Tensions rise at Homewood public forum regarding new form of government

HOMEWOOD, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Homewood voters will decide whether the city will change its form of government.

The proposal to add a city manager and reduce the number of council members from 11 to 4 was discussed during a public forum Wednesday.

City Council President Alex Wyatt said, given Homewood’s size, there is a need for a city manager.

“What we decided was that four was probably the best moving forward because it would have the opportunity to keep people familiar with what they had, and, again, we have evidence that it works well, looking at other cities that are our size.” said Wyatt.

Wyatt said this form of government will also help with the advancement of the city.

“Given the complexity of our city government at this point. The size of it, we need a full-time chief executive that is in the city hall everyday handling issues, being responsive to people, and will provide a better government moving forward.”

A number of residents shared their thoughts and heard from Wyatt and other council members about this proposal during Wednesday’s meeting.

Homewood resident Chadwick Stagner said he’s voting no as he has concerns and frustration.

“It’s going to harm the representation and the way they’ve done this, the process, it’s called bait and switch or hide the ball,” said Stagner.

Stagner said he supports the need for a city manager but feels council members have other options they can pursue.

“They could have picked two or three others that would not require the reduction of representatives.” said Stagner.

With the decision left in residents’ hands, Richard Dluhy says he’s voting yes.

“Homewood can’t get to where it needs to be as a city with the current part-time structure. It needs to professionalize and modernize the way the city council and the government runs,” said Dluhy.

Homewood residents will vote on this September 24.

If that vote does pass, this new form of government will go into place in November of 2025.

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