City of Clay Alabama

with Community at the Heart

 
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Latest Events

Mon, Aug 2nd, @7:00pm - 08:00PM
City Council Meetings
Mon, Aug 9th, @6:00pm - 07:00PM
Finance Committee Meeting - 2nd Monday - City Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Tue, Aug 10th, @5:30pm - 06:30PM
Park and Recreation Board
Tue, Aug 10th, @6:30pm - 07:30PM
School Committee Meeting
Thu, Aug 12th, @6:00pm - 07:00PM
Environmental Committee Meeting
Clay Basics

Why is my address of another city when I live in Clay?

 A. The City of Clay does not have a mail delivery ZIP code. The Clay ZIP code is only for post office boxes at the Clay Post office. Therefore, all mail delivered to Clay residences and businesses are routed through other post offices, such as Trussville, Pinson, Birmingham and Springville. The ZIP code reflects which post office the mail carrier is from. It has nothing to do with the city boundaries. This is something the city has asked to have changed many times and so far has been unsuccessful.


 Are the Clay schools city schools or county schools? 

A. Clay Elementary, Chalkville Elementary, Clay-Chalkville Middle School and Clay-Chalkville High School are under the Jefferson County Board of Education. Although Clay residents attend those schools, they are not city schools. Clay Elementary, Clay-Chalkville Middle School and Clay-Chalkville High School are inside the city limits. In 2007, a movement to form a city school system failed when voters rejected the tax increase needed to reach that goal. Currently, the City of Clay has a school committee that recommends ways the city and its residents can use their time, effort and money to enhance the four county schools that serve Clay residents.
 
 
 What services are offered to Clay residents who live in the City of Clay?
 
A.
  • The City has a top-notch building inspections department to protect the quality of structures built in the city.
  • The City has a planning and zoning commission and a plan for future development to make sure Clay's quality of life is preserved as it grows.
  • The City has an abatement board that protects property values by enforcing the City's ordinances against unkempt yards and abandoned, unsafe structures.
  • The City has garbage service for a fee. The fee is less than the amount county residents pay, yet it includes additional services such as yard debris pick up and appliance pick up.
  • The City has a community center that is available for rental at a reduced rate for Clay residents.
  • The City has Cosby Lake Park for community gatherings and fishing. The host of a group that wishes to use Cosby Lake for a gathering must be a Clay resident. To fish at the park, a person is required to have a state fishing license. 
  • The City manages the use of the Clay City Park and Bryant Park, primarily used for youth league sports.
  • The City provides enhanced law enforcement by paying for 40 hours per week of deputy patrol in addition to the coverage the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office provides.
  • The City provides recycle bins at City Hall for paper, cardboard, type 1 and type 2 plastic and aluminum. Batteries and print cartridges can be dropped off for recycle inside City Hall.
  • The City, with help from Jefferson County, provides an active senior activity center with many speakers, performers and even trips. Seniors who attend also receive a lunch for only $1.
  • The City of Clay has a brand new library, which opened on October 1, 2009.


 If I move into the city, what taxes are paid to the city?
 
A. The City of Clay does not charge any property, ad valorem tax. So a house or business in the City of Clay will pay the same property taxes as if they were in the unincorporated areas of Jefferson County. The City does levy a sales tax of 2%. This is in addition to the sales tax levied by Jefferson County and the State of Alabama. The total sales tax on retail purchases in the City of Clay is 8%. Franchise taxes on cable service and utilities, gas tax on gas purchased at stations inside the city limits and other taxes associated with automobile registration are an additional revenue source. The amount of these taxes is the same whether a person is in the City or not. The only difference is that this money comes to the City when a person lives in the City of Clay. The City also requires businesses to get a license. The amount is a minimum flat rate. A business with gross receipts over a set amount, which varies with each type of business, will pay a fee based on the gross receipts amount.
 

Why would someone want to live in Clay?
 
A. If you move to Clay, you will become part of a community. People in Clay care about each other and the future of their community. Through sports, schools and churches, friendships are made by people who get involved, mostly by volunteering their time. Much of the community-building activities center around family, as many families move to Clay to provide a wholesome environment for their children. Clay offers beautiful scenery with mountain views, many lakes and many parks relative to the number of residents. Clay residents also care for the environment, since the City has the unique privilege to be in the headwaters of sensitive watersheds: Cahaba River, Five Mile Creek, Turkey Creek and Canoe Creek. Clay has set a course to become a city that protects its natural assets and encourages business and residential growth that enhances Clay's quality of life and property values, not reduce it.


Does the city offer services for those who want to recycle?

A. Yes, behind City Hall is a large recycle bin for type 1 and type 2 plastics, aluminum, paper and cardboard. No glass is accepted. Inside City Hall is a container for recycling batteries and print cartridges.