The city and school officials officially began their terms on May 19 at a joint inauguration ceremony held at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

This event marked the start of a new four-year term for all seven city council members, the eight members of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education, and Mayor Walt Maddox.

A new semester will begin on April 1, following the local government elections that took place on March 4, which included a contested seat on the District 1 City Council. Challenger Joe Eatmon won against incumbent Matthew Wilson. Eatmon joins the council alongside returning members Raevan Howard (district 2), Norman Crow (district 3), Lee Busby (district 4), Kip Tyner (district 5), John Faile (district 6), and Cassius Lanier (district 7).

Mayor Walt Maddox, now in his sixth term, addressed the audience with a message focusing on shared responsibility and financial resilience.

Maddox highlighted Alabama’s simplified sellers use tax (SSUT), an 8% tax on online sales, noting it contributes to significant revenue losses for the city, which collects a 10% sales tax from in-person transactions. He mentioned that the city loses millions annually due to the SSUT model and introduced a new initiative named “Tuscaloosa First” aimed at enhancing accountability and efficiency in urban spending.

City Council President Kip Tyner, beginning his eighth term, expressed enthusiasm about the new council’s makeup and welcomed Eatmon, who he has known for 20 years. Tyner also encouraged community members to shop locally to support businesses.

The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education members took their oaths as well, including Chairman Eric Wilson, Dr. Karen Thompson Jackson (district 1), Kendra Williams (district 2), Leslie Powell (district 3), Clint Mountain (district 4), Erica Grant (district 5), Marvin Lucas (district 6), and Elskin Simmons (district 7).

During the ceremony, Wilson commended Principal Mike Dahlia for her nearly 30 years in the district, noting that she is slated to retire in 2026. The board recently voted to shorten her contract at her request, with her official retirement now set for June 30, 2026.

Wilson also addressed a failed property tax referendum from September 2024, reaffirming the board’s commitment to progress. He stated that the system will continue to “advance, move up, and move full speed forward.”