KENNETH E. GULLEY
MAYOR
Kenneth E. Gulley is serving in his fourth term as Mayor of Bessemer.
Gulley was first elected to office in 2010 and was re-elected in August 2014, August 2018, and August 2022. The four-term mayor has set about an agenda to make the city of Bessemer a force in the state economically and a place its residents can be proud to call home.
In his four terms in office, Gulley’s administration has made several significant accomplishments. Among them:
- Improved city finances by taking the city from millions in debt to a budget surplus.
- Established a business-friendly administration, which has resulted in the recruitment of more business and industry to Bessemer. About 7000 jobs have been created in the city during his administration.
- Improved the staffing levels and technology at the Bessemer Police Department to combat crime, resulting in a dramatic drop in the city’s overall crime rate.
- Created a unified working relationship between the Mayor and the Council.
- Created transparency in city government.
- Constructed the city’s first Recreation Center in 2016 and a new City Hall in 2017.
- Purchased new equipment to replace worn equipment across all city departments.
- Invested in the city’s parks and recreation amenities, including the city’s first-ever “Rail-Trail.
- Secured funding to improve the city’s aging infrastructure. His administration has also worked feverishly to make sure city employees are compensated among the best in Jefferson County.