Tuscaloosa Mayor Breaks Tie to Create Public Safety Director Job Overseeing Police & Fire

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox broke a tied vote last night and set the job specifications for a new high-level position unifying leadership of the city's police department, fire & rescue service, E-911 service and more.

The resolution establishes the position of Executive Director of Public Safety and outlines its job classifications.  The concept has existed here before in the form of a Public Safety Commissioner, but that role was phased out when the city council was founded in 1985.

Although Maddox first pitched the idea of reviving the concept of a Public Safety Commissioner back in July, the Tuesday vote came as something of a surprise.

The mayor had committed to advancing the proposal through three different committees of the city council - the Administration Committee, the Public Safety Committee and the Finance Committee.

The Public Safety Committee voted to advance the matter on July 22nd, and the Admin Committee did the same on August 5th; however, the Finance Committee had not yet done so. They most recently heard a presentation about budget amendments for the new role on September 30th, but tabled the matter until their meeting on November 4th.

Get our free mobile app

Even so, the resolution was on the agenda for full council consideration Tuesday night, despite not having the blessing of the Finance Committee, which is still expected to weigh in on the salary and budget associated with the new position.

The early vote came at the request of District 1 Councilman Joe Eatmon, who represents a large portion of West Tuscaloosa.

"I represent a District that has historically had challenges with public safety, and I really feel it's important that we move this forward," Eatmon said during a pre-council briefing. "I know there are some questions about overtime, salary, and all that. [...] In my mind, I ask how much is a life really worth? We may say we don't know if this position is going to solve the problems, but at the same time, we don't know that it won't. If one life is saved by this, I think it will be well worth every penny."

The resolution was also moved to the front of the agenda after Councilman Eatmon stated that he had a family emergency and could only attend the first few minutes of the 5 p.m. city council meeting.

Under those circumstances, the council took up the vote to approve the job class specifications for an Executive Director of Public Safety before any other business on Tuesday, and the result was a 3-3 split.

Councilors Joe Eatmon, Raevan Howard, and Cassius Lanier voted yes. Norman Crow, Lee Busby, and John Faile voted no. Council President Kip Tyner was not at the meeting as he recovers from surgery.

That left Mayor Maddox with the tie-breaking vote, and he cast a yes vote.

"Keeping our neighborhoods, businesses, and schools safe while ensuring a timely and effective response has never been more complex," Mayor Maddox said in a statement. "In Tuscaloosa, that challenge is amplified by the more than 70 days each year when our police, fire, and other city departments are tasked with protecting nearly a million people attending sporting events, concerts, and other major attractions."

Although the salary for the position and other finer details will still require approval from the council, Maddox said Tuesday's vote moves the ball forward.

"The threats we face continue to evolve, and our strategies must evolve with them. Tonight’s City Council vote marks a meaningful step forward in strengthening our ability to respond in this dynamic environment without adding cost," he said. "While there is still work ahead to be done with the Council, this decision reinforces our unwavering commitment to public safety as our top priority."

The job's responsibilities will include oversight of the police department, fire department, E-911 service, event security operations and more. This new position would also direct the city's response during crisis events in whatever form they take.

For coverage of ongoing discussions about the role and other news from City Hall, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.