Irondale council approves FY2025–26 budgets, updates water code and raises trash fee
March 04, 2026 | Irondale City, Jefferson County, Alabama
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Irondale — The Irondale City Council on March 2 approved the city’s FY2025–26 budgets, adopted a wholesale rewrite of the municipal water code and approved a $3-per-month increase to residential garbage service that will take effect in April and appear on May bills.
The council unanimously left a package of budgets (general fund, capital, water, E911, court, gas funds and the Rebuild Alabama fund) on the consent calendar and adopted them as read. Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. told the council the general fund projects revenue of about $38.6 million, with a projected surplus of roughly $1.7 million and an $11 million reserve (about 27 percent of projected revenue). The mayor said the city will establish a sinking fund to set aside money for upcoming debt payments.
The council also adopted Ord. 2026-10, which replaces Chapter 18 (water) of the municipal code and implements a new fee schedule based on a third‑party rate study by Jackson Thornton. Jared, a staff presenter, explained the study’s recommendations and walked the council through late-payment and delinquency mechanics; staff confirmed customers have until the 16th of the month before late fees apply and that disconnection is considered at the end of the month.
On solid-waste services, Frank Pennington asked the council for a $3-per-month increase for residential service, citing steep landfill and operating-cost increases. “Our landfill ... went from 26 to $51 in a week’s notice,” Pennington said, describing a run of higher tipping fees, rising equipment and insurance costs, and continued diesel-price pressure. The council discussed options but approved the rate increase; Mayor Stewart characterized the change as equivalent to “10¢ a day for the type of service that we provide.”
Other consent items included a $5,000 service agreement with the Cahaba River Coalition (R-55); an inmate-housing fallback agreement with the Jefferson County sheriff (R-56); and amendments to architect contracts for the Irondale Civic Center and the municipal complex after higher-than-expected bids. Council approved the Gardner Architects amendment to reconcile project expenditures after bids exceeded earlier estimates.
What’s next: The water-code rewrite will move through the city’s ordinance process as adopted; the trash fee increase goes into effect in April and will show on May bills. Council members said they may review amnesty or adjustment policies on a case-by-case basis for customers with documented emergencies or leaks.
Votes at a glance: Ord. 2026-10 (water code rewrite) — adopted (unanimous); Res. 20 26 R-68 (water rate/fee schedule processed as ordinance) — adopted (unanimous); Ord. 2026-11 (garbage/refuse fees) — adopted (unanimous); Ord. 2026-12 (police/emergency management code cleanup) — adopted (unanimous).
The council unanimously left a package of budgets (general fund, capital, water, E911, court, gas funds and the Rebuild Alabama fund) on the consent calendar and adopted them as read. Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. told the council the general fund projects revenue of about $38.6 million, with a projected surplus of roughly $1.7 million and an $11 million reserve (about 27 percent of projected revenue). The mayor said the city will establish a sinking fund to set aside money for upcoming debt payments.
The council also adopted Ord. 2026-10, which replaces Chapter 18 (water) of the municipal code and implements a new fee schedule based on a third‑party rate study by Jackson Thornton. Jared, a staff presenter, explained the study’s recommendations and walked the council through late-payment and delinquency mechanics; staff confirmed customers have until the 16th of the month before late fees apply and that disconnection is considered at the end of the month.
On solid-waste services, Frank Pennington asked the council for a $3-per-month increase for residential service, citing steep landfill and operating-cost increases. “Our landfill ... went from 26 to $51 in a week’s notice,” Pennington said, describing a run of higher tipping fees, rising equipment and insurance costs, and continued diesel-price pressure. The council discussed options but approved the rate increase; Mayor Stewart characterized the change as equivalent to “10¢ a day for the type of service that we provide.”
Other consent items included a $5,000 service agreement with the Cahaba River Coalition (R-55); an inmate-housing fallback agreement with the Jefferson County sheriff (R-56); and amendments to architect contracts for the Irondale Civic Center and the municipal complex after higher-than-expected bids. Council approved the Gardner Architects amendment to reconcile project expenditures after bids exceeded earlier estimates.
What’s next: The water-code rewrite will move through the city’s ordinance process as adopted; the trash fee increase goes into effect in April and will show on May bills. Council members said they may review amnesty or adjustment policies on a case-by-case basis for customers with documented emergencies or leaks.
Votes at a glance: Ord. 2026-10 (water code rewrite) — adopted (unanimous); Res. 20 26 R-68 (water rate/fee schedule processed as ordinance) — adopted (unanimous); Ord. 2026-11 (garbage/refuse fees) — adopted (unanimous); Ord. 2026-12 (police/emergency management code cleanup) — adopted (unanimous).
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