Mobile County Commission adopts $226.45 million general fund budget for 2026

The Mobile County Commission on Sept. 22 adopted the fiscal year 2026 general fund budget totaling $226,446,358.

Deputy Finance Director Crystal Monk presented the plan, saying the total represents a 2% increase over last year and highlights a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees, a staffing increase for county parks, and absorption of a 4.7% increase in health insurance costs. She said operations are increasing by about $2 million largely because of insurance premiums and utilities, and transfers are decreasing by $6.4 million because one-time funding allocations have concluded.

Monk said capital and debt make up about 6% of the general fund and that 84% of the budget is allocated to public safety (47%) and general government (37%). She described revenue assumptions that drive the plan: taxes at 58% of revenue, intergovernmental sources at 21%, and other sources at 21%. Monk said revenues are projected to rise roughly 2% (about $5 million), with property taxes up $2 million, sales taxes up $2.5 million and interest revenue up roughly $3 million tied to a new short-term investment strategy.

The budget package includes $450,000 for county tourism (supporting the Super 7 and the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame), $2.35 million in economic incentives for workforce development and industry partnerships with local training partners and companies, and a new spay-and-neuter program for the animal shelter. The presentation also noted an expected issuance of capital improvement debt and a rise in salaries and retiree costs.

Commissioners and elected officials asked clarifying questions after the presentation. Monk told commissioners that filling vacancies will require a budget check by the Mobile County Finance Department before hiring and that merit raises are temporarily on moratorium while the commission finalizes formal policies for merit and vacancy reviews. Monk described the moratorium as temporary while staff drafts a clearer process.

After discussion, the chair called for a motion to adopt the 2026 general fund budget; a commissioner moved and another seconded. The motion carried and the commission proceeded to the rest of the agenda.

The commission also included directives in the budget authority guidance that elected offices funded through the commission must manage overtime within their budgets and that vacancy hires will be preceded by a finance department budget check. Officials said they will circulate the implementing procedures for elected officials and departments once finalized.

The commission's adoption of the 2026 general fund budget was followed by the routine consent and contract items on the agenda.