Homewood council unanimously appoints Kale Smith as city manager

Homewood City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 23 to appoint Kale Smith as the city’s first city manager and to enter into an employment agreement formalizing the hire.

The vote (Resolution 2623) followed a motion by Councilor Armstead and a second by Councilor Simmons and carried 5-0. Kale Smith said he was honored by the appointment and pledged to continue working with staff and community members: "I am honored to be the city's first city manager. I appreciate all the time and care that you put into making the decision and I look forward to continuing to serve." (Kale Smith)

Why it matters: Creating a city manager position marks a structural change in how Homewood organizes executive functions and day‑to‑day administration. Councilors praised Smith and noted he has already begun recruitment activity; Councilor Lane said Smith has conducted interviews for a finance director and that the city will post for an engineering position.

Councilors also used the floor to congratulate Smith and to highlight local civic engagement. Councilor Sims tied the appointment to broader civic milestones, including centennial celebrations and recent interjurisdictional work on a pedestrian bridge.

Next steps: The council did not set a separate effective date in the public remarks; the employment agreement was approved as part of the resolution. Smith and council members noted upcoming hiring activity for finance and engineering roles as immediate follow-up tasks.

Sources and provenance: The appointment and vote were recorded on the Feb. 23 council agenda and in the meeting transcript; Smith's remarks and councilors' congratulations are on the public record at the meeting.