Calera City Council approves new government structure

CALERA, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Calera City Council voted Monday to approve a resolution that will change their form of government.

The council will now be able to elect a Council President and President Pro-Tem, meaning Calera Mayor Jon Graham will no longer preside over the council. The President and President Pro-Tem that is elected will have administrative power over the council.

Five council members voted in favor of this change. Councilman Kenny Dale Cost was the only councilor that voted against it. Cost declined to comment.

Councilor Kay Snowden-Turner is among the councilors who voted in favor of the resolution, saying it’s a smart move to help balance the growing population in Calera.

“In my opinion it’s a long time coming. We certainly need this. This is a forward move for our city. The things that we need to look at moving forward will involve the council taking control,” said Snowden-Turner. “It was based on the census that our population is over 12,000 and in order, it is supposed to go into effect because of the population growth.”

According to Snowden-Turner, this change will go into effect following the 2025 election.

Olivia Lowery is one resident who says she is in favor of the decision saying it may allow residents to feel a direct connection to the council members representing them.

“I feel like it’s an awesome move, it’s definitely going to give the citizens you know, more power I feel like,” said Lowery. “We don’t get a lot of that, so I feel it’s definitely a move in the right direction as far as including us instead of just one power you know.”

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