FAQs
Business Licenses & Taxes
The issuance fee is the amount the City is allowed to charge for issuing a license to cover administrative expenses. Effective with the 2013 license year this fee will be $12.00.
Most business licenses are based on the gross receipts of a business. New businesses estimate their gross receipts for the remainder of the calendar year. This amount may be adjusted at the end of the year if necessary. The rate schedule will vary by the type of business.
Business licenses for new businesses are due by the first opening day of business.
Business licenses for existing businesses are due by February 15th of each year. Any renewals on or after February 16, 2022 will have a 15% penalty. Any renewals on or after March 16, 2022 will have a 30% penalty added to the total license cost.
These taxes are collected directly by the City. Lodging taxes (effective immediately) and rental/lease taxes (effective October 1, 2013) may be filed online at My Alabama Taxes at the same you file your State of Alabama taxes or you may file by mail using one of the available Business Licenses & Taxes forms.
City Sales and Use Tax may be filed online at My Alabama Taxes at the same time you file your State of Alabama taxes. If you need to contact The Alabama Department of Revenue concerning filing your City Sales and Use Tax, you may by phone 1.866.576.6531 or by emailing onespot@revenue.alabama.gov.
These taxes are collected directly by the City. The return forms may be downloaded from this site or you may call 256-329-6720 and request one to be mailed or emailed to you.
Any person or entity desiring to conduct a trade or provide services within the city limits or police jurisdiction of the City of Alexander City is required to register with the City of Alexander City.
City Clerk
Call Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Office: (256) 234-3264 or (256) 825-4266
Contacting Police
To ensure a rapid police response when you need it, the Alexander City Police Department has a call priority system. High priority calls consist of reports of crimes where lives may be endangered or in progress or those recently committed where there is a chance of apprehending a criminal. As the call taker is asking questions, the information is being made available to the dispatchers for relay to the police officer. It is important to continue talking with the call taker, answering questions and providing additional information as accurately as possible.
When 911 is dialed and the calling party hangs up, an officer is sent to the address. With the 911 system the address of the telephone from where the call is being made appears on the call taker’s computer terminal. Please ensure that your children do not play with your telephone. Lower priority calls consist of reports of property crimes that occurred some time ago and suspects have left the scene. These calls are dispatched based on available police units, and may even be handled by telephone.
- Dial 9-1-1 for life threatening emergencies ONLY!
- For non-emergencies or to ask questions, call (256) 234-3421.
- Quickly describe why you are calling.
- Give your name, address, and phone number.
- Give detailed suspect or vehicle description and last known location or direction of travel.
- Stay calm. Remain on the phone to give any additional information.
- When in doubt call 911.
All accident reports can be obtained by visiting www.buycrash.com. All other police reports may be obtained at the Police Department.
If you suspect that a crime is being or is about to be committed, please dial 911. You need not give your name. However, if you want a police officer to contact you, give your name, address, and telephone number and advise the Dispatcher that you would like to meet with an officer.
To obtain information regarding warrants, please contact the Court Clerk at 256-329-6750.
If you have an non-emergency, please call (256) 234-3421. If you call the Dispatch Center with a situation that is not deemed to be an emergency, you will be referred to the non-emergency line. The following are examples of non-emergencies:
- Power outages
- Barking dogs
- Loud parties or music
- Non-injury accidents including non-injury hit and runs
- Parking violations
- Requests for information
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Time-delayed reports with no suspect information such as home burglary, vehicle burglary, and assault reports
- A stranger around your neighbor’s house or a strange vehicle parked near your neighbor’s home.
- The sound of breaking glass.
- Anyone peering into vehicles or removing tags, gasoline, or auto parts.
- An improperly parked car, or a parked car with someone in it who seems out of place.
- Someone carrying property such as TVs, stereos, or tools that can be used to break into homes
- Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle or street corner.
- A constant flow of strangers to and from a particular house on a regular basis, especially during late evening hours.
- Persons involved in a fight or any explosion or scream.
- A stranger knocking on doors (burglars sometimes knock at the door first to see if anyone is at home).
- Recurring appearances of a strange vehicle in the neighborhood.
- Persons standing around, possibly acting as lookouts.
- A Dispatcher will answer the call and ask you what type of emergency you have. Remember to:
- Answer all questions
- Remain calm
- Stay on the line
- Do not hang up until the Dispatcher advises you to do so.
- When you call 911 from a landline, your address, telephone number and billing person's name is automatically displayed on our computer-aided dispatch system. Dispatchers will ask you for this information to verify it. If you are calling from a cell phone number, you will need to provide all of this information to the Dispatcher.
If you have a need for a Police Officer and it is NOT an emergency, then please use our non-emergency phone number (256) 234-3421.
If you observe suspicious activity, even though you may not be the only witness, take the initiative and call the Police. Do not rely on someone else to act – this may never happen. You could be the only caller, and police questioning the individuals seen lurking in or repeatedly traveling through areas often deters crimes.
Many people fail to act because they are not sure if what they are observing is worth reporting or afraid of retaliation. When in doubt, call the Police immediately. Don’t lose precious time discussing the event with friends or neighbors first.
- What You Need to Know About 911
- 911 is a 3-digit telephone number that you can call 24 hours a day for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
- 911 should only be used for life-threatening emergencies or in-progress crimes.
- 911 Fast Facts
- 911 calls are answered within 4 seconds on average.
- Dispatchers receive over 4,000 calls annually.
- If you are calling from a landline, 911 instantly gives dispatchers the caller's phone number and address
- The center is staffed, by our friendly, dedicated Dispatchers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Cell phone users can also make 911 calls directly from their cell phones
Engineer
The city discourages the use of "children playing" signs on streets because the city does not condone playing on or near city streets.
The only accurate way is to refer to your property deed for a legal description of your property boundaries. Significantly less accurate, observation of utilities and other public services will sometimes "indicate" the right of way.
Please contact the City Building Department to initiate the development process or ask any questions regarding a potential development. Anything that needs to be reviewed or discussed with the Engineering Department will be managed through our internal review process.
If you would like to report a speed complaint on your street, please contact the Engineering Department at (256) 409-2020. We will evaluate the issue by performing a traffic study. If the traffic study data reports a valid speed issue, we will request assistance from the Police Department, and investigate other options as necessary to resolve the issue.
Contact the Engineering Department to report inadequate striping on a city street. City staff perform preventative maintenance inspections on city streets annually, which includes evaluating streets that need to be re-striped. An annual maintenance striping project is completed under contract.
Facility Maintenance
Yes. The city can spray kudzu that is overgrown within public right of way.
City staff can only trim or remove trees within public rights of way or utility easements that are potentially hazardous. If the tree in question is on private property, it is the homeowner's responsibility.
*Note: The City Tree Board must be contacted prior to the removal of any trees in the downtown area.
The city's bushhog operators mow rights of way within the city on a repetitive route every 2-3 months, depending on weather and growth.
Our litter crew picks up trash every 2-3 weeks in most areas. However, litter is removed from the downtown area and HWY 280 median weekly.
FAQ
Utility payments may be submitted by:
- Online 24/7 Bank Draft or Debit / Credit Card
- Drop Box 24/7 - Checks or Money Orders Only
- Cooper Rec
- Old City Hall
- Municipal Complex
- Walk-in: Municipal Complex Utility Collections
- Debit / Credit Card
- Check
- Cash
- ACH: Setup automatic payments from your checking account. Pick up the form at the Municipal Complex or print the Application for Pre-Authorized Payment Form from the website.
- Mail: Utility Collections, P.O. Box 552, Alexander City, AL 35011
The due date is specified on the utility statement. Payments are due by the close of business on the due date. When the due date falls on Saturday, Sunday or a city recognized holiday, payment is due by the close of business on the next business day. Payments received after the due date specified on the utility statement are late and will be subject to the $75.00 late fee.
First Time Users:
You will need the following information to set up your account:
- Recent Utility Statement
- Last Name or Business Name - enter exactly as on the utility statement including spaces, suffixes, and punctuation
- Address
- Full Utility Account Number - example 001234-000
- Email Address
- New Password
The following menu options are available:
- Dashboard - displays summary information about your account and quick links to other information that is available
- Add Credit - enter credit card information for the payment
- Note: if this is the first payment or the payment method has been changed, the bank may process an additional $1. This is a temporary pending transaction. The final transactions that appears on your bank statement should be the amount of the bill.
- To avoid interruption of service, online payments should be made 24 hours before a schedules delinquent date.
- My Bill - Displays the current bill
- Activity - Displays payment and billing transactions from your account. Detailed billing information can be viewed by clicking on the billing transaction.
- My Profile -
- Change the email and password
- Verify Email Address - not used
- Add multiple accounts to you online account
- Contact Us - email address and phone number to contact Alexander City Utility Collections representatives
You must contact the Building Department first if you need to setup or start utilities at a rental property.
To setup new service the following information is required:
1. Proof of ownership and/or deed.
2. Provide two forms of government ID. At least one must be a photo ID and both must be unexpired.
3. All balances must be paid in full.
Utility deposits are based on a soft credit check for residents, a set amount for businesses, table amount for restaurants, and an estimated amount for industrial.
Residents please know that the soft credit check will not go against your credit. If you have any questions, please contact the Utility Collections Department at (256) 329-6700.
Residential | Business | Restaurant | Industrial | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Credit Score 665-850 |
Green | Electric | $50 | $500 |
$500 per 10 tables $1000 per 20 tables $1500 per 30 tables |
Estimated on predicted load amount. |
Green | Gas | $50 | ||||
Green | Sewer | $50 | ||||
Green | Water | $50 | ||||
Credit Score 575-664 |
Yellow | Electric | $100 | ** After 30 days of opening the City will reassess the number of tabletops and adjust the deposit amount accordingly. | ** After 30 days of opening the City will reassess and adjust the deposit amount accordingly. | |
Yellow | Gas | $100 | ||||
Yellow | Sewer | $100 | ||||
Yellow | Water | $100 | ||||
Credit Score 300-574 |
Red | Electric | $150 | |||
Red | Gas | $150 | ||||
Red | Water | $150 | ||||
Red | Sewer | $150 |
A rental light is billed monthly to the customer. Rental lights are classified as MV charges on your monthly utility bill. A street light is paid for by the City and lights a specific area on a City street.
Fire
Fill out an employment application and return it to the Fire Department.
Before being considered for employment, you must successfully pass the CPAT test and bring the results to the Fire Department.
Leaves, trees, and brush.
Call (256) 329-6780 between 7am-5pm.
Cynthia McCain at (256) 329-6756.
Please email Lt. Todd Sassano to schedule a class time and date.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke detectors be replaced every 10 years.
Batteries should be replaced every 6 months. We suggest that when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings that you change your smoke detector batteries as well.
The department does use vacant structures to conduct training, these buildings provide excellent training opportunities for firefighters. For more information or to start the process, contact the Building Department at 256-329-6714.
Gas
To get a new service you need to go to the Building Department to apply for a new meter. If gas is available at the requested location, we can normally have service installed within two weeks of receiving the application.
If you smell gas inside leave immediately, leaving the door open for ventilation. Go to a neighbor's house and contact the Gas Department. If you are calling during normal working hours, please call (256) 409-2070; after hours, weekends and holidays call the Alexander City Police Department at (256) 329-6740. Do not use any source of ignition (ie: light switch, matches, flashlight or telephone).
If the gas has been off for a while the line sometimes gets air in it and needs to be purged. Very seldom will a gas meter lock up; however, it does happen. The problem must be corrected by a Gas Department employee.
If you feel your gas bill is too high and you do not smell gas, you need to first contact the Utility Collections to have your meter reread. If, at that time, you are still not satisfied you can contact the Gas Department for further investigation.
Human Resources
Job vacancies are posted on the City's website on the Careers page, on the bulletin board in the lobby at the Municipal Complex, or you may call (256) 329-6782.
To apply for a job with the City of Alexander City, click here to print an application from the website, or you may visit the Human Resources Department at the Municipal Complex to pick up an application in person.
Landfill / Waste Management
No. The brush truck runs a route schedule. If they pull off of their route, they get behind in another area. Please look at the route schedule and plan accordingly prior to placing your brush curbside.
Environmental Services staff cannot come onto private property. Our responsibility is to remove dead animals from roadways and rights of way to promote safe travel and a healthy environment.
The city's ordinance provides for pick-up from residences. Therefore, brush from businesses, churches, child care facilities, etc., will not be removed. To dispose of brush, please visit the Utilities Collections Department to purchase a dump ticket to use the city's inert landfill. The landfill is located at 1507 North Central Avenue in Alexander City.
Inside of your household garbage cart.
To dispose of tires, please visit Utility Collections at City Hall to purchase a tire ticket. Take the ticket with your tires to the city's inert landfill located at 1507 North Central Ave.
Light
To report an outage during regular business hours, please call the Light Department at (256) 409-2080.
To report an outage AFTER business hours, please call Police Dispatch at (256) 234-3421.
Street light and rental light issues can be reported during regular business hours by calling the Light Department at (256) 409-2080.
Mayor
Call (256) 329-6730 to schedule an appointment with the Mayor's administrative assistant.
Call 256-329-6730
Search Tips and Tricks
Yes. The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.
No. By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase. In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.
In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations. The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.
Yes. You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-). In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.
Street / Equipment Utilization
The City can only maintain ditches that are within the right-of-way or within a recorded storm water easement.
The City can only work within the right-of-way. We can only work on a driveway if there is a danger of damage to the street.
The sweeper runs a route through most areas on a bi-weekly schedule. The downtown area is swept weekly on Fridays.
Waste Water Treatment
Grease Dumping Fees:
$150.00 for 1 to 2000 gallons
$225.00 for 2001 to 3000 gallons
$300.00 for 3001 to more gallons
Septic Waste Fees:
$50.00 per 1000 gallons
Other Waste Fees:
The price is set depending on the ph level, solids, and other parameters per gallon.
The Superintendent must be contacted prior to dumping.