Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis Hosts ‘Coffee w/ Carletta’ Community Meeting Tuesday Morning at City Hall

PRICHARD, Ala. — Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis is inviting the public to sit down with her over a cup of coffee on Tuesday morning.

The mayor will host “Coffee w/ Carletta,” an informal community meeting, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Prichard City Hall. According to a news release from the city, the gathering is open to residents, business owners and community stakeholders.

“This informal gathering offers an opportunity to connect with the mayor, share ideas, discuss community concerns, and enjoy conversation over coffee,” the release said.

A chance to bring questions and ideas

The city is encouraging residents to come with their questions, concerns and suggestions for the administration. Officials describe the event as a way to strengthen communication between City Hall and the people it serves and to encourage more residents to get involved in civic life.

“Coffee w/ Carletta provides a welcoming setting for dialogue about Prichard’s priorities and future,” the release said. “The event centers on listening to residents, building relationships, and encouraging neighbors to take an active role in their city.”

Unlike a formal City Council meeting, which follows a set agenda and rules for public comment, an informal coffee-style gathering gives residents a chance to talk with an elected leader directly and in a more relaxed setting. Mayors and other local officials across the country use similar events to hear concerns that might not otherwise reach them and to explain what the city is working on.

A busy season at City Hall

The meeting comes during an eventful stretch for Prichard’s government, and residents may have plenty to discuss.

Budget questions. Prichard leaders have spent recent weeks working through the city’s budget. Davis has pressed businesses operating in the city to pay the taxes and fees they owe, and city leaders have discussed raises for employees.

Hurricane Isaias. Davis said earlier this month that the city had secured insurance coverage before Hurricane Isaias struck the Gulf Coast. She has also called for steps such as an updated zoning map and stronger business license enforcement.

Holiday spending. City leaders have been divided over the roughly $100,000 cost of Prichard’s planned Christmas Extravaganza.

Public safety. Law enforcement in Prichard is currently provided by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office under a $1.2 million agreement approved by the Mobile County Commission, with deputies patrolling the city through September 2027. The arrangement followed well-publicized problems within the former Prichard Police Department.

None of those topics is on a set agenda for Tuesday’s coffee, which the city describes as an open conversation. Residents are free to bring up whatever matters most to them.

Why community meetings matter

Prichard, a city of roughly 19,000 people just north of Mobile, has faced long-standing financial and infrastructure challenges. Events like “Coffee w/ Carletta” give residents who cannot attend daytime council meetings, or who are uncomfortable speaking at a podium, another way to be heard.

Business owners, in particular, may find the meeting useful for raising questions about licensing, permitting and the city’s plans for economic development. Community and church leaders can use it to share what they are seeing in their neighborhoods.

If you go

• What: Coffee w/ Carletta, an informal community meeting with Prichard Mayor Carletta Davis
• When: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026
• Where: Prichard City Hall
• Who can attend: Residents, business owners and community stakeholders
• Cost: Free
• What to bring: Questions, concerns and ideas for the city’s future

Residents who cannot attend can contact Prichard City Hall to share their questions or concerns with the mayor’s office.