Ala. Code § 45-8A-112.09: Salaries.

The salary to be paid each subordinate employee and department head shall be determined by his or her appointing authority. In every case the salary paid shall be within the minimum and maximum salary range established by the board. It shall be unlawful for any official or employee to draw or issue any warrant on the city treasury for the payment of salary to any employee covered by this part unless the warrant is in an amount authorized by the board to be paid to the employee. A sum paid as salary contrary to this section may be recovered in an action brought by any resident of the city against the official or employee who draws or issues the warrant, or against the sureties on his or her bond.