Ala. Code § 45-37A-52.135: Emergency Appropriations.

At any time in any budget year, the council may, pursuant to this section, make emergency appropriations to meet a pressing need for public expenditures, for other than a regular or recurring requirement, to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. Such appropriation may be made by the council, by not less than five affirmative votes, but only on the recommendation of the mayor. The total amount of all emergency appropriations made in any budget year shall not exceed five percent of the total general fund operating appropriations made in the budget for that year.