Hoover Department Heads Pitch Million-Dollar Budget Requests for 2026: Police, Fire, Parks Among Top Priorities
HOOVER, Ala. – With new city leadership set to take office in November, Hoover’s department heads lined up this week with their wish lists—and some of them carried seven-figure price tags.
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In a marathon budget session, officials from police, fire, 911 operations, and parks and recreation spelled out their 2026 funding needs, asking for everything from high-tech upgrades to new vehicles and major facility renovations.
Mayor-elect Nick Derzis said the timing of the meeting was intentional:
The Big-Ticket Requests
911 Operations: A $1.1 million investment in technology and software upgrades to modernize emergency response.
Hoover Met Facilities: A hefty $1.68 million proposal for field renovations, designed to keep the city’s signature sports complex competitive.
Police Department: Norman McDuffey outlined a layered request—$79,000 for a new drone and software, $350,000 for updated body cameras, and $360,000 for six new police vehicles.
Fire Department: Chief Clay Bentley made one of the largest asks of the day: a $1.2 million fire engine replacement. He also flagged a staffing shortage, noting Hoover has just 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 residents, a ratio he called “concerning.”
Transparency in the Spotlight
Hoover’s Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Cornett emphasized that the hearing wasn’t just about dollars it was about accountability.
“From a transparency standpoint, it was very important to council that every department request be clearly communicated in the public hearing.
What’s Next?
With competing million-dollar needs on the table, the new administration faces a balancing act: investing in growth and safety without overextending the budget. Derzis said his goal is to deliver a final budget before Jan. 1, 2026, giving Hoover a fresh start under new leadership and a clear financial roadmap.
The Bigger Picture
This year’s budget talks reflect more than numbers—they highlight Hoover’s growing pains as a city. Between expanding emergency services, maintaining major facilities like the Hoover Met, and keeping up with technology, Hoover’s leaders are being asked to do more than just balance the books. They’re being asked to define the city’s priorities for the next decade.
