Birmingham Mayor Releases Strategic Plan Setting New Goals for His First Term
By Sam Prickett
Exactly one year after his election, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has released a strategic plan providing an update on his administration’s progress and setting new goals for the remainder of his first term. The plan, which was released publicly Wednesday afternoon, features “a detailed set of enterprise initiatives and major projects for the City of Birmingham,” Woodfin wrote in the plan’s introduction.
The plan shares its name, The Woodfin Way, with the report from Woodfin’s transition committee, released in March.
The new plan is a result, Woodfin said, of findings from that report, as well as a labor report from private data company Burning Glass Technologies, a comprehensive framework plan, and a performance assessment from private consulting firm Crowe Horwath.
The plan lays out six broad goals for the administration, which boil down to safe communities, healthy and diverse neighborhoods, education and workforce development, economic development, efficient government and a focus on social justice. Within those categories, the plan provides an outline of initiatives that are in early stages of planning or are close to being implemented.
Some serve as updates on ongoing issues; a plan to address the city’s underfunded pension liabilities, for instance, is listed as being in an “actionable phase,” as is a plan to collaborate with Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority officials “to develop a formal agreement that requires greater accountability and better use of city funds.”
Other initiatives in the plan are relatively new, such as a plan to establish the Mayor’s Office of Re-entry Services focused on reducing recidivism, or a call for Police Chief Patrick D. Smith to increase foot patrols and bicycle patrols in critical areas.
Vance voices loyalty to Trump but says he ‘understands’ Musk’s frustration
As the Trump-Musk feud escalated, JD Vance signaled loyalty to Trump during a recent podcast appearance. At the same time, the vice president said he understands Musk's frustration.
Coco Gauff wins the French Open to claim her 2nd Grand Slam title
The 21-year-old American star battled back over three sets to defeat the world's top-ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff is the first American to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
Israel says it has retrieved the body of a Thai hostage in Gaza
Israel said it had retrieved the body of Nattapong Pinta, who was abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. He had come to Israel to work in agriculture.
A former police chief who escaped from an Arkansas prison is captured
A former police chief and convicted killer known as the "Devil in the Ozarks" was captured by law enforcement 1.5 miles from the prison he escaped from following a nearly two-week-long manhunt.
Should federal rental aid come with a time limit? Here’s how it works in one place
The Trump administration wants to allow a cutoff date for housing subsidies. The plan is deeply controversial, but Delaware offers a potential model for success.
Torture and treason trials: what’s happening in Tanzania?
Tanzania's government is facing growing accusations of repression after prominent human rights defenders say they were beaten and sexually assaulted while in custody.
