Mayor outlines budget surplus, announces downtown park and Liberty Day plans

Mayor Alyssa Davis used her semiannual report to give the council an update on the city budget, capital projects and summer events.

"Our general fund revenues are around $300,000 more than what we budgeted," the mayor said, adding that general fund expenses are running roughly $1,360,000 less than budgeted. She attributed the larger variances in other funds to timing and work on the wastewater treatment plant project, which the mayor said started in 2024 and whose first phase should be finished by the end of the month.

The mayor announced a privately supported downtown park to connect Main Street with Old Mill Square Park that will include a public restroom, a pavilion and ADA-accessible playground equipment. The project has received private contributions and, the mayor said, "a grant that actually just came in today from our state legislative representative Corley Ellis." The administration set a goal to have the park completed by Liberty Day.

Mayor Davis also described plans for Columbiana’s Liberty Day 2026, part of a "Summer of Celebrations" tied to local and national anniversaries. She said the parade start time will move to 11 a.m. to avoid heat and the evening concert and fireworks will take place at Old Mill Square Park for this year to keep visitors downtown longer for vendors and performances.

Council and staff discussed ongoing safety enforcement related to loud trucks and said the golf-cart policy will be postponed to allow more public input and ensure safety measures are in place before the policy returns to an agenda for readings in May or June.

The mayor closed by thanking staff and community partners for their work on capital projects and events.