Clinton Baller was elected mayor of the Birmingham City Commission at the regular Nov. 10 meeting, and Anthony Long was chosen as mayor pro tem. Commissioners nominated Baller and Long during the reorganization portion of the meeting and approved the slate by voice vote.

The session opened with the pledge of allegiance and roll call; Commissioner Katie Schaeffer was absent. The mayor thanked outgoing commissioners Katie Schaeffer and Jason Emerine for their service, noting Schaeffer’s eight years of local service and work on pedestrian safety and Emerine’s civil‑engineering background and seven years of service.

A member of the public, David Blum, criticized what he called behind‑the‑scenes nomination discussions and urged more open discussion of leadership selections. Mayor Clinton Baller and other commissioners responded that traditions and prior practice informed nominations and that the process followed established custom.

The commission also administered oaths to returning and incoming members and to several library board appointees before moving on to appointments to various boards, including retiree boards and SEMCOG delegate assignments.

The reorganization concluded with brief remarks from outgoing and incoming leaders about priorities for the coming year, including infrastructure work and shortening meeting length. The commission took several ceremonial votes and then recessed for a short intermission.