Tuscaloosa mayor unveils $239.8 million FY26 budget; council approves FAA grant booking, police tech purchases and small community disbursements

Mayor: The Tuscaloosa City Council heard the mayor’s presentation of his proposed fiscal 2026 spending plan and approved a set of routine disbursements and budget revisions, including recording a $25,710,664 Federal Aviation Administration grant for a runway extension and authorizing police-technology purchases.

The mayor said the proposed operating budget totals $239,800,000 when combining the general fund and Elevate revenues. "This budget this year is being focused on Tuscaloosa first," the mayor said, summarizing priorities that include public safety, schools and infrastructure.

Why it matters: The proposal sets aside sizable resources for the city’s transition of public-safety employees into the state retirement system (RSA), directs Elevate funds to pre-K, dual-enrollment and parks projects, and books a large FAA grant that will be handled on a reimbursement (drawdown) basis.

Major figures and priorities

- Combined operating budget: $239,800,000 (general fund $208,300,000; Elevate $31,400,000). - Public safety allocation: $82,800,000 (about 39% of the general fund). - Direct discretionary funding to Tuscaloosa City Schools: $7,100,000. - Infrastructure investments: $60,200,000. - Employee investments/new hires: $2,500,000. - RSA transition contribution: $4,900,000 to the public-safety transition fund.

The mayor said the city’s unassigned general-fund balance has grown, and cited credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch as evidence of financial strength. He described the budget as…