Prichard mayor says city has failed to collect millions in taxes, fees
Prichard, Alabama Mayor Carletta Davis proposed a city budget that includes anticipated revenue from a new Edged data center project to address uncollected taxes. However, the City Council expressed reservations about relying on revenue from a proposed project and subsequently reduced the budget, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the data center's finalization.
Prichard, Alabama, Mayor Carletta Davis has presented a new city budget to the Prichard City Council, aiming to finalize the city's financial plan while simultaneously considering a contract with Mobile County for law enforcement services. During a recent finance committee meeting, Mayor Davis highlighted that the city has historically failed to collect millions in potential revenue from sources like franchise fees and municipal taxes on lodging and gas, with the gas tax alone estimated to generate $500,000 annually.
The Mayor's proposed 2026-27 budget projected $21.8 million in revenue, partly relying on anticipated income from the $93 million Edged data center project. Davis projected $90,000 in annual property tax revenue and a 46% increase in sales tax revenue, primarily attributed to the data center. However, City Councilwoman Annie Williams and other council members expressed skepticism about incorporating revenue from a "proposed project" into the budget, citing uncertainty about its realization and timeline.
Consequently, the council agreed to reduce the proposed budget to $19 million, opting not to rely on the data center's potential revenue. The council also deferred discussion on a $1.2 million contract with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office for patrols, pending legal guidance, as Prichard works to rebuild its police department. The city has reportedly been operating under an outdated $13.9 million budget while spending approximately $17 million annually.