Birmingham City Government

Birmingham, Alabama was one of the first cities in the United States to have citizens serve as members of council, formulate economic decisions and take on a variety of neighborhood projects. Birmingham runs a mayor-council from of government made up of a mayor and nine council members. Elections for mayor are held every four years, and the council members are elected on a staggered basis in odd-numbered years. The city council is divided into nine committees; three council members serve on each one of those committees. Each committee also has a chairperson who is assigned by the president of the council.

        Bernard Kincaid, J.D. is currently serving as Birmingham's mayor.  Kincaid was born and raised in Birmingham and graduated from Miles College.  He then went on to receive his M.A. from Miami University of Ohio and his Ph. D. from the University Alabama, Tuscaloosa before earning his J.D. at the Birmingham School of Law.  Before becoming the mayor, he was the Assistant Professor and Assistant to the Dean for Cultural Diversity and Minority Affairs, School of Health Related Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  As well as serving as Mayor, Kincaid is also a member of several organizations, including Sister City Commission, Glenwood Mental Health Services, Pratt-Ensley Kiwanis Club and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. 

        As defined by the Mayor-Council Act of the state of Alabama, the Birmingham City Council is the legislative branch of Birmingham city government.  The Council meets weekly, at 9:30a.m. on Tuesday mornings.  It is at this time that all official actions must be approved by a majority vote. It's nine committees include Finance and Administration, Economic Development and Job Training, Education and Community Service, Health and Environmental Services, Parks and Recreation/Cultural Arts, Planning and Zoning, Public Improvement and Beautification, Public Safety and Transportation, and Communication.  Each one of the committees are responsible for hearing items that fall under its jurisdiction and then making recommendations to the council as a whole.