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.

Valtir Donates Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Safety Barriers to Pell City

Valtir, a premier manufacturer of highway safety products with a facility in the Pell City Industrial Park, has made a donation of 40 plastic ACZ barriers to the City of Pell City. The equipment, worth “tens of thousands of dollars,” according to Pell City Street Superintendent Greg Gossett, is a significant upgrade from the City’s current equipment.

Pell City Street Department staff Stephen Dill, Jonathan Campbell, Wesley Angel, Greg Gossett, BJ Rawson, Fred Buse, Terry Pate, John McCutcheon, and Pete Tray. Photo by Joshua Clemons.

The barriers, originally manufactured for use as crash cushions, will serve a new purpose by helping the city manage traffic and pedestrian flow at a variety of public events. They can be placed end-to-end to create a continuous barrier, making them ideal for occasions such as the annual parades and the Downtown Block Party.

Valtir representative John Higgins said the barriers were obsolete from their inventory and were no longer being sold. Instead of recycling or scrapping the materials, Valtir chose to donate them to the city, which has previously utilized similar donated items. 

“This donation from Valtir is an excellent example of a local company investing directly back into our community,” Mayor Bill Pruitt said. “These barriers will be a tremendous asset, helping us manage our public events more safely and efficiently. We are grateful for this partnership and for Valtir’s continued commitment to Pell City.”

This donation underscores a partnership between local industry and the community, allowing the city to improve public safety and event logistics without a major financial outlay.

About Valtir’s Local History

Valtir’s connection to Pell City dates back to the late 1980s. The facility, originally founded as Energy Absorption Systems (EAS) in California in 1969, moved the majority of its manufacturing operations to Pell City after the local factory was purchased. Since then, the plant has doubled in size twice and currently employs approximately 250 local residents.

In 2010, EAS was acquired by Trinity Highway, which added guardrail manufacturing to the product mix. In 2022, a new company, Valtir, was established with a renewed focus on highway safety products. While the manufacturing is a key part of the Pell City operation, the company’s R&D engineering division remains in California, designing new products to meet evolving roadway safety standards.

Dispose of Unwanted Items FREE: Pell City Spring Clean-Up April 4-6

Pell City residents will have the opportunity to declutter and dispose of unwanted items during the city’s annual Spring Clean-Up, scheduled for April 4th through 6th.

The event will run Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday, April 6th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Roll-off dumpsters will be available at the Pell City Street Department, located at 417 19th Street South, next to the Boys and Girls Club. Residents within city limits can bring household items, old appliances, scrap metal, and furniture.

ACCEPTED: Yard debris will also be accepted during this weekend only.

NOT ACCEPTED: Hazardous waste, including propane tanks, batteries, paint, used oils, and tires, will not be accepted. Construction materials such as lumber, fencing, and drywall are also prohibited.

In addition to the dumpsters, designated boxes will be available for electronic waste (E-Waste), including audio/video equipment, computers, cell phones, small appliances, and more. Properly disposing of e-waste is crucial to prevent toxic materials from leaching into the environment and to recover valuable resources for reuse.

A photo ID is required to use these services. For further information, residents can contact the Pell City Street Department at (205) 884-8267 or email jclemons@cityofpellcity.net.

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