Former University of Alabama star football player Kool-Aid McKinstry was honored in Pinson last month with a key to the city, but when the bill came in, the City Council argued about whether or not to pay for it.

At a Pinson City Council meeting on Thursday, Council member Glenda Kirkland questioned whether the cost of the key to the city, $175, should be spent on one person.

“I don’t think the taxpayers should have to pay for it,” she said.

She said she had no problem with the $405 cost of food at the after-party that was open to the public to celebrate “Kool-Aid McKinstry Day” in Pinson.

“I thought the event was fantastic, I think the person is fantastic we honored; I also thought taxpayer dollars should not go to individual support,” said Council member Robbie Roberts. “I think that should be paid for with private funds.”

The Council temporarily voted against the spending to pay the city’s bills that included the cost of the key to the city on a city credit card.

“We’re in a sticky situation here,” Roberts said.

“The council was not approached in advance of an event; the mayor decided to go ahead and have the event; now the council is being asked to pay for the event; and there seems to be disagreement about whether we should pay or not.”

To side-step the budget impasse, Roberts said he would personally write a check for the $175 cost of the key to the city.

“In an effort to solve this, I will personally pay,” he said.

The council was criticized on social media for debating the issue at all.

“After consulting with our City Attorney, I concluded that the purchase of a $175 key would not be a legal expenditure of city funds because it was not of a de minimus amount,” Roberts posted in response.

“While all of us are proud of Kool Aid and wish him much future success, our oath and the laws of our state required us to debate how to pay for our small token of appreciation.

“I hope that my attempt to resolve the issue by personally paying for the cost of the key will be accepted as an apology for any ill feelings brought on by tonight’s council vote,” Roberts wrote.

McKinstry played for the Pinson Valley High School football team, leading them to the Alabama 6A championship in 2020. He was named Alabama Mr. Football and USA Today Defensive Player of the Year.

Playing cornerback under Alabama Coach Nick Saban, McKinstry was on the SEC All-Freshman team, AP All-SEC defensive team and an AP first team All American.