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Birmingham City Commission holds workshop to review candidates for vacant seat; no formal action taken
Summary
At a workshop on April 13, 2026, the Birmingham City Commission reviewed seven applicants for a vacant commission seat, asked three candidates to remain for additional interviews and heard a public comment supporting Debra Horner. The session was explicitly nonvoting; next steps are additional interviews.
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham City Commission convened a workshop Monday evening to review applicants for a vacant commission seat but took no formal action.
Mayor Clinton Baller opened the session and said the meeting would be treated as a workshop to discuss candidates rather than to vote on an appointment. City Clerk Alexandria Bingham conducted roll call; present were Mayor Pro Tem Long and Commissioners Andrew Haig, Brad Host, Kevin Kozlowski, William Kolb and Therese Longe. City Manager Ecker and other senior staff attended.
City staff presented seven applicants: Richard Wetherhold; Ilir Doresi; Gordon Thompson; Brian Gordon; Debra Horner; Mary E. Jaye; and Doug White. The record notes that one applicant, Beth Correa, withdrew prior to the meeting.
Commissioners discussed the candidates’ qualifications. Several commissioners highlighted that Doug White has previously served on a Birmingham board, understands the time commitment required for the role and had been interviewed during the last vacancy cycle; he also ran in the November 2025 election. After discussion, commissioners asked Mary E. Jaye, Debra Horner and Doug White to remain for further interviews.
During the public-comment period, David Bloom said he appreciated Debra Horner’s credentials and urged the commission to continue interviewing candidates. Bloom also raised concerns about a proposed sustainability fee in the city, which was noted but not debated in depth at the workshop.
The workshop concluded without votes. The commission motioned to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Additional interviews of the three requested candidates are expected to be scheduled as a next step, but no date was set during the session.
