AC: Now that we’re halfway through the first year of the new term, what are you excited about seeing completed, and what’s still on the horizon that you are looking forward to?
Stacy Rakestraw: We are all looking forward to the completion of the new Recreation Center and Library. The contractors are doing an incredible job keeping the completion of this addition to our City on time. In the near future, we look forward to announcing the retail and restaurant center occupants, which will be on Warrior Corner on the property south of the Rec Center and Library.
AC: Did you set new priorities for this term that are different than last term?
SR: Many projects from my former term are still in progress and are going well. We had an engineering study of all city streets (over 720) and listed those in need of paving. This was based on criteria such as structural integrity, surface condition, traffic loads, and subsurface stability to design long-lasting, cost-effective roadways. We paved 26 segments in 2025 and are planning to pave around 32 segments in 2026. Last year we spent $1.7 million, and this year we plan to spend around $2 million.
AC: What do you see as the most pressing needs for your ward and the city as a whole?
SR: I address needs and concerns as they come in my ward. Speeding in neighborhoods has been a concern since I first got on the council. Through our public safety committee, we actively implement our traffic calming policy to evaluate these concerns and what can be done to help. Additionally, I work closely with our police department for issues in my ward, and they do an excellent job monitoring problem areas. By using radar and data-collecting signage, we gather critical information regarding traffic volume, peak times, and vehicle speeds, ensuring that our decisions are data-driven and effectively enhance the safety of our streets.
AC: In May, the council approved some changes to the water, sewer, and trash rates after the city took over the water board. Can you explain the changes and what it means for the average citizen?
SR: Key changes include lower sewer bills for high water-use events—since sewer charges are based on water consumption, activities like filling a swimming pool or heavy lawn irrigation can increase sewer bills. The city is introducing ways to avoid those extra charges. It is so important for residents and businesses to check for leaks, listen and fix running toilets, and call the water board for help if they see an increase in their water bill. A running toilet can increase a water bill from $50-$200 per month and use hundreds of gallons of water per day. For questions, call the AWB at Water Inquiries at (205) 663-6155; After Hours Emergency at (205) 326-9090; and Garbage or Sewer Inquiries at (205) 664-6800. (See sidebar for more information.)
AC: The health fair is around the corner on August 22. Tell me about what prompted you to start the health fair, when did it start, and what did you hope it would mean for Alabaster residents?
SR: When we branded the area of our city that includes the hospital and other medical professionals as the Medical Mile, our goal was to showcase the convenience of having exceptional healthcare available locally. That same commitment to connecting residents with local healthcare resources inspired the launch of the Alabaster Health Fair in 2018, designed to serve residents of Alabaster and surrounding communities by connecting them with local healthcare providers and resources.
Since 2018 we have grown from 25 to over 50 medical and healthcare vendors; added seminars for caregiver support, Alzheimer’s, cardiac health, stroke awareness, and many more; along with a Wellness Clinic provided by Blair Pharmacy that includes a vaccine clinic and health screenings. It is all held at the Alabaster High School Arena. We provide shuttle services from the entrance of the arena to the parking lot for visitor convenience. Vendors bring door prizes that are given out throughout the event. Our support team includes resident volunteers, ACS Health Academy students, and ACS ROTC students to welcome guests, answer questions, and help in the children’s interactive, sensory, and play area. Over the years, the city has developed great partnerships to help host the annual health fair, including Baptist Health Shelby Hospital, Alabaster City Schools, and Discover Shelby.
AC: What do you want Alabaster citizens to take away from the Health Fair, and why do you think it’s important for the city to provide this resource for citizens?
SR: We are encouraging everyone on the importance of preventive healthcare with annual checkups and promoting that self-care, mental health awareness, and exercise are key to living a healthy life.
The annual health fair gives visitors an opportunity to drop in and meet all types of health care and medical professionals to ask questions, make appointments if needed, provide awareness of issues that impact many families, as well as offers many services available through the county and state. The Alabaster Fire Department and Police Department are always on hand to talk to anyone with questions and for them to look at the vehicles and equipment they use. The addition of our city ambulance service has made a great impact on service time and getting care to residents in emergency situations. Quoting Brian Pavlick of Baptist Health Shelby: “One of the exciting things about the Health Fair is that, while there are opportunities to learn what is new, there is always the reassurance that some things never change. In this case, I am speaking to the quality of team members who serve on the floors as nurses, front office personnel, technologists, and even some of our providers. Truly, that is what is at the heart of any community clinic or hospital. For Baptist Health, Shelby Hospital, we do like to show off that there are plenty of services that we offer that allow you to receive quality healthcare close to home. Whether it is through our emergency services, cardiology services, imaging services, or primary care and specialty services, you will learn just by approaching our tables how we “make it personal” and connect with our communities by building that trust and pride as your hometown hospital.
The Alabaster Health Fair 2026, “Healthcare Close to Home,” is set for August 22, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Thompson High School Arena. Admission is free for all ages, and Alabaster residents and visitors from surrounding communities are encouraged to come by.
Tips for Monitoring Water Leaks
How to Catch a Leak Early:
- The Dye Test: Put a few drops of dark food coloring or a Toilet Leak Detection Dye Tablet into the tank. Do not flush. If the color seeps into the bowl after 10-15 minutes, you have a leak.
- The Sound Test: Listen closely to your bathroom when it is completely silent. If you hear hissing, trickling, or the toilet refilling randomly on its own, it needs repair.
Common Culprits:
- Faulty Flapper: The most common issue; a deteriorated or misaligned rubber flapper at the bottom of the tank allows water to constantly seep out.
- Bad Fill Valve: If the float is set too high or the valve is broken, water will continually spill down the overflow tube.
Cheaper irrigation meters: The cost of installing a separate residential irrigation meter has been reduced from about $4,500 to the actual meter cost, typically $600–$800. Water measured through this meter can be excluded from sewer bill calculations.
Pool-filling adjustment: Residents can now request a once-per-year sewer bill adjustment to remove water used for filling a swimming pool from sewer charges.
Lower sewer base rate for some septic customers: Customers on septic systems who are within 200 feet of a sewer line will have their base sewer rate reduced to $30. Eligible residents should contact the Alabaster Water Board at 205-663-6155 to ensure they receive the lower rate.
Waived sewer tap fees: Septic-system customers who want to connect to the city’s sewer system will no longer have to pay sewer tap fees.
Overall, the changes are intended to make sewer billing fairer and reduce costs for residents with temporary spikes in water usage and for certain septic-system customers. Other rate changes were based on the annual Consumer Price Index.