Fairhope Budget Focuses On Officers, Water Improvements

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fairhope has earmarked millions of dollars in public safety and utility improvements from its budget, one of its largest in years due to high growth, NBC reported. The hiring of four additional police officers and 10 new water or wastewater treatment employees is included in the city’s 2023 budget of nearly $130 million, which has been increased approximately $15 million from last year. Additionally, new police and city vehicles are to be purchased, and roughly $43 million in improvements to electricity, water and wastewater management are planned. These include a 24-inch water line to run down Fairhope Avenue, as well as a sewer force main from Highways 104 and 181. Mayor Sherry Sullivan said the hope is that the new improvements, some of which will be paid for using RESTORE Act funds, will reduce the city’s issues of stretched infrastructure that has resulted from its growth. Fairhope’s budget also includes road resurfacing and drainage projects to reduce flooding.