Homewood committee interviews Kevin Owens for first city manager role

Councilor Barry Smith, Ward 4 Place 1, opened an evening interview with Kevin Owens, a candidate for Homewood's first city manager, outlining the committee's role in selecting an executive to lead the city through a change to a council-manager form of government. "We are really looking for someone, a dynamic manager who's been involved in municipal government who can help bridge the gap from where we are today, to where we're gonna be when the new council starts," Smith said.

The committee stressed the timeline driving the search: residents approved a referendum last September to change Homewood's form of government; a municipal election is scheduled for August; the new council will take office Nov. 1. Smith said the committee expects to pass a resolution to hire a manager at a council meeting the coming Monday and hopes to have the new manager start on or around March 1 so the person can learn the city before the new council begins and participate in the upcoming budget process.

Kevin Owens described his municipal experience to the committee, saying he grew up in the Birmingham area and has work history in city administration and finance. Owens summarized recent positions including about a year as city manager in Tuskegee and three years as city administrator in Fayetteville. He told the committee he had led efforts to secure a Brownfields grant in Tuskegee and to advance five infrastructure projects while in Fayetteville.

Councilor Nick Sims, Ward 3 Place 1, asked Owens to elaborate on executive-level accomplishments and how recent roles would translate to Homewood. Owens replied he had worked directly as a city manager and administrator for the past five years and emphasized rapid decision-making during the COVID-19 response and success obtaining outside funding in both Tuskegee and Fayetteville.

Councilor Andy Guatney, Ward 1 Place 1, asked about budget management. Owens said his background in finance helped him assess prior budgets, identify program effectiveness and recommend adjustments, adding he participated on finance teams throughout his time in Birmingham and subsequent positions.

Councilor Carlos Aleman, Ward 2 Place 1, asked how Owens assesses and monitors risk. Owens described relying on an analysis of drivers and impacts of a risk, and on a professional network of other city managers and administrators to identify proven solutions for unfamiliar problems.

Councilor Jennifer Andress, Ward 5 Place 1, asked what Owens would prioritize early on. He said he would "refamiliarize" himself with stakeholders, department heads and budget priorities, and would assess existing values and goals as they evolve.

Committee members described qualities they are seeking in a candidate: the ability to assess and redesign government structure where needed (for example centralized human resources and purchasing), strong public communication skills and collaborative work with department heads to ease the transition from 11 part-time council members to a smaller council and an at-large mayor.

The committee said next steps are to interview additional candidates, narrow the field, bring top candidates to meet the mayor, full council and department heads, and conduct facility tours. Smith said the committee intends to pass the required resolution no fewer than 30 and no more than 60 days before the prospective manager's start date and reiterated the goal of having someone in place by March 1 so they can participate in the July'September budget cycle.