FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026
Statement Addressing Misinformation Regarding Financial Reporting and Transparency
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MAYOR CARLETTA DAVIS:
PRICHARD, AL — “In light of the Special Meeting called by the City Council on Tuesday, March 10, and the subsequent media coverage regarding our municipal financial reporting, I want to personally provide the facts to ensure that our community receives the accurate and professional information you deserve.
I wholly deny the claims that financial reports have not been provided to the City Council. Records confirm that my Finance Director provided comprehensive financial reports in both December 2025 and January 2026. These submissions included receipt reports, check registers, and monthly fixed expenditure documents detailing the city’s $1,097,952.84 in monthly obligations.
Furthermore, the Finance Director’s formal presentation of these reports on January 15, 2026, was recorded and remains accessible to the public on the City of Prichard’s official YouTube channel. I encourage every resident and member of the media to view this presentation for themselves at the following link: https://youtu.be/WA51Uqxt0-4?si=4YJiczV-maEV534T&t=2596.
Under Alabama Code 11-43C, as your Mayor, I am required to provide a monthly report on revenue, expenditures, and the municipality’s financial condition. My administration has done exactly that and remains fully committed to this legal and ethical obligation. To that end, I will be presenting a new, updated financial report at this week’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Thursday, March 12.
I have been consistent in my message of transparency, most recently during my “Traveling City Hall” series held from February 23 through March 6 across all five districts. As I stated then: “What I will not do is present reports that are incomplete.” My priority is, and will always be, the integrity of the data provided to the public.
At the recommendation of independent auditors who have voiced concerns for the past five years, my administration is currently navigating a complex transition from QuickBooks, a software not commonly used by municipalities, to AccountMate. My Finance Director has informed the City Council on several occasions that this transition requires additional time to pull and verify specific data points to ensure they are professional and accurate. This internal process is not an attempt to withhold information; rather, it is a necessary step to ensure that accurate information is presented to the Council in a clear and concise manner.
My administration strives to be the most transparent in Prichard’s history. Our city has bright days ahead, but we must resist the urge to fall back into practices that are not conducive to growth and unity. I invite you to review the attached documents that were previously presented to the Council to see the work we are doing to move Prichard forward.”
Downloadable items: