2009 Birmingham budget
The 2008-2009 Birmingham budget was released by the Mayor's office on May 20, 2008 for the fiscal year July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009.
The presentation to the Birmingham City Council was made in the form of a video. The proposed budget contains $428.9 million of expenditures, an increase of 30.5% over the 2007-2008 budget drafted by former Mayor Bernard Kincaid.
$64 million of the additional revenues are expected to be generated by increased sales taxes and business license fees approved in December 2007 as part of the Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance. Those funds were approved by the council to fund various capital projects, but those expenditures would first appear in 2009, freeing the first year's collections to cover general fund items. The remainder of planned expenditures would be paid for from an expected 3.015% growth in revenues over the next year and from $43 million left over from the 2007-2008 Birmingham budget. Part of that surplus is $500,000 remaining from a $70 million fund created by the sale of Birmingham Water Works property in 2000.
The council will have to approve the budget before it becomes official.
Expenditures
- $20 million toward the Fair Park redevelopment project
- $9 million for planning for the domed stadium
- $15 million to replace BJCTA bus fleet and begin work to put Heritage streetcars downtown.
- $64.2 million for the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service (including pay raises)
- $86.4 million for the Birmingham Police Department (including pay raises)
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. (May 21, 2008) "Mayor Langford presents budget, says fiscal restraint needed." Birmingham News