By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE — The Huntsville City Council has approved a $343.7 million operating budget for the 2026 fiscal year, along with two capital improvement budgets, focusing on roadwork, public safety, recreation, and neighborhood redevelopment.
Mayor Tommy Battle’s proposal, which includes $30.4 million for 60 outside agencies and rolls forward $7.8 million in savings from last year, passed Thursday with unanimous support.
“This is a tight budget but it meets the needs of the City and provides valuable services for residents,” Battle said, thanking department heads and council members for their collaboration.
Budget Highlights
Key allocations for FY26 include:
- $500,000 increase for street resurfacing
- $29.25 million for new road construction projects
- 10 additional Huntsville Police Department employees
- Pay raises for Huntsville Police officers, along with a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all city employees
- Renovations at Dr. Richard Showers Sr. Recreation Center and Goldsmith-Schiffman Field
- Major road improvements along Old Big Cove Road, Swancott Road, Winchester Road, Resolute Way (I-565 to Redstone Arsenal), Holmes Avenue, and Old Monrovia Road
- Commercial redevelopment along Memorial Parkway North
- Phase I of the North Huntsville Greenway
- Redevelopment investments for the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (Mill Creek), Cummings Research Park, and Ditto Landing
- Improvements at Huntsville Depot Park
Historical Comparison
The FY26 operating budget represents a 3.2% increase over last year’s $333 million budget, reflecting both Huntsville’s population growth and rising costs for services and infrastructure. Public safety continues to be a top priority, with both new positions and pay increases for police officers built into the plan.
The City’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.