In less than two weeks, Brewton voters will elect a new mayor for the city putting in place the city’s top executive officer.
In the August municipal election, voters brought the field of three candidates down to two forcing a run-off set for Oct. 9.
Mayoral hopefuls Yank Lovelace and Frank Nalty will be up for the election that will name a new mayor for Brewton replacing a retiring Ted Jennings.
The newly elected mayor will be sworn into office on Nov. 5 along with newly elected council members.
City Clerk John Angel said the mayor’s position, currently held by Ted Jennings, is considered the chief executive officer for Brewton.
“In a city our size, the mayor serves as the chief executive officer and a voting member of the council,” Angel said. “His responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city.”
In making sure each department of the city is properly staffed, the mayor only has voting ability when it comes to appointments of certain positions.
“Three positions are appointed by the council including police chief, fire chief and city clerk,” Angel said. “A two-thirds majority of the council is required to appoint anyone to those positions. It is also required to have a two-thirds majority of the council vote to remove anyone for those positions as well.”
Angel also said the mayor is a liaison for the city in that he interacts with other agencies for benefit of the city.
“The mayor is a member of the National League of Cities and the Alabama League of Municipalities and interacts with those organizations regularly,” Angel said. “The mayor works to gather information and seek opportunities for grants and other opportunities to help grow the business base for the community as well as the infrastructure for the city.”
Angel said the mayor also works to develop policy and standard operating procedures for the city.
“The mayor does anything a chief executive officer would do in any organization,” Angel said.
According to published information, the mayor also serves on various committees and boards of civic organizations at a city and state level. The heads of eight different departments answer directly to the mayor including community development, public works, utilities, library, parks and recreation and golf course.
A run-off election will be held Tuesday, Oct. 9 with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.