HOMEWOOD, AL - The City of Homewood has reportedly paused hiring and promotions across all city departments in an effort to conduct an organizational assessment as they prepare for its first budget under its new council-manager form of government.
The temporary freeze applies citywide and affects positions not already in the recruitment process or actively being advertised, according to City Manager Cale Smith, AL.com reported.
In an email, Smith said that personnel costs have "grown significantly" in recent years and now represent approximately 70% of the city's general fund. The city has also used portions of its accumulated fund balance to support ongoing operations, he said.
"As city manager, I believed it was prudent to pause hiring and promotions temporarily while we completed the organizational assessment and developed the city’s first budget under the new council-manager form of government,” Smith said.
"That allows us to make long-term staffing decisions based on the city’s operational needs and financial capacity rather than continuing to add recurring obligations before that work is complete," he added.
The temporary freeze will remain in place until the organizational assessment is complete, and staffing recommendations can be implemented within the budget adopted by the City Council. Critics have raised concerns about first responders leaving for positions in nearby cities. Smith said that has not been the case in Homewood.
"The temporary pause is a management tool to ensure that long-term staffing decisions are made strategically and responsibly, not a reflection of the city’s commitment to public safety,” Smith said.
"Since this temporary management decision was implemented, Homewood has not had any police officers or firefighters leave to accept positions with neighboring agencies," he added.
Smith emphasized that protecting public safety remains the city's highest priority and said the city continues to work closely with leadership of both departments. Once the organizational assessment is complete, officials will evaluate each currently vacant position in Homewood based on operational needs, organizational structure, and available funding.
Smith said some positions will be identified as immediate priorities, while others "may present opportunities to improve organizational efficiency through restructuring or reassignment of responsibilities."
"Our goal is to make thoughtful, data-driven staffing decisions that position the city to provide excellent services over the long term,” Smith said. "Public safety will continue to be a primary consideration in those staffing decisions, just as it is in the City’s budgeting and operational planning."
During a city council meeting on July 27, officials, including Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress, rejected characterizations that the freeze represents an attempt to "defund the police," and praised Smith for his efforts.
"I know that there have been some things said that I don’t necessarily agree with, specifically about the approach of defunding the police and fire. That is not the intent. We all know that that’s more of an... We’re waiting on an organizational study to evaluate staffing needs, and I want to thank him for his work in getting that done," Ward 1 councilor Paul S. Simmons II said.
Smith said that defunding means reducing financial support for law enforcement, which he said has not occurred.
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