DOTHAN: It was in March 2024 when four Dothan Commissioners made the decision not to renew the employment contract of Kevin Cowper as City Manager of Dothan. Since that time Randy Morris, who was serving as Assistant City Manager, took over the reins. For the past 11 months Randy Morris has led the charge of Dothan City Government.
GUESS WHAT? The operations of the City of Dothan have run very smoothly under Randy’s leadership. He is a detailed man who studies each issue and project and sets a steady patch. There have not been any controversies or significant issues since Randy Morris became the captain of the ship on April 18, 2024. When Morris took the reins he has worked on communications with the Mayor and Commissioners. He has been up front, kept each of them informed, and showed respect to each elected official and to the public.
Randy Morris has been with the City of Dothan for about 26 years (plus or minus). He attended and graduated from Carroll High School. Morris attended and graduated the University of Alabama. Morris also served in the United States Military and is a veteran. So, Randy Morris has the local advantage (raised in Ozark), attended an Alabama college, has the military experience of serving and protecting these the United States of America, has the government experience, and knows the City of Dothan. Morris has the respect of the Dothan Department Heads and staff of the City of Dothan. He does his homework on issues.
Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and members of the Dothan Commission have been conducting interviews. One candidate from Ft. Novosel has withdrawn his name. A second, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Ft. Novosel, has been interviewed. And Randy Morris is one who has applied for the full time job as Dothan City Manager.
A decision is expected in the immediate future on who will be the new Dothan City Manager. If the Dothan Mayor and Commissioners do not select Randy Morris, it will be Randy Morris’s job to train the new city manager and get them up to date. It will take a new city manager about two years to get up to date on the operations of the City of Dothan.
Some Commissioners are sold on the military-type as City Manager. Randy Morris has proven he is more than capable of managing the City of Dothan, keeping and maintaining the steady course of the ship, and has a vision of how things should go. Randy Morris has the Military experience and is a Veteran.
So why would the Mayor or any Commissioner select someone out of Dothan to become the City Manager?
