Abandonment of Commission Form of Government in Class 6 Municipalities.

Ala. Code tit. 11, tit. 2, ch. 44D

in effect

Ala. Code § 11-44D-1 Ordinance Abandoning Commission Form of Government and Referendum Adopting Mayor-Council or Manager-Council Form.

11-44D-1. Ordinance Abandoning Commission Form of Government and Referendum Adopting Mayor-Council or Manager-Council Form. Within three months of the adoption and approval of this chapter, the governing body of any Class 6 municipality with a commission form of government may by a majority vote of the members of that governing body adopt an ordinance abandoning the commission form of government and calling for a referendum to be held at public expense within 60 days after such call for the purpose of determining whether such city shall adopt the mayor-council form of government, authorized by this chapter, or in the alternative the manager-council form of government authorized by this chapter. The mayor or chief executive officer shall give notice of the time and purpose of such referendum election by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, or, if there is no such newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, by posting notice thereof in three public places within the municipality. All qualified electors of the city may participate in said election, as provided by this chapter, and the questions shall be plainly printed upon the ballot as provided in Section 11-44D-2. The proposal for which the majority of votes cast shall be “yes,” or in favor of such proposition shall thereby be adopted for such city, and the mayor or other chief executive officer shall transmit to the Governor, to the Secretary of State, and to the judge of probate of the county, a certificate stating that such proposition was adopted for such city. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §1.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-2 Form of Referendum Ballot; Use of Voting Machines.

11-44D-2. Form of Referendum Ballot; Use of Voting Machines. At such election the proposition to be submitted shall be printed in plain prominent type on ballots separate and distinct from ballots used for any other office or question and shall read as follows: Check only one of the following: (1) Shall the mayor-council form of government, as provided by Act _____, be adopted for the City of _____? YES _____; or (2) Shall the council-manager form of government, as provided by Act _____, be adopted for the City of _____? YES _____. The voter shall mark his ballot with a cross mark (X) after the proposition which expresses his choice. If voting machines are used at any voting place in such election, the above proposition may at the discretion of the body or official having charge of the conduct of municipal elections in such city, be submitted as a separate proposition on voting machines so used. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §2.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-3 Conduct of Referendum; Election Results Determine Which Provisions of Chapter Applicable; Election Expenses.

11-44D-3. Conduct of Referendum; Election Results Determine Which Provisions of Chapter Applicable; Election Expenses. The referendum shall be held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of this title, except as herein otherwise specifically provided. If the majority of votes shall be in favor of the mayor-council form of government, then only the applicable provisions of this chapter shall thereby be adopted for such city; if the majority of the votes shall be in favor of the council-manager form of government, then only the applicable provisions of this chapter shall thereby be adopted for such city. The expenses of any and all elections provided for in this chapter shall be paid by the city. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §3.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-4 Mayor-Council Form of Government.

11-44D-4. Mayor-Council Form of Government. If a majority of the qualified electors voting in the referendum provided herein choose a mayor-council form of government, the following provisions of this chapter shall be applicable: (1) The municipality shall thereafter and as provided in this chapter be governed by a mayor elected at-large and a five-member council elected from single-member districts, which municipality shall have the same powers and duties as herein enumerated and as other mayor-council municipalities organized under Chapter 43, Title 11, and any other powers and duties not inconsistent with this chapter which may be now or hereafter granted to such municipality. (2) The council shall include five members who shall be elected from districts, which shall be, as near as practicable, of equal population according to the last federal decennial census, but not more than five percent, more or less, than the average of the five districts. (3) The council members shall be qualified electors of the city, shall have been residents of the district which they represent for at least 90 days prior to the time of filing their statement of candidacy and shall reside in their district during their term of office. If any councilman shall remove from within the limits of his district, his office shall become vacant. (4) All legislative powers of the city, including all powers vested in it by this chapter, by the laws, general and local, of the state, and by the Code of Alabama 1975, as amended, and the determination of all matters of legislative policy shall be vested in the council. Without limitation of the foregoing, the council shall have power to: a. Establish administrative departments and distribute the work of divisions, b. Adopt the budget of the city, c. Authorize the issuance of bonds, warrants, or other securities, d. Inquire into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the city and make investigations as to municipal affairs, e. Appoint those members of municipal boards which are subject to appointment by the council of other mayor-council municipalities organized under Chapter 43, Title 11, f. Succeed to all the powers, rights, and privileges conferred upon the former governing body of the city by statutes in effect at the time of adoption by the city of the mayor-council form of government and not in conflict with this chapter, g. Levy property, sales, use, excise, franchise, and license taxes and local improvements assessments. (5) The council, by majority vote of the whole qualified membership of the council, shall elect one of its own members to serve as president of the council. The council president shall preside at all meetings of the council and shall have the right to vote on all questions the same as any other member of the council. In case of the absence of the mayor, or his inability to serve on account of sickness, temporary disability, or other good reason, the council president shall act as mayor pro tempore with the power and authority of the mayor during such time. While the president of the council is serving as mayor pro tempore, he shall receive no additional compensation, and may vote on any matters before council. In the event of a failure or refusal of the president of the council to act as mayor pro tempore, the council may appoint one of its members to act as mayor pro tempore with like effect, which appointment shall be entered in the minutes of council. In the event of a vacancy in the office of president of the council, the office shall be filled by majority vote of those members of the council voting. (6) The council, by majority vote of the whole qualified membership of the council, shall elect one of its own members to serve as president pro tempore of the council. The president pro tempore shall serve in the absence of the council president. If a vacancy exists in the office of president pro tempore of the council, the office shall be filled by majority vote of those members of the council voting. (7) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, council members may vote for themselves for the offices of president and president pro tempore of the council. The president and president pro tempore of the council shall hold their respective offices until the next council takes office, unless otherwise provided in this chapter. (8) Any vacancies on the council shall be filled as herein provided: a. If the vacated term has less than one year remaining, then the remaining members of the council shall appoint a successor at any regular meeting by a majority vote of those members voting. In the event of a deadlock, and for purposes of breaking the deadlock, the mayor shall cast a vote to fill the vacancy. For purposes of this subsection, a deadlock shall be determined to exist when, at the end of the third regular meeting of the council following the creation of the vacancy, the council shall not have selected a person to fill the vacancy. b. If the term has been declared vacant and has one year or more remaining, the council shall call for a special election to fill the vacancy. Such election shall be held not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days from the date such vacancy occurred. Special elections called pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted as provided by the general laws of this state regarding municipal elections. c. The persons selected or elected to fill a vacancy shall possess all the qualifications of office, including residence in the district he represents, and shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term until a successor has been qualified and elected. (9) The mayor shall be elected by the whole of the electors of the city, shall be a qualified elector of the city, and shall have been a resident of the city at least 90 days prior to the time of filing his statement of candidacy, and shall reside within the limits of the city during his term of office. If the mayor shall remove from within the limits of the city, his office shall become vacant. (10) All executive powers of the city shall be vested in the mayor and the mayor shall be the head of the executive and administrative branches of city government. The mayor shall not sit with council nor have a vote in its proceedings, but he shall have veto power the same as is provided in Section 11-45-4, as amended. The mayor shall be responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the city, and, except as otherwise provided herein, the mayor shall have the power and shall be required to: a. Enforce all laws and ordinances, b. Appoint and remove, when necessary for the good of the service, all officers and employees of the city subject to the provisions of Section 11-43-81, as amended, and subject to the provisions of any civil service or merit system law applicable to such municipality. The mayor may authorize the head of a department or office to appoint and remove subordinates in such department or office, c. Appoint those members of municipal boards which are subject to appointment by the mayor of other mayor-council municipalities organized under Chapter 43, Title 11, d. Exercise administrative supervision and control over all officers, employees, offices, departments, and agencies of the municipality or hereafter created by council, except those otherwise given independent status; and subject to any civil service or merit system law in effect in such municipality, e. Keep the council fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city; prepare and submit the budget annually to the council and be responsible for its administration after its adoption; prepare and submit, as of the end of the fiscal year, a complete report on the financial and administrative activities of the city for such year, f. Recommend to the council such actions as the mayor deems desirable, g. Prepare and submit to the council such reports as may be required of the mayor, h. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or required of the mayor by ordinance or by resolution of the council not inconsistent with this chapter. (11) Whenever any vacancy in the office of mayor shall occur by reason of death, resignation, removal, or any other cause, the president of the council shall assume the duties of the office of mayor effective on the date such vacancy occurs and shall serve as acting mayor until a new mayor is elected. While the president of the council is serving as acting mayor, he shall receive the same rate of pay and allowance provided for the mayor whose vacated office he fills, and may vote on any matters before council. In the event of a failure or refusal of the president of the council to serve as acting mayor, the council may appoint one of its members to serve as acting mayor with like effect, which appointment shall be entered in the minutes of council. The council shall within 21 days of the occurrence of the vacancy in the office of the mayor call for a special election to fill the vacancy, such election to be held not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days from the date the vacancy occurred. Special elections called pursuant to this section shall be conducted as provided by the general laws of this state regarding municipal elections. The successor to the mayor chosen at any such election shall qualify for office as soon as practicable thereafter, and shall assume the duties, responsibilities, and powers of such office immediately upon such qualification, and shall hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor and until his successor is elected and qualified. (12) All laws or parts of laws relating to other mayor-council municipalities organized under chapter 43, Title 11, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, shall become applicable to any municipality choosing the mayor-council form of government pursuant to this chapter. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §4.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-5 Council-Manager Form of Government.

11-44D-5. Council-Manager Form of Government. If a majority of the qualified electors voting in the referendum herein choose a council-manager form of government the following provisions of this chapter shall be applicable: (1) The municipality shall thereafter and as provided in this chapter be governed by a council-manager form of government, with a five-member council elected from single-member districts, which municipality shall have the same powers and duties as other council-manager municipalities organized under chapter 43A, Title 11, and any other powers and duties not inconsistent with this chapter, which may have been heretofore granted to such municipalities. (2) The council shall include five members who shall be elected from districts, which shall be, as near as practicable, of equal population according to the last federal decennial census, but not more than five percent, more or less, than the average of the five districts. (3) The council members shall be qualified electors of the city, they shall have been residents of the district which they represent for at least 90 days prior to the time of filing their statement of candidacy and shall reside in their district during their term of office. If any councilman shall remove from within the limits of his district, his office shall become vacant. (4) The council shall, by the affirmative vote of at least three members, elect one of its members to serve as mayor and one of its members to serve as assistant mayor. The mayor shall preside at the meetings of the council and shall be recognized as the head of municipal government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purpose of military law, but shall have no other administrative duties. The assistant mayor shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor. Any vacancies in the offices of mayor or assistant mayor shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the council. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, council members may vote for themselves for the offices of mayor and assistant mayor. (5) The council shall exercise the same powers, functions, and duties as exercised by the council of any other municipality organized pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 43A, Title 11. (6) The council, by a majority vote of the whole qualified membership of the council, shall appoint a city manager, who shall have the same qualifications, perform the same duties, and assume the same obligations as the manager of any other municipality organized pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 43A, Title 11. (7) Any vacancies on the council shall be filled as herein provided: a. If the vacated term has less than one year remaining then the remaining members of the council shall appoint a successor at any regular meeting by a majority vote of those members voting. In the event of a deadlock, and for purposes of breaking the deadlock, the mayor shall cast an additional vote to fill the vacancy. For purposes of this paragraph, a deadlock shall be determined to exist when at the end of the third regular meeting of the council following the creation of the vacancy, the council shall not have selected a person to fill the vacancy. b. If the term has been declared vacant and has one year or more remaining, the council shall call for a special election to fill the vacancy. Such election shall be held not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days from the date such vacancy occurred. Special elections called pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted as provided by the general laws of this state regarding municipal elections. c. The person selected or elected to fill a vacancy shall possess all the qualifications of office, including residence in the district he represents, and shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term until a successor has been qualified and elected. (8) All laws or parts of laws relating to other council-manager municipalities organized under Chapter 43A, Title 11, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, shall become applicable to any municipality choosing the council-manager form of government pursuant to this chapter. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §5.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-6 Provisions Applicable to Both Mayor-Council and Manager-Council Forms of Government.

11-44D-6. Provisions Applicable to Both Mayor-Council and Manager-Council Forms of Government. The following provisions shall apply regardless of which form of government the majority of the qualified electors voting in the referendum provided herein choose: (1) Within 30 days after the referendum, the governing body of such municipality shall adopt an ordinance, a. Establishing the boundaries of the five-council districts herein provided for, and b. Establishing the salaries to be paid the mayor and council members to be elected at the first election to be held hereunder. (2) The governing body shall take such steps as are necessary to comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. (3) Within 10 days after the receipt of notification of compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, the mayor or other chief executive officer shall give notice of an election for the members of the city council, and for mayor if the mayor-council form of government was adopted, to be held not more than 90 days after the publication of said notice. (4) On noon of the seventh day following the canvass of the election results, including the results of any runoff election, if needed, the newly elected officers shall assume office and the terms, powers, duties, responsibilities, and emoluments of office of the commissioners shall end. (5) The officers elected hereunder shall serve until the first Monday in October, 1988. Officers elected thereafter shall hold office for four years, but shall serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. An election shall be held in 1988 on the month and day established by the general laws of the state pertaining to municipal elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held quadrennially thereafter under the same rules and regulations and in the same mode and manner as provided by the general laws of the state pertaining to municipal elections, except as otherwise provided by this chapter. (6) The municipality shall, after said election and the qualification and assumption of office of the council and mayor if the mayor-council form of government was adopted, be deemed to have adopted the form of government as herein provided and thereafter be governed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §6.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-7 Conduct of Election and Referendum.

11-44D-7. Conduct of Election and Referendum. The election and referendum provided for herein shall be conducted, the vote canvassed, and the results declared in the same manner as provided by Chapter 46, Title 11, in respect to other municipal elections conducted in any such municipality. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §7.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-8 Reapportionment of Council Districts.

11-44D-8. Reapportionment of Council Districts. Whenever there shall be a change in population in any of the districts heretofore established, evidenced by a federal census of population, or by virtue of a substantial change in the corporate limits, there shall be a reapportionment of the council districts in the manner hereinafter provided: (1) The mayor shall within six months after the publication of each federal census of population for the municipality or within six months after there shall have been any substantial change in the corporate limits of the municipality, file with the council a report containing a recommended plan for reapportionment of the council district boundaries to comply with the following specifications: a. Each district shall be formed of contiguous and to the extent reasonably possible, compact territory, and its boundary lines shall be the center lines of streets or other well defined boundaries; b. Each district shall contain as nearly as is possible the same population, but not more than five per centum more or less than the average of the five districts. (2) The council shall enact a redistricting ordinance within six months after receiving such report. If the council fails to enact the redistricting ordinance within the said six months, the redistricting plan submitted by the mayor shall become effective without enactment by the council, as if it were a duly enacted ordinance. (3) Such redistricting ordinance shall not apply to any primary or regular or special election held within six months after its becoming effective. No incumbent member of the council shall be deprived of his unexpired term of office because of such redistricting. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §8.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-9 Powers of City Generally.

11-44D-9. Powers of City Generally. The city shall have all powers granted to municipal corporations and to cities by the Constitution and laws of the state, together with all the implied powers necessary to carry and execute all the powers granted. The city may acquire property within or without its corporate limits for any purpose, in fee simple or any lesser interest or estate, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, or condemnation, and may sell, lease, mortgage, hold, manage, and control such property as the interest may require; and except as prohibited by the Constitution of this state, or restricted by this chapter, the city shall and may exercise all municipal powers, functions, privileges, and immunities of every kind and nature whatsoever. The enumeration of particular powers by this chapter shall not be deemed to be exclusive, and in addition to the powers enumerated herein or implied hereby, or appropriate to the exercise of such powers, it is intended that the city shall have and may exercise all powers which, under the Constitution of this state, it would be competent for this chapter to specifically enumerate. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §9.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-10 Existing Rights, Powers, and Properties Continued.

11-44D-10. Existing Rights, Powers, and Properties Continued. All rights, powers, and properties of every description which were vested in any city which adopts a form of government as provided by this chapter, shall vest in such city under the new form of government as herein provided for, unless in conflict with the provisions of this chapter. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §10.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-11 Initial Territorial Limits.

11-44D-11. Initial Territorial Limits. The initial territorial limits of any municipality which adopts a form of government as provided by this chapter shall be the same as under its former organization. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §11.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-12 Effect of Chapter on Preexisting Rights and Privileges of Municipal Employees, Etc.

11-44D-12. Effect of Chapter on Preexisting Rights and Privileges of Municipal Employees, Etc. Nothing contained in this chapter, except as specifically provided, shall affect or impair the rights or privileges of officers or employees of the municipality or of any office, department, board, or agency existing at the time when this chapter shall take effect, or any provision of law in force at the time when the new form of government shall be adopted and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, in relation to the personnel, appointment, ranks, grades, tenure of office, promotions, removal, pension and retirement rights, civil rights, of any or other rights or privileges of officers or employees of the municipality or any office, department, board, or agency thereof. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §12.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-13 Administrative Officers Continued; Reassignment of Powers and Duties Formerly Exercised by Abolished Agency.

11-44D-13. Administrative Officers Continued; Reassignment of Powers and Duties Formerly Exercised by Abolished Agency. All persons holding administrative office at the time the new form of government is adopted shall continue in office and in the performance of their duties until provision shall have been made in accordance therewith for the performance of such duties or the discontinuance of such office. The powers conferred and the duties imposed upon any office, department, board, or agency of the municipality by the laws of the state shall, if such office, department, board, or agency of the municipality by the laws of the state shall, if such office, department, board, or agency be abolished by this chapter, or under its authority, be thereafter exercised and discharged by the office, department, board, or agency designated by the council unless otherwise provided herein. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §13.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-14 Civil Service Officers Continued.

11-44D-14. Civil Service Officers Continued. Any person holding an office or position in the civil service of such municipality when the new form of government shall be adopted shall continue to hold such office in the civil service under the new form of government and with the same status, rights, and privileges and subject to the same conditions under such applicable civil service system. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §14.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-15 Interagency Transfer of Records, Equipment, Etc.

11-44D-15. Interagency Transfer of Records, Equipment, Etc. All records, property, and equipment whatsoever of any office, department, or agency or part thereof, all the powers and duties of which are assigned to any other office, department, or agency by this chapter, shall be transferred and delivered to the office, department, or agency to which such powers and duties are so assigned. If part of the powers and duties of any office, department, or agency, or part thereof, are by this chapter assigned to another office, department, or agency, all records, property, and equipment relating exclusively thereto shall be transferred and delivered to the office, department, or agency to which such powers and duties are so assigned. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §15.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-16 Contracts Continued; Completion of Public Improvements.

11-44D-16. Contracts Continued; Completion of Public Improvements. All contracts entered into by the municipality or for its benefit, prior to the adoption by such municipality of the new form of government, shall continue in full force and effect. Public improvements for which legislative steps have been taken under laws existing at the time of the adoption of the new form of government shall be carried to completion in accordance with the provisions of such existing laws. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §16.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-17 Pending Actions and Proceedings.

11-44D-17. Pending Actions and Proceedings. No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending at the time of the adoption of the new form of government, brought by or against the municipality or any office, department, board, agency, or officer or employee thereof, shall be affected or abated by the adoption of the new form of government or by anything contained in this chapter. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §17.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-18 Pension and Retirement Plans, Etc., Continued.

11-44D-18. Pension and Retirement Plans, Etc., Continued. All laws and parts of the laws relating to pension, retirement, and relief funds for any employees of the municipality, as the same may apply and be in effect with respect to the municipality at the time when it shall elect to be governed by the provisions of this chapter, shall continue in full force and effect, and without interruption or change as to any rights which have been acquired thereunder. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §18.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-19 Continuation of Laws Relating to Certain Boards, Etc.

11-44D-19. Continuation of Laws Relating to Certain Boards, Etc. All laws relating to the school board, library board, medical clinic board, hospital board, airport board, housing authority, industrial development board, downtown development authority, plumbers or electricians board, planning board, zoning board, park or recreation board, municipally owned public utility, and any municipally owned service enterprise, including inter alia, electric, gas and water boards, agencies, etc., and any board, authority, agency, etc., given such independent status, as the same may apply and be in effect at the time when the municipality shall elect to be governed by the provisions of this chapter, shall continue in full force and effect and without interruption or change as to the establishment or conduct of any such authority, board, or agency, until otherwise provided by law. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §19.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-20 Continuation of Ordinances and Resolutions.

11-44D-20. Continuation of Ordinances and Resolutions. All ordinances and resolutions of the municipality in effect at the time of the adoption of the new form of government shall continue in effect unless and until changed or repealed by the council. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §20.)

Ala. Code § 11-44D-21 Continuation of Other Laws Relating to Cities in This Class.

11-44D-21. Continuation of Other Laws Relating to Cities in This Class. All laws and parts of laws, general, local, or special, relating to or affecting any city in this class, its powers, functions, duties, and property, in force when this chapter shall take effect are continued in effect; but all such laws relating to the exercise of powers, functions, and duties of the commission or some other form of government, shall be superseded to the extent that the same are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. (Acts 1986, No. 86-195, p. 240, §22.)

Source: Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us)URL: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabamaFetched: 10/20/2026