Mayor Sullivan outlines $183 million budget and major infrastructure projects in State of the City

Mayor Sherry Sullivan presented Fairhope City's 2026 State of the City address, announcing a newly adopted $183,000,000 budget and a slate of capital projects aimed at water, utilities, streets and parks.

Sullivan opened by thanking residents and staff and recognized council members and event organizers before reviewing 2025 accomplishments, including the opening of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve and upgrades at the Mike Ford Tennis Center. "It truly takes a village to make Fairhope the special place that it is," Sullivan said.

The city reported multiple active and upcoming infrastructure projects. Sullivan said the Section Street force-main restoration, described in the address as nearly $14,000,000, is wrapping up. She also cited ongoing cast-iron gas-line replacement and the start of an underground 44 kV loop project. Quail Creek golf facilities, downtown repaving and the working-waterfront pier renovation were listed among completed or ongoing works.

Sullivan announced the city passed a $183,000,000 budget that includes capital spending and utility funding. She credited Finance Director Kim Creech and staff for managing the budget. The mayor also said the city manages about $16,000,000 in federal grants that help fund these projects.

On housing and code enforcement, Sullivan said the council recently adopted an ordinance to address abandoned homes and create a legal process for remediation while protecting property rights. Details on the ordinance's text and implementation steps were not provided during the address.

The mayor described a range of public-safety and community investments: new police vehicles and design work for a precinct near State Route 181, plans to relocate and reconfigure dispatch within the current building, property secured for a future fire station on 181, and continued volunteer-fire-department support.

Sullivan also summarized recreation investments: the city acquired the Barn Wolf Football Complex from the Archdiocese to house Fairhope Youth Football and plans facility renovations across parks, athletic fields and the rec center.

She closed by encouraging residents to report potholes and maintenance needs, pointing to public works and the city engineer's office as sources for resurfacing schedules and contact points.

The mayor opened a short Q&A after the address, including updates on roundabout lighting, a parking study under way and tree removals tied to hurricane damage and pine-beetle infestations. The event concluded with an invitation to continue conversations at department tables and with refreshments.

What happens next: Sullivan said many projects will span multiple years and depend on design, grant timing and contractor schedules. No additional votes or ordinance details were taken at the event.