The City of Valley has a council of seven members and a mayor for a total of eight members. This is an unusual structure since most Alabama cities the size of Valley have only five members and a mayor. Valley's district structure came from negotiations with the U.S. Justice Department and the City Council when the city converted from at-large voting to voting districts in 1992. Two "safe" minority districts were created and distribution of populations resulted in seven districts rather than five. Valley's district layout and odd seven member council scheme was approved by the U.S. Federal Courts. |
| The City of Valley does most of its planning and research in advisory committees. Committees report their findings and recommendations to the council for official action. Committees cannot take official action nor can they commit the city without authorization from the council. Two of these committees are the Beautification Committee and the Recreation Committee. Special advisory committees are created for a specific short-term purpose. Two of these have been the Millennium Community Celebration Committee and the Special Zoning Committee. |
| There are several important boards and commissions that have played a big role in Valley's progress. Some are the Valley Board of Adjustments, the Valley Historic Preservation Commission, the Valley Planning Commission, and the Valley Tree Board. Valley's success in these areas depends upon the patient dedication of the volunteers and appointees that serve on these boards. It is their hard work and sense of civic duty that create positive achievements in their board and commission areas of responsibility. |
