SB165 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Jefferson Co., county manager, county commission required to hire, employment in non-merit (at-will) position, qualifications, term, benefits, duties, filling vacancies, Act 2009-662, 2009 Reg. Sess.; Act 2009-812, 2009 1st Sp. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB165 would reinforce Jefferson County's county-manager system by making the county manager an at-will chief executive with defined qualifications, staffing authority, and removal rules, while increasing the county commission's oversight and altering how the position is filled and governed.

What This Bill Does

The bill reintroduces and amends the Jefferson County county-manager framework, establishing the county manager as an at-will employee who serves at the pleasure of the county commission (not for a fixed term). It outlines how the position can be created or abolished, sets vacancy hiring procedures, and defines salary, benefits, and removal-for-cause rules. It also grants the manager authority to hire and dismiss certain staff (with commission consultation), details duties and reporting requirements, and repeals a conflicting section of a prior act; it includes provisions for acting managers during vacancies and makes the act effective immediately.

Who It Affects

• Jefferson County Commission and county government staff, who gain or adjust authority to hire, supervise, and remove the county manager and department heads, set the manager's salary and benefits, and oversee budget and operations.
• Jefferson County residents and county employees, who may be affected by governance changes (including an advisory referendum on establishing the county manager position) and by staffing/budget decisions that influence county services and employment terms.

Key Provisions

• The county manager position is created/amended as an at-will, full-time chief executive appointed by the county commission, serving at the commission's pleasure and not under a fixed term.
• The county commission may abolish the county manager position by unanimous vote, with procedures to follow after abolition; the act also allows for an advisory referendum on establishing the position.
• A vacancy triggers a national search by a specialized firm, with the firm listing up to five finalists; final selection requires a four-fifths vote by the county commission and must comply with anti-discrimination policies.
• The county manager is to serve a five-year term (with possible renewal for another five years by a four-fifths vote) and is exempt from the county merit system; the initial and subsequent hires follow strict qualifications.
• Qualifications require a Master's in Public Administration, MBA, or JD, or at least 10 years of high-level executive experience; the position is full-time and requires a nonrecourse bond of at least $50,000 for faithful performance.
• Salary must be set at a level at least equal to the median for similar counties in the southeastern U.S.; the manager may participate in county benefit plans.
• The manager may hire and supervise certain staff (secretary, up to two deputy county managers, and a chief financial officer) with commission approval; the manager's appointments to department heads may be vetoed by a portion of the commission within a specified period.
• Removal for cause requires a four-fifths vote; if removed without cause, the county may provide a severance package (up to three months' pay); if removed for cause, the manager forfeits further compensation.
• Duties include advising the commission, overseeing projects, appointing department heads (with limited commission veto power), managing the county budget, conducting analyses, and ensuring efficient administration; the manager attends commission meetings and oversees contracts and purchases within authorized limits.
• Acting county managers may be appointed during vacancy, absence, or disability for up to 12 months, with the appointed acting manager being a non-merit employee eligible for benefits; a new acting manager can be appointed if needed.
• The act repeals conflicting laws (including Section 7 of Act 2009-812) and becomes effective immediately upon passage and 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

Jefferson County