Council reviews FY26 budget amendments and midyear adjustments after sales-tax shortfall noted

Anniston’s city council reviewed a package of FY26 budget amendments and midyear adjustments at a work session, including grant recognitions and an accounting adjustment after staff said sales tax revenue had been understated by almost $1 million.

Miss Leonard, who explained the midyear adjustments, said the amendments reconcile understated or overstated project budgets, salary changes, promotions and emergency expenditures and allow transfers between departments where needed. “Sales tax was understated by almost a million dollar,” she said, adding the adjustments are intended to bring budget lines in line with projected revenues and expenses.

The council also agreed to recognize a grant to support the Long Leaf Botanical Gardens and Museum’s Outdoor Trail Master Plan and to appropriate donated funds for CART’s youth athletics and track programs. No votes were recorded during the work session on these items; the chair indicated the amendments will appear on the next regular meeting agenda for formal action.

Separately, council discussed a grant to the police department to support a drone team. Staff described the initial training as focused on officers, with an estimated five to seven licensed operators to be trained; possible future partnerships with schools were mentioned as a later option.

The session included routine cash reimbursements: a $964.70 fuel reimbursement to Willie Pearson (public works) tied to attendance at an annual conference, and travel/certification reimbursement for Aaron Norris (planning and economic development representative). The chair said these reimbursements will be included in the consent agenda at the council’s next meeting.

The meeting closed this portion of the agenda without formal votes; items will return on the next regular meeting agenda for action.