Selma mayor tackles blight, cuts contract costs, boosts revitalization projects in first few weeks in office

In the first weeks of serving as Selma mayor, Johnny Moss III says his focus is on revitalization, rebuilding trust and fixing “broken systems.” 

In his first State of the City address to the Selma Rotary Club on Monday, Moss said his priorities are simple but foundational: stabilize city government, repair basic infrastructure and restore confidence in City Hall.

“We’re being honest, organized and rebuilding,” Moss said. “We have great people working for the city, and we’re shifting the culture.”

The mayor highlighted tackling blight, which he called a major barrier to investment, by increasing code enforcement. With that comes updating old ordinances – some from the 70s – that make enforcing laws challenging, he added.

“Blight drains neighborhoods and discourages investment. That’s our reality,” Moss said. “We need to stabilize.”

Moss said his administration is reviewing all city contracts to eliminate redundancy and ensure taxpayers are getting what they pay for. That included changing the law firms used by the mayor and council. Under the previous administration, the mayor and council each had their own Birmingham lawyers that cost the city $500,000. The city will now rely on two local attorneys – Graham Moseley for daily business and ordinances, and Tommy Atchison for litigation – a move Moss said will reduce costs and keep legal work local.

The mayor also talked about how the Alabama Department of Revenue is assisting the city in collecting approximately $1.2 million in taxes owed, which was previously reported by the Black Belt News Network.

Another hot topic addressed is garbage collection, which remains one of the city’s most pressing challenges.

Moss described the current outsourced system as “flawed,” noting that the city has been paying $50,000 to $60,000 per month to its current vendor, including charges for houses that have burned down and no longer exist. He added that many residents are not paying for garbage service, leaving the city responsible for the shortfall under an “implied contract” with Martin.

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A request for proposals for a new vendor is expected to go out this week for a two-year contract. Moss said the long-term goal is to bring garbage collection back under city control by purchasing two trucks.

“We can’t afford to bring it back under the city right now,” he said. “But in two years, we’ll raise the money to buy two trucks and do it ourselves. Then we can control it better.”

On the development front, Moss pointed to revitalization efforts along Alabama Avenue near the post office, supported by a grant secured prior to his taking office. The project includes structural improvements and adaptive reuse to make the block more attractive for business development.

He pointed to the growth along Water Avenue and said the city will hold property owners accountable for neglected buildings through fines and liens if necessary to keep momentum going there. He plans for future revitalization efforts to extend down Broad Street.

Moss said he plans to travel to Washington, D.C., in March to meet with U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell to communicate that Selma is moving in a new direction.

“We’re on a different path,” he said. “And we’re restoring relationships.”

While acknowledging that progress will take time, Moss told Rotarians he believes Selma is headed in the right direction.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” he said. “We’re rebuilding the right way. It will take some time, but we’re headed the right way.”