A coalition of ten Hoover City Council candidates, led by transparency advocate Robin Schultz, is pledging to demand a comprehensive state audit of the city’s finances on their first day in office if elected.

Schultz, founder of The Hoover Channel and a long-time voice for accountability, spearheaded the effort after a city-commissioned forensic review revealed major financial discrepancies, including a $36 million fund balance overstatement and the deletion of thousands of financial files. The review warned that the problems could open the door to fraud.

“We cannot ignore the giant red flags in Hoover’s finances,” Schultz said. “The taxpayers deserve absolute clarity, and our coalition is committed to delivering it by introducing a resolution to ask the Alabama State Board of Examiners to conduct a forensic audit.”

The coalition includes Schultz along with Clint Bircheat, Gene Smith, Kenneth Cox, Ashley Lovell, Donna Mazur, Steve Lawrence, Steve McClinton, Khristi Driver, and Derrick Murphy.

“Let me be crystal clear, this is not about politics—it’s about restoring trust,” said Ashley Lovell, Place 3 candidate. “Robin’s leadership brought us together to demand answers and most importantly action. Hoover needs leaders who prioritize transparency over excuses.”

If elected, the candidates say their first action will be introducing a resolution calling for an immediate, independent audit by the Alabama State Auditor’s Office.

“Hoover’s residents deserve leaders who act decisively and put the community first,” Schultz added. “Our coalition is united to deliver accountability and rebuild confidence in our city’s governance.”

The 2025 Hoover municipal election for mayor and city council seats will take place on August 26. The coalition’s stance marks one of the strongest transparency-focused platforms in the race so far.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].