The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a one-time premium payment of $5,000 for city employees. Mayor Randall Woodfin praised the council’s passage of the plan.
“Neighborhood revitalization, public safety and economic growth all depend on the work of our city employees,” Woodfin said. “I am pleased to have the support of the council in moving forward with premium pay to support our employees who continue to serve through this pandemic. I want to thank Councilors Hunter Williams, Valerie Abbott, President William Parker, President Pro Tempore Wardine Alexander and each member of the council for moving forward in support of our employees who serve our city. Together, we are building a stronger Birmingham.”
Employers in Jefferson County have been struggling to find quality employees, so retaining workers has been a top priority of employers, both in government and in the private sector.
The proposed payment will now be considered by the Jefferson County Personnel Board.
Woodfin also announced that more than 200 roads will be repaved under the mayor’s proposed 2022 operating budget.
The proposed $455 million budget is the largest in the history of the City of Birmingham. The $455-million proposed operating budget would support neighborhood revitalization, provides merit and longevity pay and a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment for employees.
“I’m happy to state that this budget has made everyone whole … our employees are made whole, neighborhood revitalization has been made whole, and boards and agencies have been made whole,” Woodfin said.
The city of Birmingham held a public hearing on the proposed budget on Tuesday where the public could watch online at the city council’s Facebook page.
The city of Birmingham is holding a general election for mayor on Aug. 24, 2021. If necessary, the runoff elections are scheduled for Oct. 5, 2021. The filing deadline for the Birmingham city elections is July 10, 2021. Birmingham has an elected school board in addition to the City Council. Woodfin is one of several candidates who has announced their candidacy for mayor.
Birmingham has been the largest city in the state of Alabama for over a hundred years, but that position could soon be surpassed by Huntsville which has been growing at a rocket pace over the last 20 years.
