By Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times
The Birmingham City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposed $31.8 million spending plan aimed at supporting his Cradle to Career Initiative and investments in public infrastructure, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions. The plan will be funded by a surplus from Fiscal Year 2024.
“This surplus funding puts us in a position to really double down on our commitment to our city’s infrastructure, to our city facilities, to our cultural amenities, as well as to some additional things around early childhood Cradle to Career and supportive efforts that improve quality of life for our families and residents here in the city of Birmingham,” Woodfin said in a press conference following the vote. “What they’ve done today puts us light years ahead,” the mayor said after thanking the Council for their support.
Cradle to Career
The $3.5 million Cradle to Career Initiative, the centerpiece of the spending plan, focuses on early childhood and youth development, specifically early literacy instruction, technical assistance for high-quality childcare, and expansion of the nationally recognized Birmingham Talks program, which has resulted in a more than 70 percent increase in interactive conversation for children in lower talk environments.
“When I was sworn in to start a third term, the entire conversation, entire speech, the entire message was centered around what are our roles and responsibilities as mayor and Council, how do we show up for our next and youngest generation,” Woodfin said. “We framed it around Cradle to Career and with today’s vote, we give and send a clear message with the down payment on early childhood investments — $3.5 million, and that’s a huge deal — making sure our children are prepared when they actually enter kindergarten.”
Infrastructure Improvements
The comprehensive spending plan sets aside $500,000 for each council district, giving councilors the ability to address key priorities within their communities. It also funds a range of citywide improvements, including a Storm Water Master Plan, sidewalk repairs, interstate lighting, added support for the Messer Airport Highway Drainage Project, and Urban Villages Master Plans, which focus on creating walkable neighborhood centers.
“Through these funds, we will have an opportunity to allocate resources toward impactful legacy projects that we have in each of our districts,” said Council President Wardine T. Alexander.
“It is our duty to use these resources in a way that will advance projects that are already underway, that will tackle deferred maintenance and invest in infrastructure and community spaces that will benefit our residents for years to come. We listen to our residents, and so we understand the challenges that they’re facing, but by putting these resources to work in a thoughtful and targeted way, residents will see meaningful improvements in their daily lives.”
City Facilities and Partner Institutions
Under the plan, Woodfin directs surplus funds toward improvements for city facilities such as the city jail and Birmingham CrossPlex. Funds will also be used to enhance the city’s park and recreation system, including more automated external defibrillators (AED) and pool repairs throughout the city. Local parks slated for pool upgrades include: Crestwood, Grayson, Maclin, McAlpine, Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr., Norwood, Roosevelt City, Underwood and Woodward parks.
The plan includes $500,000 for the Birmingham Zoo, which the mayor shared is one of the top three visitation spots in the state.
The spending plan also seeks to bolster Birmingham’s human rights legacy with an allocation of $500,000 to the Birmingham City Rights Institute, $250,000 for the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, and $250,000 to 16th Street Baptist Church for its visitors and education center.
“This effort makes us continue to advance what we’re known for around the globe, which is civil rights,” Woodfin said. “These cultural amenities are important, not just as assets or physical spaces, but what they mean to all generations across our community, as well as our visitors.”
A $2 million investment will go toward supporting KultureCity’s National Accessibility Park at the historic Powell Steam Plant. The project aims to establish the world’s first fully integrated destination designed for individuals and families navigating life with a disability. The completed site will also feature the first technical college in the country built to train and place individuals with disabilities into quality jobs, a disability navigation and education center, an exhibit honoring disability rights, retail and culinary spaces and an inclusive outdoor park.
“This will be a transformational effort, not only for KultureCity, but for our city, right here in Birmingham, and it will be a game changer for families,” Woodfin said.
Previously, the council approved Woodfin’s proposed $3.6 million investment from the FY2024 budget surplus to provide $1,000 premium pay for all full-time employees in December.
“I can’t really overstate the importance of sound fiscal management,” said Councilor Clinton Woods, who serves as Budget and Finance Chair for the Council. “Being disciplined in our spending has gotten us to a point like today, where we have a large surplus to be able to tackle some important needs.”
For more information on the city’s budget surplus spending plan, visit birminghamal.gov.
