Orange Beach Council to Vote on 2026 Events and Budget
John Mullen • December 2, 2025
Meeting moved to earlier time for Wharf tree lighting ceremony
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Ringing in the new year will mean ringing in a whole new slate of events in Orange Beach. The city council will consider a resolution authorizing the city to once again support events in the city. Among those are the annual Christmas tree lighting planned after the upcoming council meeting and included in events for 2026.
The council will consider the list at a joint regular/work session on Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. The meeting has been moved from 5 p.m. so the council and citizens can attend the tree lighting at The Wharf at 5:30 p.m.
“The city hosts certain annually held events for the benefit of its citizens and visitors, specifically, the City Mardi Gras Parade, the Art Festival, the Seafood Fest at The Wharf, Parks and Recreation Month Events, Live at Waterfront Park Music Series, Freedom Fest at The Wharf and the City Christmas Tree Lighting Event at The Wharf,” the resolution states. “These events are important to the local economy as well as to the general welfare and spirit of the community.”
During the regular session, the council will also discuss:
- Paying $1.5 million for goods and services from Nov. 20-Dec. 3.
- A liquor license for the Driftwood Oyster Bar going in the old Flying Harpoon II on beach road. Duck’s Diner owners are opening the restaurant.
- A liquor license for Old Salt to be located in the old Stephan’s place in the Walmart shopping center.
- Authorizing a contract with Computer Backup to “provide technology support and managed services.” The contract will be for two years starting Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2027.
- An agreement with Baldwin County Emergency Communication District to provide E-911 addressing services in the city for $10,213 from the Community Development budget.
- Awarding the bid for phase one of the Contorno Park trails park. According to the agenda, Asphalt Services, Inc. had the lowest conforming bid at $255,252.
See related story: Orange Beach Moves Ahead With New Civic Center Plan - Offering city employees a one-time payment for future services including $500 for full-time employees and $250 for part-time or temporary employees. This typically takes the place of an annual Christmas bonus.
- Awarding a $692,725 bid to Seay, Seay & Litchfield for the design of the new civic center to be built on Canal Road. According to the agenda, the total cost of the project is expected to be about $11 million. See related story: Orange Beach Moves Ahead With New Civic Center Plan
- Appointing Ryan Long as a regular member and Paul McGhee as supernumerary to the Board of Adjustment. Long will finish Greg Kennedy’s term who was appointed to the planning commission. McGhee will take over Long’s former position as supernumerary on the board.
- Joining a lawsuit challenging a plan to void state panhandling and begging statutes concerning rights of way on public roads. “Panhandling and begging are viewed as an indicator of social deterioration and crime within the community. These public perceptions negatively impact tourism and business activity, overall causing a decrease in economic prosperity. The City of Orange Beach depends heavily on revenues from tourism,” the agenda states. The city will authorize upto $15,000, if this is approved, to be a part of the lawsuit.
- Authorize a contract with GeoCon Engineering & Materials Testing for geotechnical exploration and engineering services for a new pool at the Aquatics Center for $5,200.
- Authorizing a contract with Baldwin Health Medical Group and Primary and Urgent Care to “provide healthcare plan services established by the city for its employees, covered spouses and dependents enrolled in the city’s health plan.”
- Authorizing a medical services agreement with Southern Rapid Healthcare.
- Approving the fiscal year 2026 budget including transferring special revenue funds totaling $403,000 to the general fund for special projects.
- Authorizing a contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama to renew the employee health plan.
- Purchasing stop-loss insurance for the city “to cap major medical claim exposure at $200,000 per claim for Fiscal Year 2026.”
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Appointing a member to the Orange Beach Board of Education. The deadline for applications was Nov. 21.
- Waiving fees for the Orange Beach Shooting Complex for a fundraiser to benefit the United States Police Canine Association K-9 trials in Orange Beach on Feb. 8-12.
- Authorizing a contract with Anne Gajda for golf instruction. Gajda will be able to use the city’s golf center in exchange for 20 hours of instruction for the Expect Excellence program and city schools.
- A resolution for a contract with Joan Hill for water aerobics instruction at the Aquatic Center.
- Updating the list of volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers covered by the city’s workers’ compensation insurance.
- Authorizing contracts for outside counsel for the city in 2026, including Spencer E. Davis as city prosecutor, Paul Woodall of Birmingham to represent the city in real estate and other business transactions, David Canupp of Huntsville to help the city on issues of sign ordinances, employment law and other services and the firm of Galloway, Wettermark & Rutens for specialized legal services.
- Appointing members to the city’s Legislative Review Committee to monitor legislation affecting the city.
- Authorizing the city to levy taxes within the police jurisdiction during 2026.
- A contract with retired city employee Chris Litton for special services including management of audio production, firearms training and youth shooting sports organization, disaster recovery and veterans’ programs.
- Resolutions to extend the entertainment districts at The Wharf and San Roc Cay/Perdido Beach Resort.
- A contract with McCollough Architecture for architectural services for two years beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2026.
- A contract with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance for 2026.
- Making a yearly appropriation to Gulf Shores International Airport for $75,000.
- A contract with Socialize Your Bizness for social media consulting and marketing services.
- Authorizing lobbying contracts with Bob Riley and Associates for $120,000 for 2026 for state issues and Van Scoyoc Associates for $72,000 for 2026 for federal issues.
- Setting a public hearing date on an ordinance change to the planned unit development for The Oasis at Orange Beach, formerly Phoenix West II to allow for a new sign at the complex. The suggested date was Jan. 6.
- Setting a public hearing date for an ordinance change to the Hotel Orange Beach planned unit development to rezone the property from multi-family residential high density to planned unit development. Developers plan to add to the former Romar Baptist Church and convert it into a 100-room hotel. The suggested date was Dec. 16.
- Updating the ordinance on technical codes for land development.
- Reducing the speed limit on Perdido Beach Boulevard from 45 mph to 35 mph between mile marker 11.55 to 13.13.
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