Progress
Led financial turnaround that restored Selma’s fiscal integrity and funding eligibility. Cleared a two-year audit backlog, bringing the city back into compliance with state and federal reporting requirements. Earned its Standard & Poor’s municipal credit rating, proving its debt-servicing capacity and fiscal discipline. Blocked unbalanced budgets while supporting livable wages for essential workers. By advancing a balanced budget approach focused on core services and sustainability. Positioned Selma to secure over $50 million in state and federal grants.
Launched a comprehensive housing strategy that focuses on restoring existing homes and building new ones. Secured $4.7 million to rehabilitate 191 homes, removing hazards to create safe quality housing and 50 fortified roof upgrades. Partnered with NACA and the Selma Housing Authority to redevelop 103 dilapidated lots into single-family homes and expand affordable homeownership. Blight removal prioritized with over 60 dilapidated, tax-delinquent structures demolished. New multifamily units are breaking ground for 108 new apartments.
Secured $6.1 million to stimulate small business growth, public-private partnerships, and a tourism-centered economy capitalizing on the 8.8 million travelers passing through downtown Selma annually. Key cultural and recreational assets upgraded—including the Amphitheater, George Evans Building, Selma Convention Center, and Performing Arts Center, Dinkins Pool, East Selma Pond and Fishing Pier, Ralph Shug Jordan Track, City Marina — received $2.1 million in renovations to reestablish them as regional event and tourism hubs all designed keep the over 200,000 annual visitors and allow both tourists and residents to support and benefit from Selma’s growing local economy.
Reduced wasteful spending, reinstated strategic planning, performance evaluations, and proper management strategies, lowered impact of long-term debt, and improved revenue collection. His leadership and advocacy kept the city off the brink of bankruptcy after major national disasters.
Completed the largest street improvement effort in city history, investing $2.5 million to resurface over 80+ blocks across 3 wards. Paired with $2 million in sanitary sewer line upgrades to improve aging infrastructure, and $2.3 million in drainage and sinkhole remediation to address long-standing flooding and street collapse issues. Additional projects include $2.1 million streetscape, parking, and Alabama River Boardwalk to support tourism growth and enhance pedestrian access. Through Selma Water Works, $15 million secured to replace outdated lead water service lines across the city and helped usher in $45 million in broadband internet infrastructure for every household.
Led Selma through multiple federally declared disasters with decisive leadership and a focus on equitable recovery. After Hurricane Zeta (2020), the city secured over $1.2 million in FEMA Public Assistance. In response to the catastrophic January 12, 2023 tornado, which damaged hundreds of structures across Selma, coordinated to secure more than $8.5 million in disaster recovery and $12 million in rebuilding assistance. Following the historic artic freeze, the city through swift action evaded widespread utility failure. Across all three events, Perkins’ administration leveraged these challenges to improve Selma’s long-term resilience, infrastructure readiness, and community preparedness.