Ala. Code § 45-8A-22.09
The salary to be paid each civil service employee and each grandfathered employee shall be determined by his or her appointing authority; 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 civil service employee or grandfathered employee covered by the provisions of this subpart unless the warrant is in an amount authorized by the board to be paid such employee. A sum paid as salary contrary to the provisions of 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.
Ala. Code § 45-8A-22.09 (1975)