CALERA, Ala. — Mayor Kenny Dale Cost resigned Monday amid criticism over alleged racially insensitive remarks made at his home, stepping down a week after publicly apologizing without disclosing what he had said.
Cost submitted his resignation at about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 2, City Council President Drew Bradshaw announced during the council’s evening work session. The resignation took effect immediately, and Bradshaw assumed the mayor’s duties.
“At about 1:30 p.m. today, Mayor Cost submitted his official resignation and stepped down from office,” Bradshaw said, according to the Shelby County Reporter. “In accordance with Alabama law, I have officially assumed the duties and roles of mayor of Calera.”
The resignation came on the day the council was scheduled to consider a resolution condemning the alleged remarks. The city did not provide a reason for Cost’s resignation or say whether the proposed resolution influenced his decision.
Neither Cost nor city officials had publicly identified the specific remarks in the reporting available Tuesday morning. The circumstances surrounding the comments also remained unclear.
Cost addressed the controversy at the Oct. 26 council meeting, describing an incident at his home but offering no details about what happened.
“There was a situation that happened in my private home that caused problems,” Cost said, according to the Shelby County Reporter. “The last thing I would do is hurt any of you. I truly apologize to all it hurt, and it will never happen again.”
At that meeting, Cost indicated he intended to remain in office, saying he would continue working for the city. Residents and council members, however, questioned his conduct and called for accountability.
Resident Terrell Banks said the public needed more information before deciding how to respond, WVTM 13 reported.
“I feel like we all deserve answers and like to know the content of what was said and why it was said to give us a better light on the situation,” Banks said.
Council member Henry Davis said elected officials should strongly consider stepping aside when their actions undermine public trust. Bradshaw also distanced himself from the sentiments attributed to Cost, saying leaders remained accountable for their conduct outside their official duties.
“While those statements were made in a private capacity, leadership does follow us in every space that we occupy,” Bradshaw said at the Oct. 26 meeting, according to AL.com.
The city issued a statement saying comments made in a personal capacity did not represent municipal policy. It pledged to provide services and make decisions without discrimination based on race, ethnicity or background.
The proposed council resolution, introduced by Bradshaw, described the mayor’s alleged remarks as racially insensitive, inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of public officials. It did not identify the specific comments. ABC 33/40 reported Monday night that the city had not said whether the resolution was withdrawn, considered or approved following Cost’s resignation.
Cost’s departure came about a year after he won the mayor’s office in a decisive runoff against longtime incumbent Jon Graham. Cost received 1,015 votes, or 82.32%, to Graham’s 218 votes, or 17.68%, in the Sept. 23, 2025, election.
A local homebuilder, Cost was completing his first City Council term when he won the election.Graham had been seeking a fifth term as mayor. Cost was sworn in Nov. 3, 2025, and resigned less than a year later.
During his campaign, Cost emphasized cooperation, accountability and citizen engagement, according to an April 2025 report by Alabama Political Reporter. After winning, he outlined priorities that included attracting businesses and improving roads and other infrastructure.
With Bradshaw assuming the mayor’s duties, Council President Pro Tempore Debbie Byers took over as council president. The transition also leaves a council seat to be filled.
Bradshaw sought to reassure residents Monday that the leadership change would not disrupt city operations.