Orange Beach council adopts FY26 budget and approves a slate of contracts, appropriations and code updates

The Orange Beach City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a package of resolutions and ordinances during its Dec. 16 meeting.

Budget and appropriations: Council adopted a resolution approving the FY26 budget, including transfers of special revenue funds to the general fund. Separately, the council approved a resolution appropriating up to $75,000 to the Gulf Shores Airport Authority for fiscal 2026.

Contracts and professional services: The council adopted resolutions authorizing contracts and professional services for a variety of vendors and consultants, including agreements for golf instruction (Ann Giada), water aerobics instruction (Joan Hill), outside legal counsel retainer agreements, McCall Architecture (architectural services), Socialize Your Business (social media consulting), Bob Bridal and Associates (lobbying services), Sequium Consulting Services, Adams & Reese (federal and state governmental relations), and a performance contract with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. Council also approved a purchase of municipal court furniture for $32,847.64.

Code and policy updates: Council granted unanimous consent and advanced several ordinances on first reading. Those include an ordinance aligning city street-name/address standards with the Baldwin County Emergency Communications District (Baldwin County 911/GIS addressing), an ordinance restating Chapter 42 (Article 2, Division 2, Section 42‑41) to update technical codes for land development, and a measure to adopt updated fire, international building and plumbing codes (moving toward the 2021/2024 editions) that staff said were required by ISO and consistent with surrounding cities. Council also moved to adopt an ordinance reducing the speed limit on a portion of State Highway 182 from 45 mph to 35 mph (milepost 11.55 to 13.13) to permit planting palm trees in medians.

Votes and procedure: Most resolutions and ordinances were moved, seconded and adopted by unanimous roll-call or voice votes with no recorded opposition. The motion to certify cash requirements and related interest payments carried. Council members repeatedly emphasized that changes such as removing a mechanical parking lift and ensuring guest parking rules were communicated to owners had addressed prior concerns in Planning Commission review.

Executive session: Near the meeting's end, the council voted to enter an executive session to discuss pending litigation; a qualified attorney made the requisite declaration and the council stated the session would last approximately 30 minutes and that it would not reconvene afterward.

What passed (select items): FY26 budget adoption; resolution authorizing community events for 2026; contracts with Ann Giada and Joan Hill; update to volunteer firefighters/reserve police list; retainer agreements for outside counsel; appointments to the legislative review committee; taxes within the police jurisdiction for 2026; contracts with McCall Architecture, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Sequium Consulting, Adams & Reese and others; $75,000 appropriation to Gulf Shores Airport Authority; social media and lobbying contracts; municipal court furniture purchase of $32,847.64; first readings for Baldwin County addressing, land development technical code update, building-code updates, and a speed limit reduction on State Highway 182.

Next steps: Many items were adopted on first reading or by resolution and will require administrative follow-up such as contract execution, vendor invoicing, site-plan review where noted, or additional ordinance readings as required by city code.