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Submitted photos.
Trussville City Council members - 1
Trussville City Council members, from left: Ben Horton (Place 1), Brian Jackson (Place 2), Jaime Melton Anderson (Place 3), Jim Miller (Place 4), Kimberly Farr (Place 4).
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Photo by Tosha Gaines.
Trussville Mayor Ben Short.
Trussville voters delivered a clear message: grow — but do it smart. On Aug. 26, they elected Ben Short as mayor and installed a new council majority that shares his vision for measured development rooted in transparency, planning and trust. The new administration takes office in November.
Short, a City Council member since 2020, won with 51.76% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. He defeated council member Lisa Bright and Jefferson County Tax Collector J.T. Smallwood. Four of five council seats were also filled, creating a governing team with backgrounds in military leadership, business, planning and finance — and a shared urgency to align growth with infrastructure.
“I’m just extremely grateful,” Short said on election night. “I love this community. I’ve just been extremely blessed by this, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve them for the next four years.”
WHAT THE VOTERS SAID
The outcome capped a high-stakes cycle framed by years of rapid expansion. Trussville has grown from about 3,500 residents in 1980 to more than 26,000 by 2020 — decades of more than 50% growth — leaving its roads, schools and budgets struggling to keep pace.
Voters made it clear: growth is welcome, but it must be managed. Short’s win and the council results reflect a shift toward leaders ready to confront that challenge. Some voters cited traffic congestion as their biggest concern; others pointed to crowded schools, rising taxes or neighborhood impacts. Many said they want more transparency from city leaders and a stronger connection between the city council and school board.
The campaign itself was unusually energetic for a municipal race, with packed candidate forums, active neighborhood debates and high turnout compared with previous years. Many residents said they saw this election as a turning point in how Trussville handles its future.
Photo by Tosha Gaines.
Trussville Mayor Ben Short.
PLANNER’S MINDSET
Short, a Trussville resident since 2003, brings experience in law enforcement, business and governance. He served as a police officer and detective, and he and his wife Amanda own Trussville To Go, a local food delivery company. He also works with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, giving him insight into public safety and regional partnerships.im insight into public safety and regional partnerships.
He is a certified Alabama Planning and Zoning Official and says his early priorities as mayor include:
- Updating subdivision regulations and design standards
- Improving public access to city data
- Educating residents on municipal finance
- Advocating for reforms to sales tax distribution, particularly Alabama’s SSUT model
- Expanding Highway 11 access to ease bottlenecks
“Strategic growth and getting our subdivision regulations updated,” Short said, describing his first priority. “If we get those in place, that’ll slow growth to the rate we need to avoid straining our school system.”
He also pledged monthly public updates on city finances. “I think there’s a lot of confusion in municipal finance because it’s not the same as everyday business,” he said. “Educating the public is going to be key.”
UNIFIED COUNCIL, LOCAL ROOTS
The new council includes engineers, veterans, business leaders and civic advocates.
- Ben Horton (Place 1): a lifelong resident and CEO of Cahaba Fire Company, calls for a master strategic plan and updated zoning ordinances.
- Brian Jackson (Place 2): a CEO and accountant who ran unopposed, emphasizes financial stewardship and coordination with schools.
- Jaime Melton Anderson (Place 3): an Air Force reservist and incumbent, stresses revenue diversification and light industry.
- Jim Miller (Place 4): a retired Army lieutenant colonel, frames growth as a school capacity issue: “Every new house usually means about 2.5 more kids in our already crowded schools.”
- Kimberly Farr (Place 5): an HR director and chamber vice president, calls for clearer communication with residents and collaboration with schools.
Together, the council represents a blend of technical expertise and local roots, giving it credibility with both longtime residents and new families moving in.
FROM VISION TO EXECUTION
Nearly every candidate referenced the Trussville 2040 Plan during the campaign. While the plan outlines a vision for land use, transportation and economic development, many say it must now be converted into an actionable roadmap.
“Vision alone is not enough,” Farr said. “By breaking the plan down into clear, achievable goals and holding ourselves accountable, we can make it a success.”
Short and several council members support updating zoning and subdivision ordinances in their first months. Most see that as the policy lever with the greatest immediate impact on school crowding, traffic and infrastructure.
Beyond policy, leaders say tone and trust will matter just as much. Several pledged more frequent town halls, better communication with neighborhoods and open-door access for residents.
As Trussville prepares for its next chapter, the challenge will not be vision — it will be pace, policy and execution. Voters chose a mayor and council who appear ready to tackle all three.
Cahaba Sun correspondent Malia Riggs contributed to this report.
