Ala. Code § 45-8A-23.212

Whenever after the next preceding establishment of wards and not less than nine months before any regular election of councilmen there shall have been any change in the corporate limits of the city, the manager shall not less than seven months before such election prepare in writing and submit to the council a proposed division of the city into not less than five nor more than seven new wards. This written proposed division shall describe with clarity and certainty each of the wards proposed therein. This proposed division as submitted shall be entered by the city clerk in the journal.