Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed hopeful that city council will pass 2027 budget

Montgomery Mayor Steven reed presents his media briefing, Monday, August 31, 2026 – Photo from City of Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed says he’s hopeful that members of the Montgomery City Council will pass the proposed $373.3 million budget for fiscal year 2027.

The fiscal 2026 budget was $353.2 million.

At a news conference yesterday, Reed said the proposal is balanced, with no projected deficit. He says there is a projected 9% increase in sales tax collections to generate revenue.

The budget includes $126.7 million for police, fire and rescue, Reed said. Other proposed spending includes $29.4 million for sanitation, $14.3 million for street maintenance, $20 million for parks and recreation and $10.5 million for community partners.

With crime a concern for some residents, Reed says crime statistics are trending in the right direction. He says homicides are down 19% this year, violent crime is down 15% and non-violent crime is down 25%. Just as Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys said last week, the city is continuing to work to lower those numbers further, Reed said.

The 2027 fiscal year starts October 1.