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City commission remains deadlocked over appointment after multiple roll calls
Summary
Repeated roll calls and public testimony failed to break a 3–3 split on two nominees for the vacant Birmingham city commission seat. Commissioners adopted a process requiring all six members present for future appointment votes and deferred broader rule changes to a later agenda.
The Birmingham City Commission spent a large portion of its May 4 meeting on nominations to fill a vacant commission seat and was unable to appoint a candidate after repeated roll calls produced shifting 3–3 outcomes.
Commissioner Kazowski nominated Deborah Horner; Commissioner Cole nominated Mary Jay. Both candidates were introduced and residents attended in force to advocate for a timely appointment. Several commissioners said they were persuaded by the candidates’ differing skill sets — Horner for public policy and data analysis, Jay for private‑sector contract and commercial experience — but votes flipped in successive roll calls and no candidate achieved the four votes the commission identified as required for a conclusive appointment.
To reduce the chances of repeated 3–3 deadlocks, the commission passed a resolution that any future nomination and appointment votes require the physical presence of all six commissioners and a simple majority vote. The body also discussed procedures for possibly renoticing the vacancy and reopening applications later, and asked staff to propose a mechanism for placing the item on a future agenda in a way that allows for cooling‑off and additional outreach.
Public commenters urged commissioners to break the tie: “One of you could change a vote and fill the seat tonight,” said former commissioner Racklin Hoff, pointing to the operational impacts of having a vacant seat on upcoming infrastructure and budget decisions. Commissioners agreed to revisit the appointment process at future meetings and to leave the vacancy open until either the group breaks the tie or voters fill it in the next regular election.
The commission did not fill the vacancy; staff were directed to add refined procedural options to a future agenda and to continue to accept public input.
