City government · Lee County, AL
Opelika's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended September 30, 2023), Opelika took in $189 million and spent $172 million.
See every government that serves your ZIP
Where it comes from
What stands out
of Opelika's money comes from sales tax.Most U.S. cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people get none.
City taxes50%
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; other licenses and 5 more
- Occupation and business licenses$20.3 million
- Other licenses$4.7 million
- Motor fuel taxes$963 thousand
- Other selective sales taxes$923 thousand
- Public utility taxes$570 thousand
- Tobacco taxes$67 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage taxes$34 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services44%
What's in fees for servicesElectric power; water and 6 more
- Electric power$49.8 million
- Water$16.0 million
- Sewer$5.9 million
- Garbage collection$4.7 million
- Other service charges$2.7 million
- Other government-run businesses$2.3 million
- Parks and recreation$1.7 million
- Road charges$47 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money0.4%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money1.2%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money<0.1%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other4.6%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Opelika's spending goes to water, sewer, trash and other utilities.A typical U.S. city of 10,000 to 50,000 people spends 24%.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesElectric power; sewer systems and 2 more
- Electric power$44.7 million
- Sewer systems$10.7 million
- Water supply$9.3 million
- Garbage and solid waste$5.1 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; government buildings and 3 more
- Other and not broken out$33.6 million
- Government buildings$6.8 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$3.4 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$1.2 million
- Other government-run businesses$264 thousand
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 4 more
- Police$12.8 million
- Fire protection$6.9 million
- Courts and legal services$718 thousand
- Inspections and regulation$596 thousand
- Prisons and jails$225 thousand
- Probation, parole and other corrections$109 thousand
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$14.6 million
- Libraries$1.3 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and airports
- Roads and highways$10.3 million
- Airports$138 thousand
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt; interest on water supply debt and 1 more
- Interest on general debt$2.8 million
- Interest on water supply debt$2.7 million
- Interest on electric power debt$1.1 million
What's in health and hospitalsHospitals and public health
- Hospitals$1.2 million
- Public health$754 thousand
What's in social servicesWelfare institutions
- Welfare institutions$853 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Opelika. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Opelika itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.