FY 2026 Budget: A Focus on Citywide Upgrades and Increased Fire Department Staffing

On Monday, September 22, 2025, the City Council for the City of Pell City officially approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which will make improvements across the City with a special emphasis on public safety.

The approved plan includes a significant increase in Pell City Fire Department staffing, adding three new Firefighter-Medic positions, as well as additional Captain and Lieutenant positions, adding approximately $228,000 to the Fire Department personnel budget.

“We’re adding critical front-line positions that will provide a direct impact on the safety of our community and residents,” Pell City Fire Chief Tim Kurzejeski said. “This is a vital investment in the priority we place on public safety and providing the best fire and EMS services possible.”

Overall, new and reclassified positions across the City represent an increase in personnel spending by more than $700,000 for FY 2026.

Breakdown of Spending

The approved budget for the upcoming fiscal year forecasts total General Fund revenues of $39.3 million, with projected expenditures of $34.8 million. This conservative spending outlook is meant to ensure ample funding for capital investments and project implementation.

Here’s a look at the estimated total costs for some departments:

  • Fire: $5.8M
  • Police: $6.8M
  • Parks & Recreation: $4M
  • Street: $2.9M
  • Utilities: $4.9M

The budget also includes the following:

  • Funding for 9 new positions
  • The City’s absorption of a 4.75% increase in employee health insurance premiums
  • A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 3% for eligible personnel
  • Appropriations funding for nonprofit partners, including $6M to the Pell City School System and more than $200,000 to other local organizations

Council member Jay Jenkins highlighted the importance of the City’s investment in personnel, stating, “Our city’s most important asset is our employees. They are the backbone of our community, and it’s our responsibility to ensure we are investing in them.”

City’s Financial Health

Despite ongoing capital projects, the City’s reserve fund remains significantly above the 2023 baseline. The approved budget forecasts that revenue will exceed expenditures by more than $4.4 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

As has been the case in previous years, this revenue surplus is allocated to the City’s Capital Projects Fund. This Fund most recently allowed for property purchases and construction projects, including the new Pell City Police Station and Pell City Fire Station No. 2, without the City taking on additional debt.

As such, the FY 2026 Budget projects an 11th consecutive year of growth for the City’s General Fund Balance.

“This budget demonstrates the City’s focus on improving the level of service to our citizens, balancing the long-term fiscal health of the City with immediate needs,” City Manager Brian Muenger said.

2025 Pell City Fireworks Extravaganza | Friday, July 4 at 9 PM, Lakeside Park

Fourth of July Fireworks in Pell City aren’t just any fireworks display. This spectacular show lights up the summer sky over Logan Martin Lake, attracting tens of thousands of people by boat, by car and truck, and on foot to see one of the best fireworks displays in the state.

UPDATE: View Traffic Routes for the Event here: https://pell-city.com/2025-fireworks-traffic/

Sponsored by the City of Pell City, it is one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing visitors from near and far to celebrate our country’s independence in a special way.

If you are planning to watch the show from Lakeside Park or the Pell City Sports Complex, please plan to ARRIVE EARLY. The show begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025, and will last approximately 30 minutes. Fireworks are launched from the Pell City Sports Complex (2801 Stemley Bridge Road, Pell City)

The fireworks will be visible from the Sports Complex as well as Lakeside Park. As always, the spectacle can also be seen by boat from multiple vantage points throughout the lake.

UPDATE: View Traffic Routes for the Event here: https://pell-city.com/2025-fireworks-traffic/

Parks & Rec, Athletics host massive 125-Team Softball Tournament

On June 21-22, Pell City Parks and Recreation Athletics hosted a 125-team tournament for USA Rec Softball of Alabama at the Pell City Sports Complex. Thousands of visitors filled the Park and community during this successful weekend event.

Faced with two significant rain delays from unexpected storms, the success of the tournament would have been in question without the dedication of City staff. Field conditions were affected by storms during the event. However, staff responded quickly, returning fields to playing condition, which allowed the tournament to proceed.

“Our staff did everything they could to ensure this was a great tournament,” Parks & Recreation Athletics Director Joey Morrow said. “They worked countless hours, even through poor conditions. In my opinion, we have the best athletics staff around. They truly go above and beyond, day in and day out.”

During the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Pell City on June 23, 2025, City Manager Brian Muenger noted the efforts of Morrow and his staff, as well as Parks & Recreation and Maintenance staff who contributed to the success of the event.

USA Rec Softball of Alabama organizes recreational softball opportunities across the state, promoting sportsmanship and community involvement through organized play. Pell City was proud to host this large event.

Understanding Lakeside Park traffic routes: 2025 City of Pell City Fireworks Extravaganza

Pell City’s Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza isn’t just any fireworks display. This spectacular show lights up the summer sky over Logan Martin Lake, attracting tens of thousands of people by boat, by car and truck, and on foot to see one of the best fireworks displays in the state.

The Pell City Police Department want to ensure residents attending the event exit the Pell City Sports Complex and Lakeside Park safely. The Department has assigned officers to direct traffic at four locations on State Highway 34 (Stemley Bridge Road) after the show.

PCPD officers at the exits closest to the Pell City Civic Center direct vehicles on specific routes away from the event site. Lakeside Park traffic will be directed to the back exit. No vehicles located inside Lakeside Park will exit at the Civic Center this year. Please use the map below to ensure you’re positioned properly to use your preferred route away from the event site.

For attendees inside Lakeside Park, the rear exit by the Splash Pad will be opened. Both lanes of traffic will be directed out of the park. The left lane will turn left on Highway 34 toward Pell City, and the right lane will turn right toward Talladega.

Sponsored by the City of Pell City, the Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza is one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing visitors from near and far to celebrate our country’s independence in a special way.

The show begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025 and will last approximately 30 minutes. Fireworks are launched from the Pell City Sports Complex (2801 Stemley Bridge Road, Pell City)

The fireworks will be visible from the Sports Complex as well as Lakeside Park. As always, the spectacle can also be seen by boat from multiple vantage points throughout the lake.