Pelham council votes to join SSUT litigation, unanimously approves liquor license
December 15, 2025 | Pelham City, Shelby County, Alabama
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The Pelham City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to authorize the city attorney to join litigation addressing the state’s Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), after staff presented city revenue estimates and the potential local fiscal impact.
City staff presented the resolution and explained SSUT's evolution from an out‑of‑state retailer collection mechanism into a regime that now affects local retailers and deliveries. According to the staff briefing, Pelham’s estimated exposed sales‑tax base led to an estimated FY2025 loss of about $5.5 million; SSUT distributions to local governments totaled roughly $2.2 million, leaving a net estimated shortfall to the city of about $3.3 million. Those figures were presented as staff estimates during the discussion and were not contested at the meeting.
After a motion, second and brief staff explanation, the council approved Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑08 authorizing the city attorney to participate in the litigation led by the City of Tuscaloosa. The motion passed on voice vote with no recorded no votes.
On the same evening the council also approved Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑09, granting an ABC retail liquor (class 2 package) license to Encore Franchises LLC doing business as Gallops Liquors and Spirits at 3569 Pelham Parkway, Suite 10. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance:
• Consent agenda (minutes, agenda, Resolutions 2025‑12‑15‑01 through ‑07): approved by roll call; Lehi, Power, Towns, Snowden, Harris — all Yes.
• Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑08 (SSUT litigation authorization): moved, seconded, passed unanimously (voice vote).
• Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑09 (ABC license for Gallops Liquors and Spirits): moved, seconded, passed unanimously (voice vote).
Public comment included Russell Platt (2233 Richmond Lane) thanking the council for taking action on SSUT. The resolutions carry administrative next steps (city attorney engagement); the council did not debate or amend the staff revenue estimates at the meeting.
City staff presented the resolution and explained SSUT's evolution from an out‑of‑state retailer collection mechanism into a regime that now affects local retailers and deliveries. According to the staff briefing, Pelham’s estimated exposed sales‑tax base led to an estimated FY2025 loss of about $5.5 million; SSUT distributions to local governments totaled roughly $2.2 million, leaving a net estimated shortfall to the city of about $3.3 million. Those figures were presented as staff estimates during the discussion and were not contested at the meeting.
After a motion, second and brief staff explanation, the council approved Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑08 authorizing the city attorney to participate in the litigation led by the City of Tuscaloosa. The motion passed on voice vote with no recorded no votes.
On the same evening the council also approved Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑09, granting an ABC retail liquor (class 2 package) license to Encore Franchises LLC doing business as Gallops Liquors and Spirits at 3569 Pelham Parkway, Suite 10. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance:
• Consent agenda (minutes, agenda, Resolutions 2025‑12‑15‑01 through ‑07): approved by roll call; Lehi, Power, Towns, Snowden, Harris — all Yes.
• Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑08 (SSUT litigation authorization): moved, seconded, passed unanimously (voice vote).
• Resolution 2025‑12‑15‑09 (ABC license for Gallops Liquors and Spirits): moved, seconded, passed unanimously (voice vote).
Public comment included Russell Platt (2233 Richmond Lane) thanking the council for taking action on SSUT. The resolutions carry administrative next steps (city attorney engagement); the council did not debate or amend the staff revenue estimates at the meeting.
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