Downes to be hired as city manager

The City of Vestavia Hills has selected Jeffrey Downes of Montgomery as its new city manager. His employment contract has been placed on the June 10 City Council Agenda for approval.

“Since it went public today (June 6), I think I’m both a little nervous and excited,” Downes said. “For the first time in many a day, I shed a tear from the sadness of leaving my friends, family and colleagues. But it’s also exciting that the news has been well received by so many individuals in Vestavia Hills, many of whom contacted me this morning. It’s very humbling.”

Under the contract, Downes would earn $150,000 annually and receive an automobile allowance of $500 per month. He would also be reimbursed up to $7,500 to relocate from Montgomery to Vestavia Hills, and $6,500 for two house-hunting trips.

Downes’ contract, if signed, would commence on July 15 and expire after two years.

In the position of city manager, Downes’ responsibilities would be similar to those in his current role as chief of staff/deputy mayor for the City of Montgomery. Downes said that position, which he has held for 10 years, identifies the city’s chief non-elected official accountable for oversight of all operations.

“So, I’ve carried the role, just not the title,” he said.

In applying for the city manager position in Vestavia Hills, Downes said he sought to sell the Council on his strengths, one of which is his success in developing retail. He said he and his team were responsible for the development of the Montgomery Riverwalk, which has served as the lynchpin in the city’s downtown revitalization.

 “The City Council’s primary objective is to shepherd an environment that builds a strong economic base, a superior school system and an unsurpassed quality of life, “said Steve Ammons, Mayor Pro Tem, Vestavia Hills City Council in a press release. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jeff and incorporate his ideas into our overall growth plan for the City of Vestavia Hills.”

Downes said his first and only goal once in the position would be to listen to the needs of Vestavia Hills’ residents.

“The best thing I can do is be open to what the community’s desires and wishes are,” he said. “I want to clearly understand from my bosses – the mayor and Council - what their priorities area and work hard to accomplish them.

Downes added he’s had success with this method in the past.

“One of things that’s unique with me, I’ve worked with four different mayors, and I think you’ll find I was always very reactive to their priorities,” he said. “I always found a way to accomplish the mission at hand.”

According to a release from the City of Vestavia Hills, Downes began his career with the City of Montgomery in 1987 as a college intern in the finance department. His role as an intern included supplementing staff roles in all divisions of the finance department and implementation of special projects under leadership of the director of finance. In April 1989, Downes was hired permanently by the City of Montgomery as its first risk manager.

In that role, he created a workers compensation management system, a fully integrated employee assistance program, a drug-testing program, an international drug importation program, a self-insured liability program and a flexible spending account program. Then, in 2003, Mayor Bobby Bright tapped him to serve as one of his Executive Assistants.

“Vestavia Hills is frequently recognized as one of the best places to live in the United States,” said Mayor Butch Zaragoza said in the release. “Jeff has a background that will help us build on what we have already established as a city. His past experience includes a focus on public works, council relations, downtown projects and technology matters for the City of Montgomery.”

An honors graduate of Auburn University with a BS degree in Public Administration, Downes also obtained his Master of Public Administration Degree from AUM. He is a certified workers compensation claims adjuster and is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for States Risk Retention Group, a captive insurance company domiciled in Vermont.

Downes serves in many different community groups to include Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Weed and Seed Program, St. Bede Child Development Center Board of Directors, Health Services Inc., Hampstead Institute and Catholic Social Services. He is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery and of Leadership Alabama. He is married to Penny Downes and they have four children Chad, Sydney, Harrison and Alexandra.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished in Montgomery, but I’m excited to bring my skills and talents to Vestavia Hills and help where I can,” Downes said. “I think this is an excellent opportunity to create a win-win partnership to accomplish this community’s vision.”

A citywide referendum passed in 2010 approved Vestavia Hills transition to a mayor-city manager form of government, and Randy Robertson, first to assume the mantle, began working in the role in January 2012 in an interim basis. Robertson officially became city manager in November 2012, but resigned in March citing a need to relocate to care for his ailing father-in-law.

Click here to view Downes' tentative contract, which begins on page 43.