Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley will continue to meet the community's growing needs under the city budget approved for the upcoming fiscal year. The Foley City Council voted Tuesday, Sept. 8, to approve municipal budgets funding capital projects, public safety upgrades, and infrastructure improvements for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the approved budget includes continued municipal improvements across the city.

The Foley City Council voted on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, to approve the municipal budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins Oct. 1, 2026. The new budget projects approximately $75.1 million in recurring General Fund revenue, an increase of about $3.8 million over the current fiscal year's projected total.

Mayor Hellmich highlighted the scale of this year's investment. "In last year's budget, we finished two major projects that cost approximately $38 million, the library and the Public Works Campus, which are outstanding facilities," Hellmich said. "This year's projects amount to about $18 million. That includes the new Aquatic Center, Senior Center, redoing the old library building, redoing the former public works for horticulture and our parks division, and generally making our city more efficient."

City Administrator Mike Thompson noted that Foley's population has grown by 70% over the past decade, but the city has kept pace with that growth without taking on significant debt. "The fact that we've been able to keep our debt at such a relatively low limit for a city of our size is extraordinary," Thompson said. "You don't see that typically when cities are growing at the speed that we see. Most of the time, they're doing it with debt."

Thompson added that Foley will have more than $48 million in its General Fund balance by the end of the current budget year. After planned capital equipment purchases, the balance is expected to fall to $34.4 million — still well above the city's self-imposed minimum of $25.7 million.

"We're well above our minimum fund balance that we self-impose, but it also indicates our intention to use some of our excess general fund money to fund portions of our capital projects," Thompson said.

The 2027 budget includes $7.2 million in capital equipment purchases. That breaks down as follows:

• $1.8 million in fire equipment
• $1.9 million in police equipment
• $1.8 million in public works equipment
• $800,000 in sanitation equipment
• About $900,000 for other city departments

Roads, drainage, and pedestrian improvements remain a major part of the capital plan. The city will continue its street resurfacing program across its roughly 180 miles of roads to establish a sustainable long-range paving cycle. Pedestrian improvements are planned along West Peachtree Avenue, Riviera Boulevard, and South Pecan Street near Parish Lakes—which includes a pedestrian crossing and traffic-calming features. Additionally, a new path along Ninth Avenue will create a direct pedestrian connection between Alabama 59 and Pine Street.

Drainage projects are also on the list. The Graham Creek Estates Drainage Project will address flooding along Palmetto Way, with design work in fiscal year 2027 and construction expected in 2028. The city is also replacing aging pipes in Bay Forest and lining storm drains in areas where standard equipment cannot reach.

Other road projects include ongoing work on Cedar Street and Wilson/Equestrian Park Road, as well as planning for improvements along West Lawson and Pine streets. Drainage improvements are also planned for the Mills community and Beulah Heights.

On the public safety front, the budget includes technology integration for the city's Communications Center to enhance operational awareness, dispatch functions, communications analysis, and training. Looking beyond the upcoming fiscal year, the capital plan identifies a future new Police Headquarters and continued planning for a Northeast Quadrant Fire Station to meet service demands as development expands.

The five-year capital plan also includes major facility investments. The city plans to repurpose the former library building as an administrative annex and has set aside planning funds for a future Civic Center. Capital investments in recreation and accessibility include dedicated equipment and transportation purchases to support municipal parks, nature spaces, sports facilities, and the Foley Senior Center.

The West Orange Avenue Streetscape, running from Alston Street to Pine Street, is included in the budget as a connectivity project. The city is also developing a broader streetscape concept near the Baldwin Health area in north Foley, covering portions of Alston, Peachtree, Rosetta, Camellia, and Pine streets, as well as Alabama 59.

At the Foley Municipal Airport, plans include work on a new terminal building, along with future hangar, drainage, runway, lighting, and signage improvements.

Hellmich said the decisions made now will affect Foley for decades to come. "The goal is not simply to keep up with growth, but to prepare for it," he said. "The decisions we make now will shape how Foley functions five, 10, and 20 years from now. We want to make those decisions carefully and continue investing in the things that make Foley a strong community."