Foley city officials have released a new, streamlined look at municipal finances, offering residents a clearer picture of how public funds are collected and spent.

The 2026 edition of Foley’s Popular Annual Financial Report is now available online and in select public offices. The report condenses more than 200 pages of audited financial data into a 14-page overview designed for easier public understanding.

“This is designed to make our financials more understandable,” said Miranda Bell, Foley financial services director. “The general public can look at this report and understand where the money came from and how it was spent.”

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the shorter format makes complex financial information more accessible to residents.

“What makes this report so good is that it places information on the level where people can really understand, instead of something that's three inches thick,” Hellmich said.

Hellmich also credited the city’s Finance Department for its work preparing the report each year.

During the 2025 fiscal year, Foley reported about $100 million in total spending. Capital projects accounted for the largest share at $33 million, funding road improvements, upgrades to parks and recreation facilities, land purchases and construction of a new library and public works campus.

Public safety represented the second-largest expense, totaling $20 million. Additional spending areas included culture and recreation, highways and streets, economic development, general government and debt service.

On the revenue side, sales and local taxes made up the largest portion at 52.7% of total income. Other sources included utility tax equivalents, licenses and permits and investment income.

The report also outlines key service and community metrics from the past year. The Foley Police Department responded to 27,847 calls, while the Foley Public Library logged 122,231 visits and circulated 330,047 items. Sports Tourism events drew a combined attendance of 208,000.

Economic indicators in the report show continued growth. Foley’s median family income rose to $66,336 in 2025, up from $43,614 in 2020. The city’s unemployment rate declined from 2.9% in 2024 to 2.3% in 2025.

Foley’s Popular Annual Financial Report has earned the Government Finance Officers Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for six consecutive years.

The city has also received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

Hellmich said earning all three honors — known as the “Triple Crown” — is rare among Alabama municipalities.

“There are 465 cities and only five receive this. I think we're one of two in Baldwin County,” Hellmich said. “That's a high honor. These are very high standards to achieve.”

The report and additional financial documents, including the city budget, are available at https://cityoffoley.org/finance/.