SB201 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben H. Brooks

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Rusty Glover

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Mobile Co., county commission, composition, referendum

Summary

SB201 would let Mobile County voters decide in a 2010 referendum how the Mobile County Commission is structured—number of members and full-time vs. part-time status—and would introduce a county manager and single-member districts if certain options are chosen, repealing conflicting laws.

What This Bill Does

It sets up a referendum in Mobile County with four options for the County Commission: stay at 3 members, switch to 5 full-time members elected from single-member districts, switch to 5 part-time members with the total salary shared and add a county manager, or switch to 7 part-time members with the total salary shared and add a county manager. The option receiving 50% plus one vote in the primary is implemented; if none achieve a majority, the top two go to the general election, and the winner is implemented. If the 3-member option is chosen, the commission remains three full-time members. If any of the other options are chosen, implementation requires federal preclearance and involves creating single-member districts, establishing salary structures, and employing a county manager to run day-to-day operations with specified qualifications.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County residents and voters who would vote in the referendum and live under whichever new structure is chosen.
• Mobile County government and potential county commissioners and county staff who would be affected by changes in the board size, districting, salaries, and the introduction of a county manager.

Key Provisions

• A 2010 referendum in Mobile County with four questions on the County Commission’s size and structure: 3 members (current), 5 full-time with single-member districts, 5 part-time with single-member districts and a county manager, or 7 part-time with single-member districts and a county manager.
• The option that receives 50% plus one vote at the primary is implemented; if none do, the two top options go to the general election, and the winner is implemented.
• If Question 1 is selected, the County Commission remains three full-time members.
• If Question 2 is selected, after federal preclearance the Commission becomes five full-time members elected from single-member districts, with districts drawn to equal population and salaries/benefits equal to the prior term.
• If Question 3 is selected, after preclearance the Commission becomes five part-time members, salaries equal to the total of the three full-time members, districts drawn to equal population, and a county manager is employed to run day-to-day operations with specified qualifications.
• If Question 4 is selected, after preclearance the Commission becomes seven part-time members, salaries equal to the total of the three full-time members, districts drawn to equal population, and a county manager is employed under the same terms.
• The county manager must meet defined education, experience, knowledge, and skills requirements and shall serve at the pleasure of the commission; termination requires a written notice signed by a majority of members at least 90 days before termination.
• The act would repeal conflicting laws and take effect after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mobile County