Tuscaloosa city officials voted on September 24 to retain overtime pay for Executive Director of Public Safety Brent Blankley, even though Alabama House Bill 160 expressly exempts the position from mandatory overtime. Mayor Walt Maddox cast the deciding vote, breaking a 3‑3 tie on the council floor.
Background on the proposed changes
In early 2025 the city began pursuing a two‑part package: first, to strip overtime eligibility from the newly created Executive Director of Public Safety role; second, to raise the base salary so the incumbent would not suffer a pay cut. The raise would have lifted Blankley’s salary from $184,596 to $230,000, with additional room for future increases.
House Bill 160, sponsored by Northport Rep. Ron Bolton at the request of Tuscaloosa officials, amended older statutes that required overtime pay for sworn police officers and firefighters. The bill specifically states that “an individual employed as the City of Tuscaloosa’s Executive Director of Public Safety shall not be eligible for any overtime pay or compensatory leave provided under this section.” The governor signed the bill into law, and it took effect on October 1, 2026.
Council vote and mayor’s tie‑breaker
During the public‑safety committee meeting the salary‑increase motion failed to gain a second, leaving the proposal dead. In the full council meeting, councilmembers Joe Eatmon, Raevan Howard, and Cassius Lanier voted against removing overtime; Richard Henry, Lee Busby, and John Faile voted in favor. With the council president’s seat vacant after the death of Kip Tyner, the chamber was deadlocked at 3‑3.
Mayor Maddox, who normally does not vote on council matters, stepped in and voted “no” on the overtime‑stripping amendment, thereby keeping the overtime provision in place. He linked his vote to the earlier promise of a salary adjustment that never reached the council floor.
Legal context
Alabama Act 80‑356 still requires overtime pay for any sworn law‑enforcement officer who works more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week. HB 160 removes that compulsory requirement only for the Executive Director of Public Safety, not for other city employees. The city spokesperson clarified that while the state law removes the mandate, the city may still choose to pay overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act and local code.
City Attorney Scott Holmes confirmed that the council’s action does not overrule the state law; it simply exercises the discretion the law leaves to the municipality.
Mayor’s rationale
Mayor Maddox explained that the administration and policy committee, as well as the finance committee, had reached a consensus in late 2025 to request the legislative exemption and to adjust the pay plan so the new role would not suffer a reduction. “Because that agenda item was not moved forward from committee to council, the position will remain overtime‑eligible,” he said.
The mayor also noted that the original plan included a $10,000 cap on first‑year overtime, but the city spokesperson said there is no legal limit on overtime earnings for the position.
Implications for the community
Blankley, who earned tens of thousands of dollars annually in overtime as former Tuscaloosa Police Chief, now has a base salary near $190,000 as Executive Director of Public Safety. Retaining overtime eligibility means his total compensation will likely remain comparable to his previous earnings, preserving the incentive for experienced leadership of the city’s police, fire, and E‑911 services.
Rep. Ron Bolton, the bill’s sponsor, reiterated that he introduced HB 160 at the city’s request and is willing to work on any corrective legislation if needed.
What’s next?
The council will continue to consider the broader pay‑plan adjustment in future budget cycles. Residents and local businesses can expect the city to maintain a stable compensation structure for its top public‑safety official while complying with state law and preserving fiscal flexibility.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
