On Monday, September 22, 2025, the City Council for the City of Pell City officially approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which will make improvements across the City with a special emphasis on public safety.
The approved plan includes a significant increase in Pell City Fire Department staffing, adding three new Firefighter-Medic positions, as well as additional Captain and Lieutenant positions, adding approximately $228,000 to the Fire Department personnel budget.
“We’re adding critical front-line positions that will provide a direct impact on the safety of our community and residents,” Pell City Fire Chief Tim Kurzejeski said. “This is a vital investment in the priority we place on public safety and providing the best fire and EMS services possible.”
Overall, new and reclassified positions across the City represent an increase in personnel spending by more than $700,000 for FY 2026.
Breakdown of Spending
The approved budget for the upcoming fiscal year forecasts total General Fund revenues of $39.3 million, with projected expenditures of $34.8 million. This conservative spending outlook is meant to ensure ample funding for capital investments and project implementation.
Here’s a look at the estimated total costs for some departments:
Fire: $5.8M
Police: $6.8M
Parks & Recreation: $4M
Street: $2.9M
Utilities: $4.9M
The budget also includes the following:
Funding for 9 new positions
The City’s absorption of a 4.75% increase in employee health insurance premiums
A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 3% for eligible personnel
Appropriations funding for nonprofit partners, including $6M to the Pell City School System and more than $200,000 to other local organizations
Council member Jay Jenkins highlighted the importance of the City’s investment in personnel, stating, “Our city’s most important asset is our employees. They are the backbone of our community, and it’s our responsibility to ensure we are investing in them.”
City’s Financial Health
Despite ongoing capital projects, the City’s reserve fund remains significantly above the 2023 baseline. The approved budget forecasts that revenue will exceed expenditures by more than $4.4 million in the upcoming fiscal year.
As has been the case in previous years, this revenue surplus is allocated to the City’s Capital Projects Fund. This Fund most recently allowed for property purchases and construction projects, including the new Pell City Police Station and Pell City Fire Station No. 2, without the City taking on additional debt.
“This budget demonstrates the City’s focus on improving the level of service to our citizens, balancing the long-term fiscal health of the City with immediate needs,” City Manager Brian Muenger said.
Today, July 1, 2025, the City Council for the City of Pell City made appointments to the Pell City Board of Education for the first time in more than 30 years.
The result will be a Board that represents all students enrolled in the Pell City School System. Beginning in November 2025, for the first time since the district was created in 1982, St. Clair County residents who live in the St. Clair County portion of the Pell City Schools Attendance Zone will have voting representation, a true voice in the future of the system.
“This school system is important,” Council President Jud Alverson told the audience at City Hall. “We have got to come together as a community. We’ve got to get behind these people, and we’ve got to get behind Superintendent Dr. Justin Burns.
“To the people appointed tonight, you’ve got a big job in front of you,” he continued. “It is time for a different trajectory for this school system. It is time for a new vision.”
On July 1, 2025, the City Council for the City of Pell City appointed (front row, from left) Matt Moon, Eddie Wilson, Dr. Gary London, Jarrett Jacobs, and Ryan Abernathy to the Pell City Board of Education.
Community-Wide Representation
The two Attendance Zone residents appointed to the Board are Jarrett Jacobs and Ryan Abernathy.
Jacobs, a vice president in the transportation industry with over 20 years of management experience, brings decision-making and oversight skills, coupled with deep community ties. His goal is to foster an environment that attracts and supports excellent educators.
“Around 54 percent of the students at Pell City Schools live in the County,” Jacobs said. “They’re my friends and neighbors, and I’m excited and eager to hear their ideas and represent them on this Board. My commitment is to work hand-in-hand with them and the City Council to actively shape the future of our schools.”
Ryan Abernathy, a director in the construction sector with extensive experience in federal public service and private industry, offers a strong understanding of operations, human resources, and business growth. He aims to ensure the school system effectively represents county-zoned students and residents, emphasizing strong leadership, academic excellence, and planning for growth.
“I’m honored by this appointment,” Abernathy said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to make sure all our students are represented as we work together to build a strong future for Pell City Schools. We need the entire community involved to achieve excellence, and I’m ready to contribute to that shared goal.”
In addition to Jacobs and Abernathy, the City Council also appointed three Pell City residents to the Board of Education: Eddie Wilson, Dr. Gary London, and Matt Moon.
Key Strengths of City Appointees
Eddie Wilson’s background in account management and strategic advising, including guiding a seminary to financial stability, offers a unique leadership approach that emphasizes service and collaboration.
Dr. Gary London Sr. brings expertise in the education field, along with experience in strategic planning, financial analysis, and data-driven improvement.
Matt Moon, President of Vulcan Industries, provides proven experience in leading diverse teams and managing businesses, with a clear focus on accountability and student success.
Collectively, these appointments enhance the Board’s capacity in areas critical for the school system, including financial stewardship, strategic partnerships, and operational excellence.
Selection Process
During its Special Called Meeting on July 1, City Manager Brian Muenger announced that the Board appointments listed in Resolution 2025-56 were decided from aggregated results of a confidential ranking system. Each Council member individually selected their top finalists, organized by City and Attendance Zone, and submitted them to City Attorney John Rea.
“The City Council committed to this system as a fair method of determining who was best qualified to serve our students and community,” Muenger said. “Given the exceptional caliber of all 18 finalists, it was essential to establish a consensus for the appointments.”
Each appointed member was assigned a term based on the results.
Staggered Terms
Under Amendment 1018 (Local Amendment 1), the five members of the Board have been appointed to staggered terms as follows:
Name of Appointee
Initial Term Length
Initial Term Ends
Eddie Wilson
5 years
June 2030
Matt Moon
4 years
June 2029
Jarrett Jacobs
3 years
June 2028
Dr. Gary London, Sr.
2 years
June 2027
Ryan Abernathy
1 year
June 2026
Moving forward, the application and appointment process for the Pell City Board of Education will occur annually. In accordance with Alabama Law, one Board of Education member’s term will expire each year. The Council will appoint an individual to the expired seat in April, with the new Board member beginning their 5-year term in June.
Appointed Leadership
The Pell City School System was first created in October 1981, with its Board of Education members appointed by the City Council until 1992. At that time, a local constitutional amendment transitioned the Board to an elected body, with members chosen by voters within Pell City’s corporate limits.
Over the years, the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District expanded to include unincorporated areas of St. Clair County served by the school system. However, residents from the County portion of the Attendance Zone were not eligible to serve on the Board.
In 2024, approximately 14,000 St. Clair County residents zoned for Pell City schools lacked voting representation on the Board of Education
Recognizing the importance of full community representation, the Pell City Board of Education unanimously requested legislation that would return it to an appointed board with at least two members from the Attendance Zone. This vision was supported by the City Council and overwhelmingly approved by St. Clair County voters as Alabama Act-111 (Local Amendment 1) in November 2024.
The appointment process, a comprehensive effort beginning in October 2024, saw the City Council first name and activate the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee. It meticulously developed and finalized the application and selection process by February 2025, which the Council approved.
Following the public release of the application, 47 highly qualified candidates submitted their materials by March 31, 2025. The Steering Committee then rigorously reviewed applications, selected 18 finalists by May, and conducted joint interviews with the City Council from June 16-18, ultimately recommending the finalists to the Council on June 27, 2025.
Mayor Bill Pruitt and each member of the City Council offered high praise to each member of the Steering Committee at the meeting for providing their time, effort, and dedication.
The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee has successfully concluded its comprehensive work in recommending finalists for the upcoming Board of Education appointments, marking a significant milestone in ensuring strong leadership for our schools.
This process began in 2024, when the City Council for the City of Pell City named the Steering Committee to develop a transparent and effective appointment procedure. Interest in serving our students and community proved to be unprecedented, with numerous highly qualified individuals submitting applications.
The Committee dedicated countless hours to reviewing these submissions. After careful consideration, the list was narrowed to 18 exceptional finalists. These finalists were publicly announced and participated in in-depth interviews held jointly with the Mayor and City Council members earlier this month.
A Word from the Chair
“This selection process, while demanding, has been a genuine pleasure. I’m incredibly proud of the commitment shown by all our applicants, particularly our finalists, who truly impressed us. A heartfelt thank you to each one for their dedication, and to my fellow committee members for their exceptional efforts,” said Kelly Furgerson, Chair of Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee is proud to share its final statement regarding the selection process:
Statement Regarding Finalist Recommendations and the Selection Process
Members of the City Council for the City of Pell City,
When the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee began its work last year, its members were tasked with developing the appointment process, reviewing applications, and recommending a group of finalists for City Council consideration.
After a careful and comprehensive review of many thoughtful submissions, we narrowed the list to 18 highly qualified individuals.
In the interest of our community, our schools, and especially our students, the Committee members dedicated countless hours to these tasks. We are extremely proud of the time and effort expended, and particularly proud of the results.
After conducting in-depth interviews with all 18 finalists — with the Mayor and City Council members present in these joint sessions — it became clear that the interviews themselves provided all parties with the clarity needed to move forward.
The quality of the interviews exceeded expectations. The finalists demonstrated professionalism, insight, and a genuine commitment to public service. Given this, Committee members individually concluded that an additional cut would not add value to the process.
On June 25, 2025, the members of the committee voted unanimously to recommend all 18 finalists for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education. This decision was not made lightly. It reflects our confidence in the process, the strength of the candidates, and in the Council’s ability to make thoughtful, informed appointments.
We sincerely thank all applicants for their time, dedication, and participation. To those Finalists appointed by the Council, we offer our heartfelt support. To all applicants who are not awarded the opportunity in this inaugural process, do not be discouraged. The next application window will open in less than a year, and again every year after. Your willingness to serve has been noticed and acknowledged, and your qualifications recognized. We encourage you to seek to serve in the future.
We, the members of the inaugural Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee, are grateful for our opportunity to serve. Go Panthers!
Sincerely,
Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee
Recommended
City
Joseph Brascho
James Epperson
Cecil Fomby
Phaith Frazier
Jesse P. Hooks
Brian Jennings
Robert Kreitlein
Gary London Sr.
Matt Moon
Tammy Stewart
Mara Walls
Eddie Wilson
Attendance Zone
Ryan Abernathy
Shannon Cochran
Austin Ellard
Tim Hawkins
Jarrett Jacobs
Kandie Magargee
The City Council will now move forward with its final deliberations to appoint members to the Pell City Board of Education. The Council commends the Steering Committee for its diligent work and all applicants for their dedication to our City’s future.
The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee will conduct public interviews for the upcoming Board of Education appointments from June 16-18, 2025, at the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
Six finalists will be interviewed each day, with sessions running from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Each interview will last 15-20 minutes. Interviews will not be livestreamed, but footage will be released to the public.
On May 23, the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee announced a list of 18 finalists who have been invited to interview for a seat on the Pell City Board of Education. More information on these finalists can be found at pell-city.com/boe-finalists.
The Steering Committee’s review process has involved a comprehensive evaluation of all 47 applicants seeking appointment to the Board of Education. Under its stated goal to recommend the most qualified candidates to the City Council, the Committee’s seven volunteer members carefully reviewed the submitted material before releasing their list of interview candidates.
“The overwhelming response of immensely qualified and talented applicants made this process extremely difficult — a very good difficult,” said Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson. “What an amazing problem to have — so many really good people who want to be involved with the decision making of our school system.
“We are so grateful for each and every individual who applied, offering their time and talents to serve. We sincerely hope that all applicants and the rest of our community continue to be passionate about our City and the Pell City Board of Education. Your dedication makes a difference.”
Invited to participate in public interviews are, in alphabetical order:
Ryan Abernathy
Joseph Brascho
Shannon Cochran
Austin Brian Ellard
James Epperson
Cecil Fomby
Phaith Frazier
Tim Hawkins
Jesse P. Hooks
Jarrett Jacobs
Brian Jennings
Robert Kreitlein
Gary London Sr.
Kandie Magargee
Matt Moon
Tammy Stewart
Mara Walls
Eddie Wilson
Public interviews for the finalists are scheduled for June 16-18, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM daily. These interviews will take place at the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) auditorium.
Six finalists will be interviewed each day, with each interview lasting no more than 20 minutes. The public is invited to attend these interviews, and all interviews will be filmed and released to the public.
The Steering Committee is responsible for reviewing applicants, naming finalists, and recommending finalists for appointment. By State law, at least two residents who live in the St. Clair County portion of the Pell City Attendance Zone and Tax District will be appointed to the Board of Education in 2025. Members appointed by the City Council will begin their terms in November.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to every member of the Steering Committee for their tireless work and dedication throughout this important process,” Furgerson said. “We’ve poured our hearts into finding the best possible candidates for our school board, and we truly believe in this list. We genuinely encourage everyone in the community to come out to the upcoming interviews at CEPA and get to know these incredible finalists who are ready to serve our students and schools.”
The event will be held at the Pell City Municipal Complex on Monday, June 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
The 2025 Class of Leadership St. Clair County, a program supported by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
CFGB is actively working on its 10-year strategic plan, “Igniting passion for transformational change.” This plan was developed and implemented in 2020 with extensive input from residents across the region, including residents of St. Clair County.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide residents with an update on CFGB initiatives and to gather feedback.
CFGB has funded several impactful projects in St. Clair County, including:
Big Canoe Creek Preserve Partners: Supporting the design of an accessible trail to ensure that everyone, including those with mobility challenges, can connect with and enjoy our natural spaces.
Jefferson State Community College Foundation, Inc: Expanding access to in-demand healthcare career training by offering the Certified Medical Assistant certification program at the Pell City campus.
Leadership St Clair County Inc: Strengthening our community by supporting a leadership network and providing education on important local issues such as government, safety, and economic development.
St. Clair Community Health Clinic: Increasing mental health service capacity to serve diverse populations, including individuals at the county jail.
Pell City Schools: Providing support for Hope Squads at Pell City Intermediate and Middle Schools.
Residents are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting to learn more about current and future initiatives and share their perspectives.
The City Council of the City of Pell City will not participate in a Superintendent search led by the current Board of Education, and it requests that the current Board not appoint the next Superintendent for Pell City Schools.
In a Special Called Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution 2025-36 in a 5-0 vote. The resolution can be read here:
In Resolution 2025-36, the City Council resolves that allowing the outgoing board to appoint the superintendent would undermine the will of the voters who approved Amendment 1018 to the Constitution of Alabama (Local Amendment 1) and disenfranchise the incoming board members from participating in this critical decision. The message is simplified as follows:
Choosing a superintendent is the most important decision for a Board of Education.
Under Local Constitutional Amendment 1, the City Council will appoint the next Board in a matter of months.
The Board composition WILL change, with at least two new members who are County residents.
This year marks the first time County residents who attend PCSS will have a voice in the selection of their leader.
A Board that fully represents the entire school community should make this decision.
As stated in Resolution 2025-36, “… it would be unfair and inequitable if the current Board of Education selected the next Superintendent days or weeks before the first Board of Education members from the County portion of the Pell City School System take office. Such a result would clearly undermine the intent of the voters when they approved Local Constitutional Amendment 1.”
The resolution raises other reasons for postponing this decision, including consideration for potential candidates for the Superintendent position. The City Council believes that candidates of the highest quality might not apply since, at this time, they cannot know who they will be working for in November.
In support of Local Constitutional Amendment 1 and its purpose, the City Council opposes any action by the current Board of Education to hire a superintendent for Pell City Schools.
During its regular meeting on Monday, February 24, the City Council for the City of Pell City unanimously approved a formal application for appointment and the window for residents to apply for the Pell City Board of Education in 2025.
The official application is now available to download or to complete as a digital form at pell-city.com/education.
Over the past two months, the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee, a seven-member board assembled in 2024 by the City Council, has worked to develop the application. Their process included the review of more than a dozen appointment procedures and applications from across the United States.
“The Committee has taken its assignment seriously, and its members have worked to create a robust document meant to identify those who will deliver excellence in all aspects of Pell City Schools,” said Steering Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson.
The 5-page application includes thought-provoking essay questions, educational information about board of education service in Alabama, and a thorough explanation of the local appointment process now required under Alabama Act 2024-111, which was passed last November by St. Clair County voters.
During the meeting, the Council also approved the Committee’s timeline for delivering its recommendations for appointment. In a document delivered to the City containing the Committee’s recommendations, Furgerson concluded that appointments should be made this summer.
“The most critical time for a board of education member is during the late summer, especially leading into the beginning of the new school year,” the Committee’s recommendations read. “During this time, school administration is analyzing data from the previous year, setting goals for the upcoming year, and most importantly developing the budget for the year to follow.”
The City Council approved the Committee’s recommendation and adopted the following timeline to receive recommended candidates:
Feb. 25, 2025: Release of the official Application for Appointment
March 31, 2025: Close Application submissions at 5 p.m.
April 30, 2025: Completion of applicant review and selection of candidates for interview
May 24, 2025: Completion of all candidate interviews
June 1, 2025: Recommendation of candidates for appointment to City Council
Individuals seeking appointment to the Board of Education must submit a completed application to the City of Pell City by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2025. Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson emphasized the importance of a timely appointment process to ensure a fair and transparent selection of new board members.
“Time is of the essence,” she stated. “Applicants need adequate time to prepare, we require time for thorough review, and most importantly, any new board members will need time to effectively assume their roles.”
Pictured during their meeting on Feb. 11, members of the Steering Committee reviewed applications and procedural documents used by appointed boards of education from across the state and nation during the process of designing a recommended application for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education.
During her initial presentation to the Pell City City Council on February 10, Furgerson outlined the Steering Committee’s plan to deliver recommended actions before the next council meeting on February 24. These recommendations will include a formal application for appointment and a proposed timeline for the recommendation process.
Furgerson acknowledged that the Steering Committee’s schedule may be more accelerated than initially anticipated.
“We aim to close the application window by the end of March,” she stated. “The Committee agrees that providing the Council with its recommendations early in the summer is the most efficient approach.”
Following the February 10 presentation, the Steering Committee held a meeting on February 11 to finalize the application for appointment. This application will be released to the public if approved by the City Council.
The public can expect to see the Steering Committee’s recommendations, including the Application for Appointment to the Pell City Board of Education, presented to the City Council at its next meeting on February 24.
City Council Meeting Date: February 24, 2025 Time: Work Session: 5:30 PM, Meeting: 6 PM Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 1905 1st Ave. N, Pell City, AL 35125
Prior to its presentation to the City Council, the Steering Committee held two preliminary meetings: one in December 2024 and another in January 2025. The inaugural meeting focused on organizational matters and included an expedited review of procedural documents and application processes from appointed boards of education across the state and nation.
The January meeting centered on a comprehensive discussion and confirmation of critical content for the Pell City Board of Education’s Application for Appointment.
Furgerson expressed satisfaction with the application, stating, “We are pleased with the final product of our efforts.”
The Steering Committee is now eager to release the application to the public. “We are tasked with recommending exceptional candidates to lead our schools,” Furgerson emphasized. “We recognize the many qualified individuals within our community and encourage all interested parties to apply.”
The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee met in January, its second meeting, to review and revise a draft application for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education. The City Council anticipates a progress update from the Committee this month.
The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee is comprised of Tammie Williams, Monique Bowman, Rusty Jessup, Jeff Jones, Cory Bline, Roland St. John, and Kelly Furgerson.
During its January meeting, the Committee organized the criteria it will use to solicit ideal applicants for the Pell City Board of Education. According to Steering Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson, the foundation of the application for appointment will use specific language about the most desirable characteristics for Pell City BOE members. These traits include:
Willingness to give sufficient time and effort
A belief in the spirit and need for public education
The ability to motivate other people
The capacity to understand people
The insight needed to work as part of a cooperative body
Devotion to the concept of a better society through education
Commitment to a high expectation for student achievement
Commitment to a high expectation for quality instruction
The ability to define a vision for excellence and the goals for its achievement
Committee members are fully engaged and moving quickly. Their work has focused on creating the draft application for appointment and timeline. When ready, both will be presented to the City Council and, if approved, released to the public.
The Committee report to the City Council is expected to include actionable recommendations for the next steps in transitioning the Board of Education from an elected to an appointed board.
About the Steering Committee
The City Council appointed the seven Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee members in October 2024. The Steering Committee is comprised of Tammie Williams, Monique Bowman, Rusty Jessup, Jeff Jones, Cory Bline, Roland St. John, and Kelly Furgerson.
Among other responsibilities, the Committee was tasked with interviewing and recommending future members of the Pell City Board of Education to the City Council for appointment. Its members are serving an initial term of two years.
Members of the Steering Committee committed to drafting an application that reflects their intentions of recommending the best possible candidates for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education.
Steering Committee Activity
December 17, 2024: Organizational Meeting
January 23, 2025: Application Roundtable
The Steering Committee was activated in November 2024 and held its organizational meeting at the close of the year. During the meeting, Committee members reviewed applications for Board member appointments from across the nation.
Committee members met in January to discuss the application for appointment, consider applicant criteria, and suggest information and questions that should be included in the final document.
“The members of the Steering Committee are committed to a transparent and thorough process for recommending the very best individuals to serve on our Board of Education,” said Furgerson, who was elected Chair of the Committee during the initial meeting. “We take our responsibility seriously and are dedicated to ensuring the application process is fair, equitable, and accessible to all qualified candidates.”
About the Appointed Board of Education
Amendment 1, proposed by Sen. Lance Bell, sought to correct education governance issues in St. Clair County by converting the Pell City Board of Education from elected to appointed. This change was approved by St. Clair County voters in the November 2024 General Election. Appointments will be made by the City Council.
The measure dictates that at least two members of the appointed Board must reside in the county portion of the Pell City Schools Attendance Zone and Tax District, which includes the areas of Riverside, New London, and Cook Springs, among others.
The Board of Education plays a vital role in shaping the future of our community by overseeing the district’s educational policies and ensuring the success of the district’s more than 4,000 students. Those interested in an appointment to the Board are encouraged to follow the City’s official communication channels for updated information.
