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Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. will give his annual State of the City Address today at the Larry D. Striplin Performing Arts Center.

The State of the City Address given by Perkins will focus on successes, current challenges and priorities under the third term for Perkins that began in November, 2020. Perkins defeated former Selma City Councilwoman Miah Jackson for a third term.

At last year’s State of the City Address in April 2021, Perkins  discussed his first six months back in office that included the COVID-19 pandemic, social injustices and the impact of hurricane Zeta.

The issues Perkins could discuss include: the status of the Selma Fire Department and finding a permanent Chief, Selma Police Department, road repairs on various streets and city finances.

Perkins discussed state of the city at the Selma Rotary Club in January.

Members of the Selma City Council, first lady Cynthia Perkins, Department heads and Mayor’s assistants are among those expected to attend.

The city council consists of: President Billy Young, Councilwomen Lesia James, Christie Thomas, Jannie Thomas, Councilmen Sam Randolph, Atkin Jemison, Clay Carmichael, Troy Harvill and Michael Johnson.

Department heads include: Danielle Wooten (Planning and Development), John Kinnerson Jr. (IT Director), Steven Hendricks (Code Enforcement Director) and Aaron Roper (Tax Collector).

Perkins is the first African-American Mayor in Selma. He served from 2000 to 2008.