Contact: City Hall 2201 University Blvd Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 Phone: (205) 349-2010 Fax: (205) 349-0185 Email Webmaster
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Candidate Questions
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Candidates must be registered to vote, must have been full-time residents of the city for at least one year prior to qualifying, and must not hold any other elective office. |
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A potential candidate may begin raising funds at any time after filing designation of a campaign treasurer and bank designation with the City Clerk. The campaign account must be separate from any personal accounts and used only for depositing campaign funds and making campaign expenditures. |
City Attorney
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Whether to employ an attorney is entirely up to you. The attorneys for the City of Tuscaloosa will gladly speak to citizens who are not represented by a lawyer. If you are represented by an attorney on the issue in question, the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Alabama State Bar generally require city attorneys to speak to only your lawyer about the matter unless your lawyer consents to your speaking directly with the City’s lawyer. Although City Attorneys always seek to treat everyone professionally and fairly, please keep in mind that they represent the legal interests of the City, not of individual citizens. |
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The City of Tuscaloosa and the Office of the City Attorney are prohibited by law from representing you or your interests. We also cannot recommend attorneys to you. If you need an attorney you may find these resources useful: Alabama State Bar Lawyers Referral Service. Call (800) 392-5660 or click here http://www.alabar.org/ and look for the Lawyers Referral Service link. This service by the state bar association will give you the name and contact information of attorneys in your area that handle the kind of legal problem you have.
Legal Services of Alabama is a statewide non-profit organization providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly Alabamians. Call 205-758-7503 or click here http://www.alabamalegalservices.org/
The University of Alabama School of Law Clinical Program has several specialized clinical programs that may or may not be able to assist you. Call (205) 348-4960 if you think you might qualify.
Most attorneys advertise in the telephone book yellow pages. Look under “Attorneys.” |
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For an explaination of common reasons claims are denied and what some of your options are if that happens, use the following link. Claim Denial Info |
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Many City of Tuscaloosa records are available online, however, if the record you need is not available online or you simply cannot find it, then you should file a public records request using this link |
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Traffic tickets are paid at Municipal Court. Additonal information on traffic tickets is available at this link. |
Environmental Services
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Putrescible animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food, including waste from markets, storage facilities, handling and the sale of produce products, and in general from food for human consumption, and non-putrescrible waste matter, such as glass, plastic, paper, cartons, boxes, and cardboard. |
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We cannot collect containers that are overloaded due to unacceptable materials. These include automotive parts, bricks, concrete, and other construction items. Also we cannot accept household sewage, livestock, or poultry waste, hazardous waste, unprotected medical waste, dead animals, ashes, trash, street or highway cleanings, or industrial waste. |
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If your garbage cart needs repair please call Tuscaloosa 311 and place a Service Request Order (SRO). A Cart Repair Crew will be out to repair your cart if possible. In order to be repaired, carts should be left at the curb and contain no garbage. While waiting for repairs, your garbage may be placed in bags and put out next to the cart for collection. If your cart is NON-REPAIRABLE, your cart will be replaced at no-cost if certain conditions are met. Cart repairs can take up to 30 days to complete, though most orders are handles within two weeks. To find out more information about the City’s cart program click HERE ... |
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To find out your collection day call Tuscaloosa 311 or contact the Environmental Services Department at (205) 248-4900. Then place your cart out for collection no later than 7 A.M. on your pick up day and remove it from curbside or city right-of-way no later than 8 A.M. the next day. |
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For our customers who are physically unable to roll a garbage cart or carry the recycling bin to the curb, we provide both garbage and recycling pick up at the back door at no extra charge. This service is not provided when other physically able adults are in the home. For more information call our office at (205) 248-4900. |
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All tree and lawn trimmings, leaves, pine straw, trash that has been burned, rocks, bricks, and demolition type waste, generated by family units. Construction waste, demolition waste or trees that are generated by a contractor , or someone other than the occupant of the premises, will not be collected by the city and it will be the generator’s responsibility to remove such debris. |
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Paper, cartons, cardboard, refuse, garbage, litter, rubbish, sludge, liquids, toxic or hazardous waste will not be accepted for trash collection. |
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Call Tuscaloosa 311 or contact the Environmental Services Department for the trash pickup schedule at (205) 248-4900. |
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Trash collection is a free service available to residents with an active water account. Business customers are not entitled to trash collection. |
Finance
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You can get on the bid list by clicking on the Bidding Registration Form feature on the Finance page. Print the form out and fill out as instructed on the form. Fax back to the number provided on the form. If you do not have a fax machine, you can mail it to the purchasing department. You will be notified of any pertinent opportunites. |
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There is no charge to be placed on the bid list. |
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The Albama Competitive Bid Laws require a bid bond in the amount of 5% for any contract valued greater than $10,000. Acceptable formats are addressed in the Special Conditions of the bid document. |
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The City of Tuscaloosa has an auction twice a year to dispose of surplus property. Look for these opportunities advertised in the paper listing date and location or call (205)349-0498 to inquire about information. |
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When the check is returned to the City, it is sent to Certegy for collection. If cerrtegy is unable to collect on the check within 60 days, they return the check to the City. A certified letter is then issued and if the check is not collected on within 10 days, it is sent to the Worhtless Check Unit and a warrant is issued. |
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Checks are processed and mailed every Monday after 2:30. |
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The invoice must reach the Finance Department with signed approval from the appropriate department before 2:30 pm on Wednesday to receive a check for that week. |
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All checks are mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. |
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The City currently solicits bids on a weekly basis for certificates of deposit from local financial institutions that participate in Alabama's Safe program. The institution quoting the highest interest rate will be awarded the investment. In the case where more than institutuion quotes the same rate the investment will be given to the financial institution that is holding the lowest number of investments. |
Fire Department
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#1 2527 6th Street
#2 322 Paul W. Bryant Drive
#3 202 Rice Valley Road NE
#4 2113 University Boulevard E
#5 2200 Greensboro Avenue
#6 3029 Loop Road
#7 105 Skyland Boulevard
#8 2200 Culver Road
#9 3924 Woodland Forrest Drive
#10 8101 New Watermelon Road
#11 10293 Covered Bridge Road
#12 Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport |
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The 911 system is designed to save you valuable seconds because the system routes calls to the fire or police units that are closest to your home. Fire stations are not equipped to take such calls and doing so would actually reduce response time. It is also possible that no firefighters would be at the station due to being on a call, whereas 911 calls will always be answered. |
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You should replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year. A good way to remember is to do this when you change your clocks for the time change in spring and fall. |
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Safely pull to the right and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Be aware there may be more than one vehicle that needs to pass. |
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Assure that you have a well-defined escape plan. Make sure that people who are confined to a wheelchair have immediate access to their wheelchair when an emergency occurs. It is usually better for disabled persons to have ready access to outside exits. |
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The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has given the City of Tuscaloosa a Class 3 Rating. |
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All City Firefighters are trained to First Responder levels in emergency medical response. Almost all are basic emergency medical technicians or paramedics. |
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No. Try opening a can of tuna or cat food and wait for the cat to come down on its own. |
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Call the Public Safety Educator at (205) 349-0322 at least 2 weeks in advance to determine availability. |
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Training takes up a great deal of their time when they are not at an emergency. Firefighters also participate in fire safety inspections, public education and pre-fire planning. They often drive the community to become familiar with the area to reduce response time during incidents. Firefighters must also check and maintain their equipment, and clean and maintain their stations. |
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The standard response to a residential structure fire includes three engine companies, one ladder truck company, one rescue truck and one chief officer. As soon as the first arriving engine determines that other resources are not needed, they are immediately released. The main goal of the Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue Service is to save lives and property, and this level of response is necessary to accomplish this goal over 95% of the time. |
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The Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Department responds to an annual average of 8,000 calls for assistance; almost 90% of the calls are for emergency medical assistance to the sick or injured. |
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Fire run reports are available from Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service administrative offices on the first floor of the City Hall Annex on University Blvd. Office hours are 7:00-5:00, Monday-Friday. Phone 248-5420. |
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Current industry standard for an effective fire response is four personnel on an engine. The required crew for an ambulance is two personnel, but most patients require the assistance of more than two pairs of caring hands whenever an ambulance is summoned. Responding with an engine and a rescue vehicle ensures an adequate crew for any situation we might encounter. |
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Because crews work 24-hour shifts, the average fighter workweek is 56 hours. If crews were to work 8-hour shifts (40-hour weeks), an entire fourth shift of 18 people would need to be added. This is the most cost-effective work schedule for fire protection. |
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Because crews work a 24-hour shift, they must eat their lunch and dinner at the station. The firefighters eat the same meal, as a group. The crews pay for their food out of their own pockets. Each morning, after equipment is checked and housework completed, one of the vehicles (engine or rescue truck) will make a quick trip to the grocery store to purchase the food for the shift. All crews remain in service to respond to calls during this time. |
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Abandoned buildings or structures slated for demolition provide firefighters with additional experience working in live structures. Structures can be donated for non-destructive training, destructive training or burn training. Considerable preparation time may be required of the owner beforehand. All training structures need an asbestos survey and provide proof of no insurance. It is important to note the structure is not reduced to an easily moved pile of rubble but rather a burned-out structure that will need to be removed by the owner. For more information, contact the Fire Marshal at 248-5420. |
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Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In many instances, firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. Heat and smoke rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool air to enter the structure from below. This improves visibility and lowers heat conditions for the firefighters inside, allowing them to quickly and safely extinguish the fire. Remember, heat and smoke cause damage, too, so ventilation will actually reduce overall damage to a building and contents. |
Human Resources
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We have our avaliable jobs posted on this site. Access them by clicking on the following link. Current Job Listings |
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Click on the following link for information on the hiring process for the City of Tuscaloosa's jobs. Hiring Process |
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For a listing of the Benefits offered to full time employees click on the following link. Benefits |
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Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 2089
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
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Main FAQs
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Preview these PSAs to learn when. It addresses two very serious issues - the mis-use of 9-1-1 for non-emergencies and the lack of accurate location information from mobile phones. More... |
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Call the Tuscaloosa County Voter Registrar's Office at (205)349-3870 ext. 415 thru 418. |
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The donation process is very simple and ensures that all monies go directly into the classrooms. Invest now... |
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The Council meet each Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. All committee meetings are on Tuesdays prior to the weekly Tuesday evening Council meeting. Check the Calendar on our home page for more details. |
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District 1: Bobby E. Howard
District 2: Harrison Taylor
District 3: Cynthia Lee Almond
District 4: Lee Garrison
District 5: Kip Tyner
District 6: Bob Lundell
District 7: William Tinker III
City Council Information and Maps |
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Yes. Drop-off points for recycleable items are at the following locations:
Fire Stations
#2: 322 Paul Bear Bryant Drive East
#3: 202 Rice Valley Road N.E.
#6: 3029 Loop Road
#10: 8101 New Watermelon Road Skyland Elementary School
408 Skyland Blvd. Environmental /Services Department
1120 28th Ave. Waste Recycling Inc.
907 31st Ave. University Church of Christ
1200 Julia Tutwiler Dr. Alberta Police Sub-Station
2731 University Blvd. East
More... |
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Call the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 349-0273. More... |
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You may view current bid opportunities by accessing the following link: Bid Invitations... |
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Yes. Get more information on the City of Northport's website. More... |
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All full time City of Tuscaloosa employees are eligible for full benefits. More... |
Municipal Court
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2122 6th Street,downtown Tuscaloosa, beside City Hall More... |
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The Prosecutor will call the docket in alphabetical order on Criminal Arraignment and certain traffic offenses on Traffic Arraignment dockets. The Court Magistrate will call the docket on the Traffic Arraignment dockets for minor traffic violations such as speeding, running a red light, running a stop sign, the wrong way on a one way street, etc… The Prosecutor will ask you whether you plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, the Prosecutor will advise you of the recommendation of a sentence to the Judge and the Judge will then sentence you. If you plead not guilty, the case will be set for trial date by the Judge. If you plead guilty to the Court Magistrate on the minor traffic violation, you will be sentenced to the settlement amount and advised when to pay the fines and court costs. If you are pleading not guilty, the Judge will set the trial date. |
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A: Only if it is minor traffic violation. The fines for minor traffic violations are set out in this web site. More... |
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Maybe,if it is on the minor traffic fine schedule. Payment will be accepted at the cashier's window or you may mail a money order or a cashier's check along with your copy of the ticket (signed on the defendant's line) or use E-Services as long as it is not after your court date. More... |
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Only if you have signed a plea of guilt More... |
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A printable guilty plea (for use with minor traffic offenses only)may be obtained by clicking on this link. More... |
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The Judge can order a fine of up to $500 and/or 6 months in jail on any charge in municipal court except for Driving under the Influence whereby the fine and jail time can be higher. more |
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The Judge or the Court Magistrates will give you the date to pay your fines. |
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The court cost will remain the same whether you come to court or not.
The court cost is already included in the amount paid for minor traffic citations. If a trial or failure to appear fine is applicable, the court cost could increase due to subpoena or late fees. The fine, however; is subject to change if a trial is requested. This is at the discretion of the Judge.
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Cash, cashier's check, money order, Master Card and Visa (with valid ID) More... |
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A: No, all request for resets and/or continuances must be made in person. |
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Children under 10 are not allowed in the courtroom. |
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If an individual has a speeding ticket and no other moving violations, the Court will consider dismissal upon completion of defensive driving school and payment of court costs of $110.00. You will have to appear in Court to request a dismissal. The options on the other type of minor moving violations are to either plead guilty or to plead not guilty and have a trial. |
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Suitable attire is required. Shirts and shoes are required. Halter tops, tank tops, and shorts are not appropriate. No hats or do-rags may be worn in the Courtroom. Cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off. Children are not permitted. |
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You must turn yourself in to the Tuscaloosa Police Department and post a bond. You will be given a Court date. More... |
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You can apply for a court-appointed attorney when you appear in court. The Judge will make the determination of whether you are eligible for a court-appointed attorney. Eligibility is based on financial need. |
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You may use a bonding company, property bond or cash bond unless the warrant is for failure to appear whereby you will have to post a cash bond. |
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At the cashier's window at Tuscaloosa Municipal Court or on-line using E-Services (must be by your court date.) For help call 205-248-5330.
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Municipal codes can be viewed and printed from Municode.com More... |
New Resident Information
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You may sign up on the 2nd floor of the new City Hall Annex. City Hall is located on the corner of 22nd Avenue and University Blvd. |
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Yes, the City of Tuscaloosa recycles. More... |
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For your leisure, parks are located throughout the City. If you are in need of exercise, quiet time, a picnic, or just getting away from it all, visit one of our many parks. More... |
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You can find a lot of information online by clicking on the link below or visit The Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce located across from Tuscaloosa City Hall on University Blvd. More... |
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It shall be unlawful to allow any dog to be at large within the city limits. The dog(s) may be restrained by a fence, leash of not more than ten feet in length, or tied. It is no defense that the owner of the dog was unaware the dog was not confined. |
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Disasters can strike quickly and history shows Tuscaloosa is not immune. Emergency Management provides leadership; planning, education and resources to protect lives, property and the environment in the event a disaster were to strike. More... |
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Any items such as debris can be left at the curve by 7 a.m. Your scheculed pickup will vary depending on your resident location. Please make sure items are easily accessible. Call James Epes at 205 349-0260 for additional information. |
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Follow the link below for additional services from other providers. More... |
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Follow the link below for information of schools and colleges. More... |
Police
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You can get information two ways. Click on the "Locate Sex Offenders" on the right-hand side of the TPD home page OR subsribe to our email notification list using "Notify Me" which is listed under "E-Services" at top right of screen. Click here to sign up for Notify Me. |
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First off, always try to remain calm and speak clearly
Stay on the phone with us until the operator tells you to hang up
Tell us the type of emergency (accident, robbery, etc)
Tell us the address of the emergency or where to send the officer(s)
Is anyone injured, is an ambulance or rescue required?
If there is "suspect" information, give us as complete of a description as you can.
In most cases you will be asked for your name.
If you're calling from a cell phone while driving, make sure you can call us safely.
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You must fill out and submit the Application and Permit for Parade, Procession or Assemblage upon City Streets. More... |
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Yes. Through our Ride-Along Program, citizens 18 years or older can ride with a Patrol Officer during their regular shift. You will need to complete the Ride-Along Form and submit it to police headquarters...
Ride Along Form |
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Call: 349-0480 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday) |
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Call: 349-0481 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) More... |
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Call: 349-2121 (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday) More... |
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Call: 349-0128 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) More... |
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Phone our "Grass Hotline" at 247-4727 |
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Call: 349-0410. If no one is available to take your call, you may leave the information on our Secure Voice Mail. |
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For burglary, theft, robbery, business service: 349-0420
Serious assault, homicide, rape: 349-0518
Juvenile crime: 349-0445
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TPD does not have a Reserve Program. However we do have a "Ride Along" program and the "Explorer's Program".
Ride Along Form... |
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Call the TPD Office of Standards and Integrity @ (205) 349-0559. |
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For Traffic Tickets:
Tuscaloosa Municipal Court
2206 6th Street
(205) 349-0506
For Parking Tickets:
Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation
1000 28th Avenue
(205) 349-0255
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You can pay traffic tickets online. Click on the "Pay Tickets Online" link on the right-hand side of the TPD home page.
Parking tickets must still be paid at the TDOT offices. |
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If the crime occurred in Tuscaloosa and a report was taken by a Tuscaloosa Police Officer, you must first obtain a copy of your police report. After you've gotten your report you must meet with a Municipal Court Magistrate either at the Municipal Court building or at police headquarters. |
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Yes. Fingerprinting is available to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am and from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. There is no charge for this service. |
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Pistol permits are issued by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office at 700 Greensboro Avenue.
More... |
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Make your house looked lived in. This includes stopping your paper and mail delivery or having a neighbor pick it up. Let your neighbors know your going out of town so they can "keep an eye" on your home. Leave a few lights on or leave certain lights on a timer. Call us at 349-2121 |
Revenue
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MONTHLY taxes are due by the 20th day of the month following the reporting period in which the tax is collected or accrued.
QUARTERLY taxes are due:
1st Qtr (Jan,Feb,Mar)due Apr 20th
2nd Qtr (Apr,May,June)due July 20th
3rd Qtr (July,Aug,Sept)due Oct 20th
4th Qtr (Oct,Nov,Dec)due Jan 20th |
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A business license is required by any person located in any business, vocation, occupation or profession in the City of Tuscaloosa or its Police Jurisdiction. Application for License/Tax Application |
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The first step is determining where your physical location will be. If this location is inside the city limits or the police jurisdiction, then you will be required to get your business location approved through a Code Compliance. Once this Code Compliance is completed, and then a business license will be issued based on your estimated gross receipts. |
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Sales, Use, Rental Tangible Personal Property, Lodging, Liquor, Wine, Tobacco, Commercial and Residential Rental |
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Payment is considered timely if delivered to the Revenue Department or postmarked by the postal service on or before the due date. If the 20th falls on a weekend or City holiday, the return must be postmarked on or before the next working day, or paid in the Revenue Department the first working day following the weekend or holiday. |
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Sales tax is a privilege tax imposed on the retail sale of tangible personal property. The tax is collected by the seller from their customer and remitted directly to the City of Tuscaloosa. All sales of tangible personal property are retail sales except those defined as wholesale sales. Sales Tax Report |
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Wholesale sales are sales of tangible personal property to licensed retail merchants, jobbers, dealers or others wholesalers for resale. It does not include sales to users or consumers that are not for resale. The seller must maintain the sales tax number or exemption number for these customers. |
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Use tax is to be filed by persons, firms or corporations storing, using or otherwise consuming tangible personal property in the City of Tuscaloosa or its Police Jurisdiction. Use tax is imposed on the sales price of the propert only if the City of Tuscaloosa sales tax cannont be assessed. Use Tax Report |
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The type of business license issued will be based on the type of business you will be operating. We can determine what type of license is necessary by asking you questions concerning your business. In some cases, more than one type of license may be required. Application for License/Tax Information |
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All City of Tuscaloosa businesses license expires December 31st and are renewable from January 1st until February 15th without a penalty. |
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