Foley is preparing for another year of growth with a budget that puts millions of dollars toward new facilities, road work, drainage, public safety and equipment while maintaining the city's financial reserves.

Foley City Council approved the municipal budget Tuesday, Sept. 8, for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city has moved from completing major construction projects to tackling another round of improvements. The previous year's budget included approximately $38 million for the new library and Public Works Campus. This year's projects total about $18 million.

"In last year's budget, we finished two major projects that cost approximately $38 million, the library and the Public Works Campus, which are outstanding facilities. " Hellmich said. "This year's projects amount to about $18 million. That includes the new Aquatic Center, Senior Center, redoing the old library building, redoing the former public works for horticulture and our parks division and generally making our city more efficient."

The spending comes as Foley's population has climbed 70% during the past decade. City Administrator Mike Thompson said Foley has managed to expand its services without taking on additional debt.

"The fact that we've been able to keep our debt at such a relatively low limit for a city of our size is extraordinary. You don't see that typically when cities are growing at the speed that we see. Most of the time, they're doing it with debt," Thompson said. "The simple fact is that we're able to hold our debt where it's at, while our city just continues to grow and the revenue grows, the population grows. Those ratios just get better and better because of what we're able to do.

The city's financial position also will allow it to put reserves toward some of its capital needs.

Foley expects to finish the current budget year with more than $48 million in its General Fund balance. After planned capital equipment purchases, that balance is projected to fall to $34.4 million, still comfortably above the city's self-imposed minimum of $25.7 million.

"We're well above our minimum fund balance that we self-impose, but it also indicates our intention to use some of our excess general fund money to fund portions of our capital projects," Thompson said.

The fiscal 2027 budget anticipates approximately $75.1 million in recurring General Fund revenue, about $3.8 million more than the projected total for the current fiscal year.

EQUIPMENT PURCHASES TARGET CITY SERVICES

A significant portion of the new spending will go toward replacing and adding equipment across city departments.

The budget provides $7.2 million for capital equipment. Fire services are slated to receive $1.8 million, while police equipment accounts for $1.9 million. Public Works has $1.8 million earmarked for equipment and sanitation has $800,000. Another approximately $900,000 will cover capital equipment needs in other departments.

Those investments are part of a broader effort to make sure city operations can keep pace with Foley's expansion.

ROADS AND DRAINAGE REMAIN MAJOR PRIORITIES

The city's transportation network also will see continued investment. Foley maintains about 180 miles of roads and will continue its long-term resurfacing program, with the new budget covering both design and paving.

The city is using long-range pavement planning to develop a sustainable resurfacing cycle as more roads are added to the network.

Several projects will improve pedestrian access and connections between neighborhoods and major roads. Planned work includes pedestrian improvements on West Peachtree Avenue, Ninth Avenue and South Pecan Street near Parish Lakes, as well as a sidewalk along Riviera Boulevard.

South Pecan Street is slated for a pedestrian crossing and traffic-calming improvements. The Ninth Avenue project would establish a pedestrian connection between Alabama 59 and Pine Street.

Drainage work will take place in several parts of the city. The Graham Creek Estates Drainage Project is intended to address structural flooding along Palmetto Way. Design is scheduled for fiscal 2027, with construction expected in fiscal 2028.

Foley also plans to replace aging pipes in Bay Forest and install specialized lining inside storm drain pipes in locations where conventional equipment cannot be used.

The Mills community is scheduled for drainage improvements while sidewalk work is underway. In Beulah Heights, drainage upgrades will continue following the completion of the downstream detention basin.

Road projects will continue on Cedar Street and Wilson/Equestrian Park Road. The city also will plan future improvements to West Lawson and Pine streets.

PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS LOOK BEYOND THE NEXT YEAR

Public safety spending extends beyond equipment.

The city's Communications Center will receive technology upgrades designed to improve operational awareness, dispatch capabilities, communications analysis and training.

Foley also is planning for facilities that will be needed as development spreads into new parts of the city. The long-term capital plan includes a future Police Headquarters and continued planning for a Northeast Quadrant Fire Station.

CITY FACILITIES GET ANOTHER ROUND OF INVESTMENT

Foley's facility needs are also part of the long-term spending plan.

The Public Works Campus remains a major multi-year undertaking, with approximately $17.9 million in total planned investment. The facility will support the department responsible for maintaining a large portion of the city's expanding infrastructure.

The city's five-year plan also sets aside planning funds for a future Civic Center.

Meanwhile, Foley plans to give the former library building a new purpose. The structure will be converted into an administrative annex, allowing city departments to gain additional office space without building an entirely new facility.

STREETSCAPES AND RECREATION PROJECTS RESHAPE ESTABLISHED AREAS

The city is also directing money toward projects intended to improve the appearance and connectivity of existing areas.

One project will extend the West Orange Avenue Streetscape from Alston Street to Pine Street. Foley is also planning additional streetscape work in other parts of the city.

In north Foley, officials are developing a broader streetscape concept around the Baldwin Health area. The proposed area includes portions of Alston, Peachtree, Rosetta, Camellia and Pine streets as well as Alabama 59. The current design work is the first stage of a project expected to span multiple years.

The budget also provides equipment and transportation investments for parks, nature parks, sports facilities and the Foley Senior Center.

AIRPORT AND OTHER LONG-RANGE PROJECTS REMAIN ON THE HORIZON

Foley's planning process looks well beyond the projects that will be completed during the next fiscal year.

City officials use a multi-year capital plan to estimate not only construction and equipment costs but also the future personnel and operating expenses associated with new investments.

That planning includes additional police and fire facilities, road resurfacing, drainage work, airport improvements, streetscapes, pedestrian connections and community facilities.

At Foley Municipal Airport, the city will continue planning for a new terminal. Future improvements also include hangars, drainage, the runway, lighting and signage.

Hellmich said the city's approach is intended to anticipate growth rather than simply react to it.

"The goal is not simply to keep up with growth, but to prepare for it," Hellmich said. "The decisions we make now will shape how Foley functions five, 10 and 20 years from now. We want to make those decisions carefully and continue investing in the things that make Foley a strong community."