ANNISTON, AL — The Anniston City Council reviewed the city manager’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, discussed education funding, transportation services, downtown sidewalk repairs, property maintenance bids, redevelopment at McClellan and proposed billboard regulations during its work session Tuesday, Aug. 4.
During the formal meeting that followed, the council unanimously approved its amended consent agenda, heard a public comment concerning the representation of Ward 2 and city management, and entered an executive session involving economic development and real estate matters.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
Finance Director Jessica Leonard presented the city manager’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, describing it as the result of several months of work involving the Finance Department, city administration and individual department directors.
The proposed general fund budget includes approximately $50.1 million in anticipated revenue and $51.76 million in expenditures. The approximately $1.66 million difference would be covered through a planned use of accumulated fund balance.
Leonard said the proposed use of reserves would not fund recurring operations. Instead, the money would be directed toward one-time expenditures such as paving, vehicles, equipment and facility improvements.
The city would continue maintaining its policy requiring a minimum fund balance equal to 17% of general fund expenditures, or approximately $8.5 million.
Taxes are expected to account for about three-quarters of the city’s general fund revenue. Projected revenue includes approximately $29.7 million from sales taxes, $4.75 million from business licenses and $4.37 million from property taxes.
The proposed budget does not include any new taxes or an increase in the city’s property tax rate.
Public safety represents approximately 35% of proposed general fund spending. The budget includes approximately $10.2 million for the Anniston Police Department and $7.8 million for the Anniston Fire Department, for a combined total of about $18 million.
Those appropriations would support personnel, vehicles, equipment, facilities, detention operations and emergency response services. The budget also includes an estimated $5.4 million for the police and fire retirement fund.
The proposal includes a one-step salary adjustment for eligible city employees at an estimated annual cost of approximately $607,000, including benefits. Eligibility would be limited to employees who are not at the top of their pay grade and who have not received a promotion, reclassification or other salary adjustment during the final six months of the fiscal year.
Proposed staffing changes include the addition of a crime analyst and an airport maintenance worker, the transfer of a clerk typist position to the city manager’s office and organizational changes within Parks and Recreation operations. Leonard said the changes would result in a net increase of two full-time positions.
The city’s five-year capital improvement plan identifies approximately $6.2 million in capital needs. Proposed investments include street paving, police vehicles, fire equipment, public works equipment and facility improvements. Not all projects identified in the five-year plan would be funded immediately.
Leonard said delaying infrastructure repairs and equipment replacements does not eliminate the associated costs and can result in higher expenses in the future.
The general fund would provide approximately $925,000 in operating support for the Anniston Museums and Gardens and Longleaf Botanical Gardens. Leonard said the facilities remain important cultural and educational assets while noting that the city should continue looking for opportunities to increase revenue.
Operations supported through separate dedicated funds include the fire tax fund, fire training fund, stormwater fund, insurance fund, McClellan Development Fund and gas tax funds.
The city’s proposed debt obligations include approximately $2.42 million in general obligation debt and another $460,000 in capital leases and other debt.
Leonard said the budget’s policy considerations include the use of reserves for one-time investments, employee compensation, public safety, capital improvements, support for community partners and the preservation of financial reserves.
Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston said additional budget workshops would be scheduled between Aug. 5 and Aug. 13. Council members were asked to review the proposal and prepare questions. Smith-Roston said more than one workshop could be held if needed.
Education Fund Disbursement
The council discussed a requested disbursement from the New Business Sales Tax Revenue Education Fund.
Smith-Roston explained that the city provides Anniston City Schools with 20% of sales tax revenue generated by qualifying new businesses. To receive the money, the school superintendent must provide the city manager with a written request explaining how the funds will be used.
According to the request presented during the work session, the money would continue funding a career technical education teacher and provide student classroom supplies and instructional resources for the school system’s modern manufacturing program.
A council member asked how the city defines a new business and how long revenue from that business remains eligible for the education allocation.
City staff explained that the business must establish a new sales tax account in Anniston, must not have previously operated in the city and cannot merely replace an existing business of the same type. The city continues allocating the qualifying percentage for as long as the business remains in operation.
Smith-Roston also clarified that the city separately funds the salary of the employee who administers the Helping Families Initiative, a program intended to reduce chronic absenteeism in the school system.
Anniston Express and ADA Para-Transit Services
The council reviewed a continuing agreement with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for the Anniston Express fixed-route transportation system and ADA para-transit services.
No concerns were raised during the work session. The agreement was later approved as part of the consent agenda.
10th Street Sidewalk Repair and Downtown Assessments
Council members held an extended discussion concerning the use of $55,000 from the General Fund Contingency account for engineering services associated with the 10th Street Sidewalk Repair Project.
City staff said the engineering work would address a known sidewalk problem and would also include initial ground-penetrating radar assessments of additional downtown areas, particularly along portions of 10th, 11th and 12th streets.
The assessments are intended to locate underground spaces and identify other areas where sidewalks may be supported over basements, vaults or other subterranean portions of older downtown buildings.
One council member expressed concern about spending $55,000 on engineering and said the situation demonstrated the potential value of having an in-house city engineer.
Staff explained that some downtown basements and underground building areas were constructed when the streets were still unpaved. In some locations, the sidewalk functions similarly to a bridge over private or formerly private underground structures.
Council members discussed whether stormwater intrusion had damaged some of those structures and whether the city had historic maps identifying their locations.
Staff said previous searches of city archives had not produced records showing all of the underground areas. Council members suggested contacting the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County’s Alabama Room and surveying downtown property owners to determine which buildings have basements extending beneath sidewalks or streets.
The $55,000 agreement includes a remediation design for the identified 10th Street location and preliminary assessment work in other targeted areas. It does not include construction inspection services or full repair designs for every additional problem that may be discovered.
Staff said any construction engineering and inspection agreement would be considered separately. The city would not be obligated to use the same engineering firm for construction oversight and could potentially perform some of that work internally.
A council member noted that the identified sidewalk failure presents a safety concern and said the city has a responsibility to address known hazards.
The council agreed to leave the resolution on the consent agenda, where it was later approved unanimously.
Grass Cutting and Lot Cleanup Bids
The council reviewed bids for grass cutting and lot cleanup services at 17 properties.
The consent agenda awarded work to T & D for $7,500, Mr. Clips for $10,025 and Grace and Glow for $1,175. The total approved expenditure was $18,700.
No concerns were raised during the work session.
McClellan Lofts Redevelopment
The council discussed designating the McClellan Lofts redevelopment as a Catalyst Economic Development Project for the former Fort McClellan and supporting an application for funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
City staff said the project had previously been identified for a potential public-private partnership. Under that arrangement, the city agreed to help identify and pursue grants that could assist with development.
The catalyst designation reflects the city’s position that completing the project could encourage additional residential development at McClellan.
The resolution also authorizes city officials to apply for an Economic Development Administration grant intended to help address infrastructure costs associated with the project.
Staff emphasized that the resolution does not commit the city to providing funding. If the grant is awarded and matching funds are required, the developer has agreed to provide the match.
The resolution was later approved as part of the consent agenda.
Proposed Billboard and Off-Premise Sign Regulations
The council discussed a proposed amendment to Article 9 of the city’s zoning ordinance concerning billboards and off-premise signs.
The amendment had previously been recommended by the Anniston Planning Commission.
City staff explained that the city’s 2016 zoning ordinance included a section specifically addressing billboards and off-premise signs. That section was not included when the updated zoning ordinance was adopted in 2024.
Staff said the earlier assumption was that leaving billboard regulations out of the ordinance would mean new billboards were not permitted. Instead, the omission created an area open to interpretation.
The proposed amendment would specifically define billboards and off-premise signs and establish where they are not permitted.
A council member requested maps, graphics or other visual materials explaining the affected locations, sign sizes and practical effects of the amendment before voting.
Staff said recent inquiries regarding possible billboard locations prompted concern about the lack of specific regulations. Major roadways and arterial routes were cited as areas where the city may want clearer restrictions.
The McClellan bypass was presented as an example of an area where billboards are currently restricted. Staff said the amendment would help establish similarly clear rules in other areas.
Smith-Roston clarified that the amendment would not be retroactive and would not require the removal of existing legal billboards or digital signs. Existing signs could remain as legally nonconforming or grandfathered uses, while future signs would be subject to the new regulations.
A majority of the council indicated support for moving the amendment forward.
Hobson City Founders Day and Museum Support
Smith-Roston presented information concerning Hobson City’s 127th Annual Founders Day Mayor’s Gala.
She said Anniston has historically provided a $2,500 silver sponsorship and allowed the use of the Anniston City Meeting Center without charging the regular $500 fee.
The council briefly discussed whether to provide $2,000 plus the meeting center or continue its traditional level of support.
Council members agreed to continue the historic $2,500 sponsorship and provide use of the meeting center. The proceeds are intended to support Hobson City’s efforts to establish a museum.
The donation resolution was added to the formal meeting’s consent agenda.
Formal Council Meeting
All five members of the governing body were present: Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston and Council members Julie Moss, Erica Tolson, Lewis Downing and Joe Harrington.
The council unanimously approved the minutes from its July 21 regular meeting and July 23 special-called meeting.
The council then unanimously amended the agenda to add an executive session and the $2,500 Hobson City sponsorship resolution. The amended agenda was also approved unanimously.
No public hearings were scheduled.
The council unanimously approved the amended consent agenda, including:
- Grass cutting and lot cleanup contracts totaling $18,700.
- Disbursement from the New Business Sales Tax Revenue Education Fund.
- The agreement for the Anniston Express fixed-route and ADA para-transit services.
- The designation of McClellan Lofts as a Catalyst Economic Development Project and support for an Economic Development Administration grant application.
- The use of General Fund Contingency money for engineering services associated with the 10th Street sidewalk project.
- A $2,500 contribution supporting Hobson City’s Mayor’s Gala and proposed museum.
No additional matters were presented before the public comment period.
Public Comment
John Squires, of Druid Hills Road, addressed the council and called for greater transparency and honesty from city officials.
Squires questioned whether Ward 2 is being represented by someone legally elected to the position. He argued that the council should take action rather than wait for a court challenge.
He suggested holding a special election, using an appointment and interview process similar to one previously used for Ward 1 or working with county officials to identify another lawful solution.
Squires also raised concerns about the leadership of the interim city manager and questioned whether city spending decisions had consistently reflected the most cost-effective options.
He cited police vehicle purchases, roofing projects and major road projects as examples of spending he believed warranted closer public scrutiny and greater participation from county government.
Squires concluded by asking the mayor and council to apply the same level of accountability to their own actions that Smith-Roston had recently said she expected from the Anniston Board of Education.
Council Comments
Downing thanked Leonard, Finance Department employees, the city manager’s office and department directors for their work preparing the proposed budget. He said he looked forward to the upcoming review process.
He also reminded motorists to watch for school buses as students return to school and encouraged residents to support the Downtown Anniston Farmers Market, held from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturdays.
Harrington thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for organizing a back-to-school event at Zinn Park and said it had drawn a strong turnout.
He encouraged residents to become familiar with city ordinances. Harrington specifically addressed rules for residential garbage carts, saying residents have 72 hours after collection to remove carts from the street and return them to an appropriate location.
He said enforcement is necessary to address violations and encouraged residents to help keep the city clean.
Moss thanked the city manager and department directors for their work on the budget. She said she had submitted approximately 30 to 40 questions and expressed appreciation for the responses she had received.
Moss also thanked Parks and Recreation employees for the back-to-school event at Zinn Park and spoke about helping distribute school supplies.
She encouraged residents to attend the Calhoun County Blue Line Foundation’s Battle of the Badges Chili Challenge, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Oxford Civic Center. Moss encouraged support for Anniston police officers and firefighters participating in the competition.
Tolson responded to the public comment concerning her residency and representation of Ward 2.
Tolson said she previously lived at 2004 Duncan Avenue and has since moved into Ward 2. She said she intends to continue representing Ward 2 and the city as a whole.
Tolson said the original residency issue was not caused by her or by the city and asked residents to give the council an opportunity to continue its work. She also called for greater community support and less negativity.
Smith-Roston then responded to the Ward 2 concerns and read from the 2025 municipal elections manual.
She said the mayor and city clerk do not have the legal authority to judge a candidate’s residency qualifications or independently remove a qualified candidate’s name from the ballot. According to the passage she read, a dispute over a candidate’s qualifications must be decided by a court or supported by an attorney general’s opinion.
Smith-Rostonsaid city officials were unaware of the residency discrepancy at the time of the election. She said the problem originated with voter registration records dating to 2012, when the Board of Registrars did not accurately apply the city’s ward boundary to Tolson’s street.
According to Smith-Roston, residents along the affected street had been voting in Ward 2 since 2012 even though the centerline of the road divided the area between Wards 1 and 2.
She said the Board of Registrars has corrected the voter list to match the city’s official ward map.
Smith-Roston said the council would continue supporting Tolson and that anyone seeking to challenge the matter could take the issue before a judge. She also said residents who believe the council has acted unethically may file a complaint with the Alabama Ethics Commission.
Executive Session
The council unanimously voted to enter an executive session to discuss terms the city might offer or accept in connection with the purchase, sale, exchange or lease of real property.
The executive session also included preliminary negotiations involving trade or commerce in which the city is competing with private entities or other governmental bodies.
Smith-Roston stated that publicly disclosing the discussion could harm the city’s competitive position or affect the location, retention, expansion or upgrading of a business.
The council did not return to deliberate or vote on any matter following the executive session.
