🌱 Hoover Budget Unveiled For 2024 + Renovated Walmart Grand Opening

Hello there, Hoover. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 92 Low: 66.
• Friday: Partly sunny. High: 88 Low: 63.

Here are the top three stories today in Hoover:

1. Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato unveiled a $174 million budget for fiscal year 2024, a 13 percent increase from 2023, spotlighting infrastructure and parks and recreation projects. The budget, excluding proprietary funds such as the sewer and risk management funds, also includes a substantial $143 million for the city's primary operations, reflecting a 10 percent increase from 2023. Amidst record city revenues, primarily boosted by sales and use taxes, Hoover's Chief Financial Officer Tina Bolt advises a cautious approach for the future, suggesting the current financial surge may not persist. The City Council is set to deliberate on the budget proposal with a vote expected on Sep. 18. (Hoover Sun)
2. The renovated Walmart Neighborhood Market at 3320 Lorna Road is set to reopen tomorrow (Friday, Sep. 8) with an 8:00 a.m. ribbon-cutting event, attended by Mayor Frank Brocato. Highlighting modern enhancements like LED lighting, updated fixtures, and expanded checkout options, store manager Jeffrey Post expressed excitement for customers to witness the store's transformation. This modernization is among several recent Walmart revamps in Alabama. (AL.com)
3. In nearby Pelham, Taco Mac is set to debut its first location outside the state of Georgia in Shelby County, opening tomorrow (Sep. 8) at 10:00 a.m. The Pelham location will feature 43 large HD TVs and a diverse menu, emphasizing its commitment to local beers, including 15-plus brews from Alabama. As the chain prepares for the grand opening, extensive staff training is underway to ensure consistent high-quality service and dining experiences. (Shelby County Reporter)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Hoover:

Thursday, September 7

• Budget Hearing At Hoover City Schools District (8:30 AM)
• Happy Hour At Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill (3:00 PM)

Friday, September 8

• Happy Hour At Chuck's Fish Birmingham, Birmingham (5:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know a teacher making a difference in Hoover? Nominate them here for a Teacher Spotlight on Patch.

From my notebook:

• The Hoover Police Department (HPD) is warning residents of a "claim your award scam" in which victims receive a letter stating they won money from a contest they didn't enter. If you receive a letter such as this in the mail, contact the USPS Postal Inspector Service here or call HPD dispatch at (205) 822-5300. (Hoover (AL) Police Department via Facebook)
• If you're a company, group, or individual looking to participate in the Hoover High School Student Government Association's Sep. 26 homecoming parade, register here and return a waiver by Sep. 14. (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• In the market for a new home? There are multiple open houses happening soon in the Hoover area! Get all the details at the link. (Hoover Patch)
• Through no fault of their own, Chipmunk and Squirrel have returned to the Humane Society of West Alabama's Cat Adoption Center and are once again looking for their forever home! The pair will be adopted together. Click the link to view photos. (Humane Society of West Alabama via Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you soon!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.