Birmingham City Council unanimously approves $436 million budget

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Birmingham's economic growth is contributing to the city's largest budget, according to Mayor William Bell. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the city’s 2019 operating budget with an 8-0 vote. District 1 Councilwoman Lashunda Scales was not present for the vote.

The $436 million budget will go into effect July 1.

The budget comes in $8 million bigger than last year’s budget, due to revenue growth from the use and occupational taxes.

“Passing a budget on time is important not just to our citizens, but also for all the city departments that provide services to the public,” Council President Valerie Abbott said. “I think this budget was a good compromise. In government, you have limited resources and unlimited needs. By passing this budget unanimously today it shows that the Council and Mayor recognize we are in this together and we want to get things done.”

Following the budget’s approval, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said he was encouraged by the cooperation of the Council throughout the budget process.

“For me it is about taking the time to understand each Councilor’s request,” Woodfin said. “We wanted to make sure we incorporated a majority of wants and needs. We’re not able to get everything for everyone, but for the most part I think we accomplished that.”