ANNISTON, AL — The Anniston City Council addressed community development funding, nuisance properties, a temporary moratorium on data centers, board appointments and several policy issues during its Aug. 18 work session and regular meeting. The evening also included a public hearing on the city’s proposed budget, comments from residents on speeding, road conditions, blighted properties and council eligibility, followed by comments from each member of the council.
Work Session
The 5 p.m. work session agenda included four primary items: the city’s 2026 Annual Action Plan, a public nuisance declaration, a budget amendment and city manager updates.
2026 Annual Action Plan
Council members reviewed the FY 2026 Annual Action Plan under the Community Development Block Grant program. Discussion included the use of federal funding for demolition, grass cutting and infrastructure improvements.
During the discussion, city officials noted that Ward 2 has had the highest number of grass-cutting and demolition cases so far in 2026. Council members also discussed whether additional funding could be directed toward blighted structures if money allocated for infrastructure improvements could not otherwise be identified for specific projects. Staff explained that federal funding categories can limit how money designated for demolition and condemnation can be shifted to public works or infrastructure projects.
Public Nuisance
Council members next reviewed a proposed resolution declaring reported conditions in Group 2026-04 to be public nuisances. The group includes grass, debris, vehicles and criminal nuisances. The resolution was placed on the consent agenda for the regular meeting.
Budget Amendment
The council also reviewed an amendment to the FY 2026 budget recognizing grant and donation funds for Main Street Anniston and the Anniston Museums and Gardens. The amendment was also scheduled for consideration on the consent agenda.
City Manager Evaluation
Mayor Smith-Roston told council members that a city manager evaluation had been prepared at the council’s request based on documentation provided nearly two months earlier. Members were asked to complete their evaluations and return them by the following Tuesday.
Smith-Roston said she and Vice Mayor Downing would compile the evaluations and that the city manager’s evaluation would be discussed publicly at the next council meeting.
Board Appointments and Data Center Moratorium
Two additional matters were discussed for addition to the regular meeting agenda: two appointments to the McClellan Development Authority board and a temporary moratorium on data centers. The regular-meeting transcript identifies the proposed MDA appointees as Jared Ross and Lachey Robertson.
The proposed data center resolution followed a recommendation from the Anniston Planning Commission. City officials said existing zoning and development regulations do not specifically address all potential impacts associated with large-scale data centers, including electrical demand, water and wastewater capacity, stormwater, transportation, emergency services, noise, lighting, cooling systems and compatibility with nearby neighborhoods.
Under the resolution, the city will temporarily withhold permits, approvals and licenses for new data centers while the Planning Commission develops recommendations for regulations. The Planning Commission was asked to present recommendations within six months.
The moratorium is set for 12 months unless shortened or extended by the council. Existing data center businesses are not intended to be affected unless they cease operations for at least 60 days or allow a business license to expire without timely renewal.
Food Trucks and Municipal Boards
Two additional policy matters were presented for future consideration but were not scheduled for votes that evening.
The first involves food trucks. Under the city’s current ordinance, food trucks generally must move from a location every three days unless the council approves an exception. Council members were told that two food truck operators are expected to request permission to remain at their locations beyond that period.
The second involves service on municipal boards and commissions. Current city policy generally prevents a person from serving on more than one municipal board, with an exception involving the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Officials said difficulty recruiting enough members to maintain quorums has prompted consideration of changing the policy.
Options discussed included allowing residents to serve on multiple boards or establishing a limit of two boards per person. Council members also discussed reviewing whether all existing boards remain necessary and active, as well as increasing recruitment efforts rather than relying on the same residents to fill multiple positions. Some council members expressed concern that allowing unlimited board service could create conflicts of interest. City officials estimated there were roughly 30 openings or expired appointments, depending on which boards remain active.
Regular Council Meeting
The 5:30 p.m. meeting began with an invocation led by Councilwoman Moss, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. All five members of the council were present. The council unanimously approved the minutes from its Aug. 4 meeting.
The council then unanimously amended the agenda to add the data center moratorium, the two MDA board appointments and an executive session. The amended agenda was also unanimously approved.
Proposed City Budget and Public Hearing
Before opening the public hearing, city finance officials presented an overview of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins Oct. 1, 2026.
The proposed general fund anticipates approximately $50.1 million in revenue and $51.8 million in expenditures, with approximately $1.7 million in planned use of available fund balance. City officials emphasized that budgeting fund balance does not necessarily mean the city will ultimately spend $1.7 million more than it collects because revenues are budgeted conservatively and departments historically do not spend every appropriated dollar.
Sales tax revenue is projected at approximately $29.7 million. Police and detention expenditures are approximately $10.2 million, while fire expenditures from the general fund are approximately $7.8 million. Parks and recreation is approximately $5.6 million, public works approximately $5.3 million and outside agencies approximately $2.9 million. Police and fire together account for nearly 35% of general fund expenditures.
The budget proposes 336 full-time and 24 permanent part-time positions, along with a targeted one-step salary adjustment for eligible employees. The estimated annual cost of the adjustment, including related benefits, is approximately $607,000.
The city’s five-year capital improvement plan identifies approximately $6.1 million in capital needs during FY 2027, including paving and infrastructure, police and fire vehicles, fire equipment and station improvements, public works equipment, drainage, parks and recreation facilities, museum improvements and technology.
Budget Hearing Comments
Several residents spoke during the public hearing.
John Squires raised concerns about pedestrian safety, sidewalks, traffic calming and speeding. He advocated consideration of speed bumps and also asked for clarification regarding the city’s relationship and financial status with 121 Disposal.
Another resident raised concerns about deteriorating road conditions and potholes near her home and asked the city to inspect the area. Additional comments focused on an abandoned property, speeding near 27th Street and neighborhood cleanup needs.
A resident also asked whether action on the proposed budget could be delayed to allow the public additional time to review it. Smith-Roston clarified that the council was not voting on final adoption of the budget that evening and said copies were available through the city and online for public review.
Consent Agenda Approved
Following the public hearing, the council unanimously approved the amended consent agenda.
The original consent agenda included adoption and approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Action Plan under the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs, the public nuisance resolution and the FY 2026 budget amendment recognizing grant and donation funds for Main Street Anniston and Anniston Museums and Gardens.
The amended consent agenda also included the two MDA board appointments and the temporary data center moratorium.
Public Comments
Three residents were formally scheduled to speak during the meeting’s public comment period: Quinton Burrow, John Squires and Jim Stirling.
Burrow addressed speeding in his neighborhood and said drivers have been recorded traveling at extremely high speeds in a 25-mph zone. He described concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists, children and elderly residents and asked the council to consider speed bumps or other measures in the Shipley Road area.
Squires again addressed the council regarding Ward 2 Councilwoman Erica Tolson’s eligibility to serve. He cited city and state residency requirements and argued that the council should address whether the required residency period was satisfied before the election. His statements during public comment represented his position; the council did not make a determination on the issue during the meeting.
Stirling spoke in support of the city’s recent decision to withdraw from the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement agreement. He said he was speaking as a citizen and attorney rather than on behalf of a political party or organization and thanked the mayor, council and Police Chief Nick Bowles Harris for the decision.
Council Comments
Vice Mayor Lewis N. Downing thanked residents for attending and participating in city government and thanked city staff and the Finance Department for their work on the proposed budget. He also reminded residents about Museum Day at the Anniston Museums and Gardens, including free museum admission and family activities, and encouraged residents to take precautions during the ongoing heat.
Councilwoman Erica Tolson thanked residents for attending and said she wanted to speak after the meeting with residents who had raised concerns involving her ward. She thanked the finance staff and city manager for the budget work and recognized Public Works, the fire department and police department. Tolson also said she continues to learn about the responsibilities of her position and the city’s various boards and operations.
Councilman Joe Harrington addressed concerns about speeding, saying public safety should not be determined solely by cost. He said citations could serve as a deterrent and noted that traffic studies are needed to determine where traffic-calming devices are appropriate. Harrington also said he continues to look for areas where city spending could be reduced and redirected toward priorities including cleanup, trash and housing needs.
Councilwoman Julie Moss thanked city officials and department directors for their work on the budget. She also recognized the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and the county’s America 250 Committee and encouraged residents to visit the recently unveiled mural at Noble Street Park. Moss urged residents to take precautions during the extreme heat, including checking on neighbors and bringing pets inside. She also encouraged continued public participation and asked residents to bring potential solutions, as well as concerns, to city leaders.
Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston responded to several matters raised during public comments. She said the city has no outstanding balance owed to 121 Disposal. She also said the proposed budget includes the possibility of debt service associated with a bond that could be used for significant road paving based on the city’s road assessment. Smith-Roston said officials were awaiting additional figures and hoped the matter could be finalized by the end of 2026, potentially allowing work to begin in early 2027.
Smith-Roston said CDBG funding is being used to demolish approximately 20 blighted properties and said the city is approaching blight through both demolition and redevelopment. She also discussed stronger enforcement against property owners who fail to maintain their properties. On speeding, Smith-Roston said additional speed bumps may be appropriate in some locations but other traffic-calming measures may be more suitable elsewhere, which is why Public Works assessments and traffic studies are needed.
Executive Session
The council concluded the public portion of the meeting by voting to enter executive session to discuss matters involving the potential purchase, sale, exchange, lease or market value of real property and preliminary negotiations involving trade or commerce where disclosure could affect the city’s competitive position.
Smith-Roston stated that the council would not return to deliberate or vote on matters discussed during the executive session.
