From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Today the Birmingham City Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget that will go into effect July 1 and totals $436,126,771 — marking $8 million in revenue growth from the FY 2018 Budget.
Both the General Fund Budget and the previous Capital appropriations passed unanimously.
Since Mayor Woodfin first proposed the FY 2019 budget to the Council, there have been four budget work sessions/Budget and Finance Committee meetings to discuss various recommendations and funding requests submitted by each Councilor.
Notable changes from the Mayor’s proposed FY 2019 Budget that was submitted on June 5, include increased funding for the following:
· $175,000 for Vulcan Park Foundation (from $300,000 to $475,000)
· $125,000 for Ruffner Mountain Agency (from $0 to $125,000)
· $100,000 for Sports and Tourism Development
· $35,000 for Rickwood Field (from $75,000 to $110,000)
· $59,104 for McWane Center (from $100,000 to $159,104)
The Birmingham Jefferson Transit Authority received $5 million and an additional $5.8 million was allocated for future transit projects.
“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.”