Dothan, ALA – It has been nearly a year since Dothan’s city commissioners made the decision not to renew the contract for former city manager Kevin Cowper. In the time since, the city has operated under an interim manager, but the search for a permanent replacement has remained a top priority. City leaders have now narrowed the field down to three finalists for the crucial position.
According to sources, including RickeyStokesNews, the three candidates vying for the job are Randy Morris, the current interim city manager and a longtime Dothan employee; Rich Tucker, a high-ranking officer at Fort Novosel with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence; and Redmond Jones, an experienced city manager with a background in leadership roles in Groveland, Florida, and Iowa City, Iowa.
Morris, who has been serving as interim city manager for the past nine months, has garnered praise for his steady leadership during a transitional period. He stepped into the role following Cowper’s departure, after the former city manager’s contract was not renewed due to a controversial vote. Cowper had led the city for nearly five years, overseeing major projects like the ambitious $200 million downtown revitalization plan, which has seen significant success.
In his role as interim city manager, Morris has ensured that the city has continued to progress, with Mayor Mark Saliba acknowledging the importance of his work. “It is a process that takes a little bit longer than honestly most people realize. We have not misstepped, and I think our interim city manager has done a great job making sure we haven’t missed anything and are continuing to move forward with all of our plans,” Saliba said.
The city manager in Dothan plays a critical role in overseeing daily operations, managing ongoing projects, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the city. As the search for a permanent manager continues, Mayor Saliba emphasized the need for someone who can maintain the efficiency of city operations while delivering quality services to Dothan’s residents.
“Someone that can continue to take the day-to-day operations, the helm of the city, which is what the city manager does. Make sure we are running efficiently and providing the best services we can to the citizens of Dothan,” Saliba explained.
The next steps in the selection process involve finalizing the choice and drafting a new contract, with the hope of making a decision within the next three weeks. Once a candidate is selected, the commission will need to approve the new contract before it is finalized.
As Dothan continues to move forward with its revitalization efforts and other projects, city leaders are hopeful that the new city manager will provide the strong leadership needed to guide the city through its next phase of growth and development.
