Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville City Council voted to approve its $117.2 million Fiscal Year 2026 Budget at their meeting, Oct. 7, 2025, despite public concerns.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026, this budget includes a general operating fund, gas tax special revenue fund, debt service fund, capital projects fund, sanitation enterprise fund, wastewater enterprise fund, and judicial special revenue fund.
“I attended the budget work session last week, and there were a lot of questions posed by many councilors,” said Jackie Nix, a Prattville resident. “For instance, it was brought up that we are level funding education when everyone ran their campaign on education being top priority, so I think we need to have some adjustments.”
The city’s FY 2026 budget allocates 25% — about $2.1 million — of the One Cent Sales Tax to education-related expenses. That is the same percentage allocated in the FY 2025 budget, according to the mayor’s annual budget presentations.
“I encourage you to vote no on the current proposal simply because there is no increase in funding for the Autauga County Board of Education,” said Daniel Woodman, another Prattville resident. “I have also sent you a 15-minute video explaining how you can possibly reallocate the One Cent Sales Tax.”
Following public comments, Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie approached the podium for his report, where he provided a response about the FY 2026 Budget.
“This is a living document and a roadmap for our future, which reflects the real needs of our departments and ensures that essential services continue at the high level our citizens deserve,” said Gillespie. “It supports the very people that keep our city moving forward by providing both merit and cost-of-living raises.”
District 5 Councilor Michael Whaley asked Gillespie whether education funding had changed. Gillespie said it had not, explaining that it is under contract and can be amended at a later date.
“I would like to point out that it is vital to our departments and our employees to have a budget to operate from, but I think it is equally as vital to this council to have that budget well in advance enough, so that when we receive it, we don’t just have right at two weeks before the works session and one week before we are asked to vote on it,” said Whaley.
District 2 Councilor Marcus Jackson opposed adopting the budget in its current form, citing concerns from his constituents about a lack of clarity and transparency.
“My comments this evening are not in opposition to the departments, but in support of ensuring the resources and policies we approve are transparent, equitable, and in the best interest of all Prattville citizens,” said Jackson.
There was no further discussion from the council following Jackson’s opposition, so the FY 2026 Budget was brought to a vote.
It passed with yes votes from all council members except Jackson. District 6 Councilor Robert Strichik was absent.
To watch the full council meeting, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y4MwcQuRNQ.
