Council approves resolution to investigate municipal finances after finance director’s termination; former director addresses council

The Prichard City Council on June 4 approved a resolution directing an investigation into municipal finances, unauthorized contracts, recurring payments and preservation of remedies after newly received documents prompted council concern.

Councilwoman Johnson Norwood introduced the resolution, saying the documents “have been issued with the investigative committee” and asking the council to act immediately. She also asked that a full report be delivered to the council about the finance department’s structure, who is running the office and any contracts signed since the former finance director’s departure.

The motion drew discussion about the office’s management after the sudden termination of the finance director. Johnson Norwood said the director “was terminated after she delivered the check to the council members for the investigations,” and pressed for details on who is now responsible for finance operations, the OA1 and OA2 roles, and whether any contracts have been signed without council approval.

Kim Wilson, the recently removed finance director, spoke to the council during the meeting. She said she was called to the mayor’s office and “was advised that our relationship was ... it was time for it to end,” and that she had “advised that I did pay the check based on the state law” and had submitted contracts and was collecting bank statements to comply with subpoenas. Wilson told council that access to records and staff had been immediately terminated and that some staff had also been subpoenaed.

Council members also pointed to an administration press release stating that Bos Hman (as listed in the release) would serve as interim finance director effective June 4, 2026. Several council members said the situation raised questions because the firm or person referenced in prior contract discussions (referred to in the meeting as the Holland/Holloman firm) had been previously rejected by council, and they wanted assurance that any interim appointments or contracts would follow statutory requirements and come before the council for approval.

Council voted to require a written report on the finance department and related contract activity by the following week and approved the investigative resolution. During the vote, Councilwoman Williams and Councilman Smith recorded “yes” votes and Councilwoman Johnson Norwood moved the resolution. One councilmember’s exact position during the roll-call on this item was described in the transcript as “I'm going to stand,” which the clerk did not clearly record as a yea or nay on the transcript; the council nonetheless recorded the motion as carried.

The resolution directs the investigative committee to review documents already submitted and to continue gathering records relevant to unauthorized contracts and recurring payments; the investigative committee is scheduled to meet next Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Council members said the resolution is an initial step intended to preserve revenues and limit further unauthorized disbursements while the inquiry proceeds.

Next steps: The investigative committee will gather and review the documents referenced by council, staff will compile the requested finance-department report for council review next week, and the committee will return recommended actions to the full council. Council did not vote on, and did not adopt, any final disciplinary or contractual remedies during the meeting.