Alabama Code Title 45. Local Laws § 45-8A-130.09

The salary to be paid each subordinate employee shall be determined by his or her appointing authority;  and the salary to be paid each department head employee shall be determined by the city governing body;  but in every case the salary paid shall be within the pay plan and pay rules and regulations established by the board and shall be no more than the board approves. 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 such 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.