Foley Budget Reflects Continued Growth

The City of Foley has announced its budget, which reflects continued growth in revenue that city officials plan to use for more capital projects. Going into effect October 1, the start of the city’s 2024 fiscal year, it shows an increase in revenue over the last fiscal year, from $56.58 million to $64.83 million. City Administrator Mike Thompson said that, while city income grew more than expected, expenses stayed close to budgeted projections. The revenue, Mayor Ralph Hellmich said, will allow the city to continue to work to accommodate Foley’s growth. “One way of doing that is to reinvest the excess monies that are coming in from a really great economy back into the infrastructure, the amenities and all of the things that we have to do to make Foley be successful,” he said. The budget includes plans to start capital improvement projects with an estimated cost of approximately $72 million. Thompson said some of those projects were postponed in 2023. He added that the city also plans to increase its staff from approximately 376 to 405, a number that could increase to 414 if the city’s request for a grant to allow nine additional firefighters is approved.