Irondale mayor to attend Harvard executive program after council approves $17,500 training expenditure

Irondale — The City Council approved a resolution authorizing up to $17,500 in public funds for Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. to attend a three‑week State and Local Executives program at Harvard University.

The mayor described the program as training in strategic planning, grant writing and network-building that would benefit Irondale’s municipal leadership. He told the council he had attended professional programs at Harvard and Wharton in the past and said this program would be a resource for the city.

Nut graf: The vote prompted debate among council members about whether the expenditure was allowable under the city’s tuition reimbursement/employee training policy and about whether elected officials should receive similar benefits. The administration said the program will be charged to the training budget; the mayor also stated he qualifies under the city tuition policy because, in addition to being elected, he is employed by the city water department.

Council discussion and objections: Councilwoman Cindy Cuellar questioned the appropriateness of using city funds for an elected official, noting the city’s tuition reimbursement policy originally described eligibility for full-time employees and not elected officials. She also noted that the Alabama League of Municipalities provides continuing education and said elected-official training is generally available through that venue. Other council members defended the mayor’s participation as training with potential municipal benefit; several asked for a follow-up report if the mayor attends.

Funding and eligibility: The mayor said the $17,500 covers tuition, room and board for the three-week program and that the city will pay the cost from training funds. The mayor also said he has used the city’s tuition reimbursement program in past years when he was an eligible city employee and that the current request should be considered training, not formal degree education.

Outcome: The council approved the expenditure by majority vote; one council member recorded opposition. The council requested that the mayor provide a summary of learnings or a report to the council after attending.

Ending: The mayor is scheduled to attend the program; staff were directed to book and process the registration and travel through the city training budget. The council’s approval resolved the immediate procurement question but left lingering member disagreement about policy scope for elected officials and use of public funds.