Government - Town of Summerdale, AL

Mayor-Council Form of Government

The Town of Summerdale utilizes a Mayor-Council form of government. Both the Mayor and Council are elected by the people to four-year terms. The Mayor and Council are elected at large, which means that each represents all residents of Summerdale. The mayor sits on the Town Council and has an equal vote.

Town Council Meetings

The Town Council typically meets monthly on the second Monday with a work session at 5:00pm and council meeting at 6:00pm. Our meetings are open to the public, public comments may only be made during the public comment section of the agenda, which will be opened by the presiding officer.

Schedule changes may occur due to holidays, emergency closures, etc. For more information contact Town Clerk Tiffany Lynn, at townclerk@summerdaleal.com

Meet Your Mayor

Mayor Randy Farris

Office of the Mayor

The Mayor of Summerdale serves as the chief executive officer of the town and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the municipal government. The Mayor works closely with the Town Council to ensure that the needs of our community are met and that Summerdale continues to grow and prosper.

The mayor must take the initiative to establish a working relationship between the council and the office of the mayor. Open communication, within the bounds of the Open Meetings Act, will be key but the mayor need not compromise honest viewpoints or surrender leadership.

Contact Information

Mayor Randy Farris
502 W Lee Ave
Summerdale, AL 36580
(251) 989-6202
mayorfarris@summerdaleal.com

Town Council

In the mayor-council form of government, the council is the local legislative body upon which rests the responsibility of determining the policies to be followed in the administration of the municipal government. In almost every instance where state law grants authority to cities and towns under the mayor-council form of government, such authority must be exercised through the council. The council is the ultimate source of power in the mayor-council city or town, and in its exercise of this power, the council determines the extent to which the governmental and corporate functions of the municipality are exercised.

Meet Your Town Council

Place 1

Brandon Carlson

Place 2

Norma Wilson Giles

Place 3

Mary Carolyn McDaniel

Place 4

Jacob Welch

Place 5

Cheryl Stewart

Get to Know Your Council Members

Jacob Welch – Place 4

Hello, my name is Jacob Welch. I have lived in Summerdale since buying my first home here in 1999. I have been married to my wife, Chrissy, for 24 years and we have two sons, Conner and Justin. Our kids went to Summerdale School and both graduated from Elberta High School. I own a small business in Foley. I have served on various boards for the Town of Summerdale for the last seventeen years. I look forward to serving on the town council and hope to help this place I call home grow into something everyone can be proud of. If anyone has any questions or concern, please feel free to email me at jwelch@summerdaleal.com

Council Meeting Information and Agendas

The Town Council typically meets monthly on the second Monday with a work session at 5:00pm and council meeting at 6:00pm. Our meetings are open to the public, public comments may only be made during the public comment section of the agenda, which will be opened by the presiding officer.

Schedule changes may occur due to holidays, emergency closures, etc. For more information contact Town Clerk Tiffany Lynn, at townclerk@summerdaleal.com

Meeting Agendas and Minutes

View current and past meeting agendas, minutes, and supporting documents through our public portal. All council meeting records are available for public review.

View Agendas & Minutes

Boards and Commissions

Planning Commission

The Town of Summerdale Planning Commission consists of nine members that are volunteer citizens appointed by the Mayor and Council. The commission holds at least one meeting each month. The duty of the Commission is to make and adopt a master plan for physical development of the Town. The commission shall adopt regulations governing subdivision of land within its planning jurisdiction. They also review zoning cases and make recommendations to the Town Council.

Meeting Schedule:

The Planning Commission meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:00PM, with Planning Commission workshop prior, at the Summerdale Municipal Complex.

Agenda Submittal:

To be placed on the Commission agenda, please review the required items and the list of meeting dates and deadlines in the downloads section of the Community Development Page.

You will need to submit ALL required items to the Community Development Department by the appropriate meeting deadline. Incomplete submittals will not be accepted for an agenda until all items are submitted. If the development property falls within the shared planning jurisdiction of Baldwin County and Summerdale, approval from Baldwin County Planning and where applicable, Baldwin County Hwy will be required prior to submittal to Summerdale.

Commission Members:

Chairman:
Ken Gates

Vice Chairman:
Katelyn Thigpen

Members:
Randy Farris
Norma Giles
Eric Jackson
Chuck Lay
Stacey Martin
Steve Ricks
Dana Thompson

Secretary:
Chasity Y. Davis

Zoning Board

The Summerdale Zoning Board of Adjustment consists of five members with two supernumerary members. The Zoning Board hears appeals to consider granting variances or special exceptions to the Zoning Ordinance.

When a meeting is called, the time and place will be posted at Town Hall. For more information, please contact Morgan Dean at (251) 989-1791 or cddassist@summerdaleal.com.

Board Members:

Chairman:
Jacob Welch

Members:
Faith Wilson
John Resmondo
Jodie Willis
Don Durham
Ryne Engel
Tiffany Givens

Secretary:
Morgan Dean

Other Boards

Information about other boards and commissions will be provided as it becomes available.

Past Mayors

Summerdale has been served by many dedicated mayors throughout its history. We honor their service and contributions to our community.

2025-Present

Randy Farris

1992-2025

David Wilson

1989-1992

Roy Holmes

1980-1989

William McPherson

1979-1980

Norman Graham

1976-1979

Glenn Martz

1975-1976

M.D. Dawkins

1960-1975

John Jurkiewicz

1952-1960

Horace Kennedy

1950-1952

Clifton Clopton

1948-1950

Fred Friskhorn

1944-1948

E.H. Tietgen

1940-1944

W.V. Phillips

1937-1940

E.H. Tietgen

1930-1937

F.J. Cheesman

1929-1930

R.B. Capperrune

Contact Your Government

Have questions or concerns? We're here to help. Contact Town Hall to speak with government officials or to get information about meetings and public records.

Phone:
(251) 989-6202 ext. 3

Address:
502 W Lee Ave.
Summerdale, AL 36580

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