Real estate ventures boosted Huntsville’s mayor past $1 million in income last year, while a council member surpassed $250,000, largely from stock market gains, according to annual financial disclosure reports.
The Statements of Economic Interests, filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission, reveal income ranges rather than exact figures, offering insight into officials’ finances. Public officials and candidates at all levels of government in Alabama are required to file these disclosures annually, along with certain employees in supervisory roles. The filing deadline this year was April 1.
Mayor Tommy Battle
First elected in 2008, Mayor Battle reported a gross income of at least $1.15 million in 2023, primarily from real estate investments and rental properties.
“The income range for the Mayor’s property holdings represents gross revenues, before expenses,” the City of Huntsville explained in a statement to AL.com. “The Mayor is a partial owner on some of these properties.”
Battle disclosed eight property-related businesses generating income in 2023, with at least $250,000 from two. Most of the properties are in Alabama, with one located in Florida.
The mayor also earns an annual city salary exceeding $150,000. The council president’s salary is $47,000, while the other council members receive $38,000 each.
Councilman Bill Kling
The council’s longest-serving member, elected in 1988, reported over $250,000 in income last year, largely from stock market investments between $150,000 and $250,000.
“My income comes from my City Council paycheck, Alabama state retirement, and stock market investments,” Kling shared in an email to AL.com. “And my wife’s Alabama state retirement as well. We own no real estate beyond our home.”
Kling’s filing lists only unnamed stocks as his investment income sources.
Councilman David Little
District 2 representative David Little, a financial adviser, reported earning between $50,000 and $150,000 from his job in 2023. His wife’s rental business added to their household income, placing it between $150,000 and $250,000 for the year.
Councilwoman Jennie Robinson
First elected in 2014, Councilwoman Robinson reported a combined household income between $150,000 and $250,000, mainly from her husband’s work as a research scientist.
“The statement of economic interest reflects the combined income for my husband and me,” Robinson noted in a statement to AL.com. “Since leaving my full-time job to care for family, my only income has been my council salary.”
She also mentioned that a portion of her salary increase—voted on by the council but opposed by her—is automatically donated to the Community Foundation.
Councilman John Meredith
Council President John Meredith, now in his second term, reported an income between $50,000 and $150,000 in 2023. He previously stated that he has no other job outside his council duties and did not provide additional comments for this report.
Councilwoman Michelle Watkins
Newly elected Councilwoman Michelle Watkins earned between $50,000 and $150,000 last year. She also works as a lead management and program analyst for the U.S. Army Garrison at Redstone Arsenal.
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