Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question answered below? Send us an email at recovery@birminghamal.gov and we'll get you an answer as soon as possible.
Who’s eligible to submit ideas?
All City of Birmingham employees are invited to submit ideas.
Can I get assistance with completing my submission?
Yes. You can send all questions and inquiries to recovery@birminghamal.gov for assistance.
When is the Magic City Recovery idea submission deadline?
The deadline for June 30, 2021 at 5PM CDT.
Can I submit more than one idea?
You may submit more than one proposal. Please re-submit the form for each proposal.
How are you going to select project ideas to fund?
The initial scoring process will be based on the U.S. Department of Treasury's Interim Final Rule describing allowable uses. We encourage you to read the Interim Final Rule for further clarity.
What is the Magic City Recovery?
The City of Birmingham’s coordinated effort to deploy federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and previous COVID relief bills.
How long do we have to spend the funds?
Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024. The period of performance will run until December 31, 2026
How do I check the status of my submitted idea(s)?
Is this a multi-year agreement?
Awards from the American Rescue Plan investments are one-time awards in which the performance period may be multiple years.
Will idea submitters be the ones executing ideas, or will the City just implement?
If funded, our external partners are expected to execute ideas. Ideas submitted by City of Birmingham employees who submit ideas for their departments or other departments will require due diligence will necessary department leads to determine feasibility and sustainability.
Should multiple members of an organization submit an idea to indicate stronger interest/investment?
No. We ask that you only submit the form once per idea. However, you may submit multiple ideas. Duplicate submissions may delay the review process.
Do we need to submit our EIN and business license number to validate what type of organization we are?
You do not need it at the time of submitting your ideas, but a City of Birmingham business license and a transparency form will be required before an award can be issued.
Can a City department be listed as a collaborator for a proposal from an outside organization?
Yes. External partners who list a City department as a partner should inform the department that they are listed as a collaborator and, ideally, engage with the department in idea formation.
Fiscal Relief Fund Projects
Employee Premium Pay
When will Mayor Woodfin present the premium pay proposal to the Birmingham City Council for approval?
Tuesday, June 1
When will Mayor Woodfin present the premium pay proposal to the Jefferson County Personnel Board for approval?
Tuesday, June 8. The personnel board meeting is public, and its virtual meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. The link is www.pbjcal.org.
How soon can I expect to see the money?
Depending on if the Birmingham City Council and the Jefferson County Personnel Board approve the premium pay, the City of Birmingham will work to secure payment for employees by June 30.
Will this be paid in one lump sum or over several weeks?
One lump sum.
Is this taxable income?
Yes.
If this is taxable income, how much will be removed from the $5,000 for full-time employees and $2,500 for part-time employees?
Tax deductions on this money will include Social Security (FICA) at 6.2 percent; Medicare at 1.45 percent; occupational tax at 1 percent; your federal income tax; and whatever your applicable state tax is, which is determined by the number of exemptions you have claimed.
How much tax will be removed for state taxes?
That depends on the number of exemptions you claim.
Will the amount of tax that could be removed be the same for everyone?
No, the amount of taxes paid depends on a variety of factors, including the number of exemptions that you claim.
Will you take out money for the pension and/or healthcare?
There will be no deductions for the pension or healthcare costs.
Can I elect to have no tax deductions taken from this money?
The City of Birmingham is currently in communication with the Department of Treasury to determine if this payment is subject to the mandatory 25% tax rate applicable to bonus payments. Additionally, this payment is subject to the required FICA, Medicare, state and local taxes.
Where can I go if I have more questions?
Send them to humanresources@birminghamal.gov.