Council Member Michelle Watkins
Michelle Watkins is a proud native of Huntsville, deeply committed to her community and dedicated to giving every voice a platform. She believes that true leadership involves understanding the concerns of her neighbors and actively advocating for solutions that benefit all residents.
Michelle’s journey to the City Council is marked by perseverance and a lifelong dedication to making a difference. With eight years of experience on the Huntsville City School Board, she is eager to drive positive change within the district and beyond.
As a lifelong resident of Huntsville, Michelle graduated from James Oliver Johnson High School before pursuing higher education at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master’s in Secondary Education, and an Education Specialist Degree. Her commitment to leadership is further exemplified by her graduation from Leadership Huntsville Focus Class 27 and her certification as an Oracle Instructor.
City approves partnership to expand affordable housing in northwest Huntsville
October 23, 2025
Homeownership dreams are taking shape in northwest Huntsville with the City’s approval of an agreement with Family Services Center to turn an empty lot on Olson Street into a welcoming, affordable home for a local family. Family Services Center Inc. is a certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). The agreement allows the nonprofit to use $238,750 in federal HOME Investment Partnerships funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [more]
Read MoreCity Council elects District 3 Council Member Jennie Robinson as president
October 9, 2025
The City Council elected District 3 Council Member Jennie Robinson as president at its annual organizational meeting. As president, Robinson will preside over meetings and handle Council administrative duties. District 4 Council Member Bill Kling was elected President Pro Tem and will preside over meetings in the absence of the president. District 2 Council Member David Little was elected Third Presiding Officer.
Read MoreCity Council requests Northern Bypass extension to be named Bob Wade Lane
October 9, 2025
The City Council approved a resolution asking the Alabama State Legislature to name a new extension of the Northern Bypass to Bob Wade Lane. This section of State Route 255 (SR 255) runs from Pulaski Pike to North Memorial Parkway. For continuity, an initial proposal recommended naming the new section as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Road, which is the highway’s name from Research Park Boulevard to Pulaski Pike. Following a series [more]
Read MoreMore highway digital message boards coming to Huntsville
September 25, 2025
The City of Huntsville and the Alabama Department of Transportation entered into a funding agreement that will place digital highway message signs along U.S. 72 East, U.S. 431 and U.S. 231. The agreement, finalized by City Council approval, totals $3.1 million. The Federal Carbon Reduction Program will cover 80% of the cost ($2.48 million) and the City will cover 20% ($640,000). The signs will be similar to the two that are located [more]
Read MoreHuntsville City Council approves $343 million operating budget for 2026 fiscal year
September 25, 2025
With more money for road resurfacing and an increase in staffing for police, the Huntsville City Council approved the operating budget as well as the City’s two capital improvement budgets. Mayor Tommy Battle proposed an operating budget of $343,723,103, which includes $30,417,499 for 60 outside agencies and rolls forward $7,854,424 in savings from the 2025 fiscal year budget. “I commend the Council for their diligent work in reviewing and approving the budget [more]
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