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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo City Council honored longtime Police Chief Jeremy Littleton at its Monday, Sept. 22 meeting, unanimously approving Sgt. Todd Burr as his successor effective Wednesday, Oct. 1 while also adopting the city’s 2025–2026 fiscal year budget and a new ordinance regulating vape sales.

Mayor Rusty Nix read a proclamation recognizing Littleton’s 22 years of service with the Montevallo Police Department, including the last 12 as chief. The room gave him a standing ovation as he reflected on his career and thanked the community.

“I appreciate what the city has done for me, and I appreciate y’all for giving me the opportunity,” Littleton said. “It’s been a privilege and an honor to lead the police department… I know the police department is headed in the right direction. I’ve got full confidence that they are going to carry on in being professional and doing what’s best for the city.”

Council members and Nix praised Littleton’s leadership and expressed confidence in Burr’s appointment.

“For this decision, we talked with Chief Littleton. We believe Sgt. Burr will be a good fit for Montevallo,” Nix said. “I feel like we did a good job with (Littleton’s) appointment, and this will be another great appointment.”

Councilmember Kenneth Dukes added, “Chief Littleton set a standard, and I think Todd is going to continue to raise that standard when it comes to working with citizens.”

The council approved the 2025–2026 fiscal budget, which City Clerk and Treasurer Steve Gilbert said was shaped by discussions with department heads and historical spending patterns.

“The two largest budgets are the police department and the city’s general fund,” Gilbert said. “There is some surplus in the budget.”

The council also adopted an ordinance establishing a local excise tax and business license requirement for consumable vapor products, aligning the city’s regulations with a new state law that takes effect Wednesday, Oct. 1. Gilbert noted the measure ensures Montevallo can directly collect revenue on wholesale vape sales rather than relying solely on state distributions.

The council welcomed members of the Montevallo Junior City Council, who took their oath of office during the meeting. The group of middle and high school students focuses on learning about city government while positively contributing to Montevallo.

Other news from the meeting included Impact Montevallo recently securing $125,000 in federal funds, and Montevallo Main Street Executive Director Courtney Bennett announced that Cawaco RC&D will again provide $5,500 in 2026 to support the CO.STARTERS small business program.

The council also approved requests to close Island Street and waive vendor fees for the Saturday, Nov. 1 Día de Los Muertos festival, as well as to waive fees for the Montevallo Art Walk scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 with a Sunday, Nov. 9 rain date.