Birmingham council members would gain more power over the city’s spending priorities under a proposed bill from a state legislator and former mayoral candidate.

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan has prefilled a bill for the next legislative session in January to give the city council more authority over the city’s budget.

The bill would reverse a move made nearly a decade ago that took those powers from the council and gave them to the mayor.

Another proposed change would give the city council approval authority over department heads that are named by the mayor.

“In order for Birmingham city to function on a better level you have to have a balance of power,” Givan told AL.com. “Most importantly, you cannot have a system of government where the council does not have input into the budget. The

See Full Page