Ala. Code § 45-8A-23.186

At any time in any budget year, the council may, pursuant to this section, make emergency appropriations to meet a pressing need for public expenditure, for other than a regular or recurring requirement, to protect the public health, safety or welfare. Such appropriation shall be by resolution adopted by the favorable votes of at least four-fifths of the whole qualified membership of the council, and shall be made only upon written recommendation of the city manager. The total amount of all emergency appropriations made in any budget year shall not exceed three per centum of the total operating appropriations made in the budget for that year.