Finance committee approves routine disbursements, budget revision, traffic-safety grant and K‑9 insurance renewal

The Tuscaloosa City Council finance committee on an unanimous voice vote adopted minutes and approved five routine items including two district disbursements, a small general‑fund budget revision, authorization to execute an upcoming traffic‑safety grant agreement and renewal of the city’s K‑9 mortality insurance.

Minutes from the committee’s previous meeting were adopted at the start of the session. Councilmembers then approved two district disbursements from District 7 improvement funds: $1,500 for a teacher‑appreciation donation to Southview Elementary and $1,500 toward a Central High School girls flag‑football team. Councilmembers who proposed the donations asked for the votes without extended discussion; both motions were seconded and carried with “ayes.”

The committee approved general fund budget revision No. 17, which staff said moves $2,600 from a District 7 prior‑year balance into the current year to cover the two district requests just approved.

The committee also authorized the mayor’s office to execute a grant agreement with the Southwest Alabama Highway Safety Office for the 2026 Communities Traffic Safety Program. Chief Eric (the police chief) told the committee the program is awarded annually and reimburses the city for high‑visibility traffic enforcement; he said the dollar amount varies by community and by how much of the grant remains throughout the year, and that the department does not yet know the exact award amount for Tuscaloosa.

Finally the committee approved renewal of the city’s annual K‑9 mortality insurance. Staff reported last year’s premium was $4,585 and this year’s premium is $5,985, reflecting coverage of an additional dog. Staff listed five insured K‑9s and the coverage limits discussed in committee. The motion to renew was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance • Adoption of minutes — outcome: approved (voice vote: ayes). Referenced by transcript at opening remarks. • District 7 disbursement to Southview (teacher appreciation), $1,500 — outcome: approved (aye). Motion made by councilmember (name on transcript), seconded; recorded as approved. • District 7 disbursement to Central High School girls flag football, $1,500 — outcome: approved (aye). Motion made by councilmember (name on transcript), seconded; recorded as approved. • General Fund Budget Revision No. 17 — move $2,600 from District 7 prior‑year balance into the current year to fund district requests — outcome: approved (aye). • Authorization to execute grant agreement with Southwest Alabama Highway Safety Office (2026 Communities Traffic Safety Program) — award amount not specified at time of vote — outcome: approved (aye). • Renewal of K‑9 mortality insurance, premium reported at $5,985 (up from $4,585), covers five K‑9s — outcome: approved (aye).

The committee did not record any roll‑call vote tallies in the portion of the transcript provided; actions were approved by voice vote. Several items (the traffic‑safety grant and precise insurance policy language) remain contingent on final grant documentation and contract terms to be executed by staff.