In the search for information on a city manager form of government, Pell City invited officials from neighboring cities to share their experiences on the matter with the council and members of the public.  

Last Wednesday, Vestavia Hills mayor Butch Zaragosa and Mountain Brook city manager Sam Gaston were on hand to answer questions about the city manager form of government.

Mountain Brook was the first municipality in Alabama to have a city manager, which was established in 1942.  

Gaston said the council-city manager type of government is the fastest-growing type of government in the nation, and in areas with a population of 5,000 or more, it is hands down the most popular.

A total of 3,500 municipalities and 72 counties across the country have conformed to this type of government.

“It takes politics out of the day-to-day operation of the government, and added more professionalism into day-to-day operations,” Gaston said. “It can offer strong political leadership and strong operational leadership from appointed personnel.”

Gaston likened government to a business, where citizens function as shareholders, and the board hires a city manager, which deals with the everyday operations of the city much like a Chief Executive Officer of a company would.

As city manager of Mountain Brook, Gaston said he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city government, including developing the city’s budget. He also forms recommendations on policy development, though he does not have a vote on it, and makes sure all laws and ordinances are being enforced.

“It offers a more streamlined government. The council is free to pursue more future planning and goal setting for the city,” Gaston said.

For the city as a business, it also offers more protection to make sure things are run smoothly. Mayors do not have to be qualified to run a business to take office, while city managers normally have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in things like city planning, as well as experience serving other cities. A city manager can also be fired if not living up to their duties, rather than a mayor, who cannot be ousted until the next election cycle.

It also offers more protection and job security for employees, Gaston said, by eliminating political nepotism.

“Employees are better trained and paid, on average. There are no hires for political reasons …  and I can’t just fire anyone because I don’t like their coat,” he explained.

Should Pell City choose to change to a city manager government, there are multiple options as to how they could approach the subject. The city council could pass an ordinance establishing the city manager position, which would allow swift implementation, but provide little job security for the city manager, as the ordinance could be removed at any time should the council decide to do so.

Secondly, the city could change its form of government entirely, which would go to a vote. A petition of 10 percent of the voters who voted in the last election — a total of 210 to 250 signatures — would require a vote on the matter for the citizens to determine the form of city government. However, this would put the traditional council-city manager form of government on the table, which would reduce the number of councilmen serving.

“It’s hard for us to cover our districts as it is, which is why I don’t like the idea of voting. You take away your representation,” Councilmember Greg Gossett said. “If we do this with your blessing, you’ve still got the mayor and council.”

A third option would be to get a legislative act passed, allowing the city to maintain their current mayor/council structure while adding the city manager. Vestavia Hills added their city manager by using this option, maintaining their five city council seats.

“The traditional format would be three district [seats], one at large and one mayor, but no one in the state has done that. Everyone with this form of government has tailored it to their situation,” Gaston said.

Hereford said the move to a city manager would reduce the mayor’s salary to pay for the new position, and possibly change the mayor to a part-time position.

“There is a large pool of potential great leaders for our city by changing it to a part-time position,” he explained.

Public feedback from the first public meeting was largely positive and interested in pursuing the option of havinga  city manager. A follow-up session was also scheduled last Thursday, with Talladega city manager Brian Muenger available for questions.

The city council will continue to discuss the matter, but citizens are encouraged to contact their councilmen and make their opinions on the matter heard.