Prichard Christmas Extravaganza Splits City Leaders Over $100,000 Price Tag

PRICHARD, Ala. — A proposed $100,000 Prichard Christmas Extravaganza has opened a divide among city leaders, with the City Council’s legal advisor urging officials to hold off on the holiday celebration while the city works through cash flow problems and efforts to rebuild its police department.

The debate surfaced Tuesday during a meeting of the Prichard Finance Committee, where city leaders discussed whether the city should go forward with its annual Christmas event this year. Mayor Carletta Davis made clear she intends for the celebration to happen, even if the city has not lined up all of the money needed to pay for it.

The disagreement reflects a broader conversation in Prichard about spending priorities at a time when the city is trying to put its finances in order. Residents who spoke about the issue were also split, with some saying the money should go elsewhere and others saying the holiday tradition is worth keeping.

Council advisor: ‘Hunker down and focus on what matters’

Moshae Donald, who serves as legal advisor to the Prichard City Council, said the timing is not right for a holiday event of that size.

“Prichard just simply doesn’t have the funds to make holiday extravaganzas a priority,” Donald said.

Donald pointed to several financial issues the city is still working through. Donald said the city’s insurance is still pending and that Prichard is dealing with cash flow issues.

“And so the council really just wants to see us kind of hunker down and focus on what matters,” Donald said.

The comments suggest that members of the council would prefer to see available dollars directed toward core city operations, particularly as Prichard works to rebuild its police department. Public safety staffing is one of the most significant ongoing expenses for any municipality, and rebuilding a department typically involves recruiting and training officers, providing equipment and vehicles, and covering the cost of salaries and benefits.

Mayor says the celebration will go on

Davis took a different view, arguing that the Christmas Extravaganza is an important event for the community and that it could even help the city financially.

“It’s not going to stop what we’re trying to do,” Davis said. “And being positive and productive for the citizens of Prichard.”

The mayor said she and her administration are weighing both the community’s needs and the city’s financial condition as they plan the event.

“You know, with anything that we are trying to do, of course we have the community in mind, but we also have the city in mind and in the city’s financial status,” Davis said. “And actually, this Christmas event could be a huge economic driver.”

Davis said the city’s Christmas events are scheduled for the second and third weekends of December. She indicated the events will take place even if all of the funding has not been secured.

Residents weigh in on city priorities

Prichard residents are also divided over whether the city should spend money on a holiday celebration this year.

Prichard resident Hawk Williams said the city should not move forward with the event if the money is not there.

“They ain’t got the money, there’s no need for an event,” Williams said. “No, no, no, leave that alone. I mean, like, prioritize something else.”

Maria Gibbs, a lifelong Prichard resident, said she wants the city to keep its holiday traditions, including the Christmas parade and Christmas program.

“Yes. Have our Christmas parade and our Christmas program,” Gibbs said. “They’ve been doing that for years.”

Gibbs said she sees the city on the rise. “I’ve lived in Prichard all of my life,” she said. “City of Prichard is coming back up.”

What is at stake for Prichard

Prichard is a city in Mobile County, located just north of Mobile. The city was once considerably larger and has seen its population decline significantly over several decades. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Prichard had a population of roughly 19,000 residents.

The city has faced financial challenges for years, and city leaders have repeatedly had to balance the cost of basic services against the community’s desire for events and programs. The current discussion over the Christmas Extravaganza is the latest example of that tension.

Supporters of holiday events often argue that community celebrations bring residents together, give families a free or low-cost outing during the holiday season and draw visitors who may spend money at local businesses. That is the case the mayor made when she described the event as a potential “economic driver.”

Critics, meanwhile, argue that when a city is short on cash, every dollar spent on a one-time event is a dollar that cannot go toward ongoing needs such as public safety, infrastructure or paying outstanding obligations. That is the concern Donald raised in pointing to the city’s pending insurance and cash flow issues.

How city spending decisions are made

In Alabama, a city’s mayor and council share responsibility for city finances. The mayor generally oversees the day-to-day administration of city government, while the council holds authority over appropriations and the adoption of the city budget. Committees such as Prichard’s Finance Committee allow council members and city officials to review spending proposals and financial matters in detail before items reach the full council.

Because the council controls appropriations, disagreements between a mayor and council over spending priorities are not unusual in Alabama cities. Such disagreements are often worked out through committee discussions, budget negotiations and votes during regular council meetings.

It was not clear from Tuesday’s discussion how the city would cover the full cost of the Christmas Extravaganza or whether any portion of the funding could come from sponsors or other sources outside the city’s general budget. The mayor said the event will happen even if the city has not secured all of the funding.

What happens next

With the Christmas events planned for the second and third weekends of December, the city has roughly seven weeks before the first scheduled celebration. Any further discussion of funding for the event would likely take place at upcoming Finance Committee or City Council meetings.

Prichard City Council meetings are open to the public, and residents who want to share their views on the Christmas Extravaganza or other spending priorities can attend and speak during the public comment portion of meetings. Meeting schedules and agendas are available from the City of Prichard.

Residents interested in the holiday events can watch for announcements from the city regarding dates, times, locations and parade details as December approaches.