Ala. Code § 45-51A-33.135: Emergency Appropriations.

At any time in any budget year, the council, pursuant to this section, may 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 voting affirmative votes by a majority of the council members present, but only on the recommendation of the mayor. The total amount of all emergency appropriations made in any budget year shall not exceed five per centum of the total general fund operating appropriations made in the budget for that year.