Northport (finally) has a new District 3 Council Member

March 29, 2023

WVUA 23 Digital,

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Karl Wiggins to the open Northport City Council District 3 seat. Wiggins said he is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the Northport community.

“I was just excited and happy and a little nervous because I know it’s a big responsibility,” Wiggins said. “There are a lot of people who have supported me through this, or people maybe who didn’t but I think that you know my goal is to try to serve the whole community and to serve my district.”

The move ends a monthslong wait for an appointment after former Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon resigned from office Dec. 31 and former District 3 Council Member John Hinton took the mayor’s seat Jan. 1.

According to Alabama law, Northport had 60 days after the seat opened to appoint someone. If no one was appointed after 60 days, Ivey would be required to step in and had 30 days to appoint someone herself.

Ivey was tasked with making the appointment in February after the Northport City Council could not come to a consensus on an appointment. Northport city leaders requested a response by March 27, but Ivey made the appointment March 29.

She chose Wiggins among a trio of candidates that also included Jason Barksdale and Kevin Pate. Wiggins is a vice president of information technology at local publisher Randall-Reilly.

“I think that there are a lot of people who just want to see the best for the city and I’m happy to listen to people in the community and try to understand what they would like to see and do,” said Wiggins

Wiggins appointment is effective immediately. He will be sworn in at Northport’s next council meeting next Monday.