abatement. Tyler Union is constructing a new 27,000-square-foot facility — which will house drilling equipment and CNC machines — and was granted a 10-year abatement, standard for real estate investments. Changer and Dresser, located at the Greenbrier Industrial Park off Robinson Road, received an amended abatement reflecting an increased investment that grew from $3.8 million to $4.8 million.
Hopper noted that school tax revenues are never included in the abatements. “We do not abate any school portion of the taxes,” he said, adding that the abatements are performance-based — if a company does not make the committed investment, no tax benefit is received.
A Tyler Union representative told the council the new facility is expected to add six to seven hourly employees and two to three salaried managers, with wages ranging from approximately $22 to $28 per hour. The total estimated payroll for the roughly 10 new positions across the abatement projects is approximately $750,000 annually.
Councilmember Erica Tolson raised questions during the work session about job guarantees, wage levels, and where the risk falls if commitments are not met. Hopper clarified that because the abatements are performance-based rather than upfront incentives, the city bears no financial risk if investment targets go unmet.
Paid Parental Leave Policy Adopted
The council adopted a new Paid Parental Leave Policy for city employees, a measure first discussed at the previous council meeting. City Manager Kenneth Free was credited by Councilmember Julie Moss for bringing the policy forward. “I just wanted to thank our city manager for bringing to our attention about the pay for parental policy,” Moss said during council comments. “I think that’s a great thing.”
Michael Tucker Park TAP Project Awarded
The council approved awarding the bid for the Michael Tucker Park TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Project to B&B Developers in the amount of $424,625.30. Officials noted the project is grant-funded, with a 20% local match required. Full-time construction engineering and inspection — required under the grant — will bring the total grant expenditure to approximately $600,000.
Voting Delegates, Board Appointments, and Budget Amendment
During the work session, Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston confirmed she would serve as the voting delegate for the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention, set for April 28–May 1 in Montgomery, with Councilmember Joe Harrington designated as the alternate.
The council also approved a budget amendment to recognize donated funds for the Longleaf Botanical Gardens Special Projects, along with the appointment of members to the Anniston Historic Preservation Commission. An additional consent agenda item — a resolution appointing Grant Jackson to the Downtown Development Authority — was added at the start of the regular meeting at the request of Councilmember Lewis Downing.
City Art Collection to Be Transferred to Museum
City Manager Free informed the council that a collection of 33 city-owned paintings — some originating from Anniston’s sister city in Japan — has been stored in a private storage unit and is in need of transfer back to official city control. He recommended routing the collection through the local museum for inventory and accountability purposes before displaying pieces in city buildings. A formal turnover ceremony is expected in the coming weeks. The council expressed agreement with the plan.
Community Fire at St. George Apartments
Council members made note of a recent fire at the St. George Apartments in Golden Springs during both the invocation and council comments. Councilmember Downing urged community members who are able to donate clothing or household items to reach out to the fire department to arrange drop-off. “If you’ve never lost anything in a house fire, it’s devastating,” Downing said, noting that he himself had experienced a similar loss while living in Golden Springs.
Mayor Smith-Roston expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the fire, though she acknowledged the loss of animals at the property.
Public Comment
The sole registered public commenter, LaTanya Tinsley of the Southern Poverty Law Center, introduced herself to the council and shared that she is working in the Anniston community on voter education, democracy outreach, poverty reduction, and youth civic engagement. She mentioned collaborating with New South members on the development of a youth council connected to the school system.
Mayor Smith-Roston thanked Tinsley and expressed interest in meeting further, noting the city has resources that could align with her efforts.
Executive Session
Following the close of the regular meeting, the council voted to convene an executive session to discuss matters related to real property transactions and trade or commerce negotiations in which the city is in competition with private or other governmental entities.
The next Anniston City Council meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2026. Councilmember Julie Moss’s town hall is set for February 28 at the Hodges Community Center in Golden Springs from 2–4 p.m.
