SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council approved an ordinance addressing the feeding of wild or feral dogs in the Hwy 280 “Corridor Business District” and adopted the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget during its meeting on Tuesday evening, Sept. 15.
The council met in the Faye Hosey Chambers of City Hall following position interviews and a work session.
Council members voted 3-2 to adopt Ordinance 2290-26, which addresses the feeding of wild or feral dogs on Hwy 280.
The council also voted 3-2 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society for services associated with Resolution 56-2026, which outlines the city’s proposed plan for addressing wild or feral dogs.
Council President Tiffany Nix and council members Greer Wright Bisignani and Nate Brewer voted in favor of both measures. Council members Laura Barlow Heath and Tim Vincent voted against them.
The council also conducted a series of votes related to the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which takes effect Oct. 1, 2026.
The council adopted the FY2027 budget for the City of Sylacauga excluding revenues and expenditures associated with the Sylacauga City Schools Board of Education. A separate vote was held regarding the school system because Brewer recused himself from matters involving the Board of Education due to his employment with the school system.
Brewer also recused himself from a vote to enter into an FY2027 appropriation contract with Sylacauga City Schools for a total annual amount of $1 million. Of that amount, $81,000 is designated for special education.
Brewer participated in the council’s other budget votes.
As part of the FY2027 budget actions, the council ratified a funding agreement for Lake Howard with the Sylacauga Utilities Board requiring a minimum matching contribution of $50,000.
The council also approved FY2027 appropriation contracts with several local organizations and governmental entities:
Isabel Anderson Comer Museum and Arts Center — not to exceed $87,300.
The Arc of South Talladega County — $45,000.
Commercial Development Authority — not to exceed $77,249.
Sylacauga Arts Council for “Sylacauga’s Magic of Marble Festival” — $5,000.
Sylacauga Historical Commission — not to exceed $3,500.
Sylacauga Beautification Council — not to exceed $12,500.
The Feral Dogs of Avondale Mills — $6,000.
Palmer Place — $10,000.
Coosa Valley Rescue Squad — not to exceed $5,650.
Talladega County Juvenile Court — not to exceed $35,500.
Talladega County Health Department — $18,000.
Talladega, Clay, and Randolph (TCR) Child Care Corporation — $5,000.
Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce — $52,000.
Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force — $87,087.
Sylacauga Airport Authority — not to exceed $65,000.
Sylacauga Industrial Development Board — $63,750.
The council also approved specialized departmental expenses included in the FY2027 budget for B.B. Comer Memorial Library, Sylacauga Parks and Recreation, the Sylacauga Civil Service Board, the city attorney, municipal judge, city prosecutor, and two public defenders.
In other business, the council approved the remaining balance of 160 vacation hours for Building Services Director Mike Whetstone.
The council also approved Fiscal Year 2026 accounts payable invoices totaling $865,042.86 and August 2026 payrolls totaling $518,606.24.
The next Sylacauga City Council meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
