By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

HOOVER — Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos plans to accept the Jefferson County Commission’s offer to be the county’s first manager, he said Sept. 7.

“Jefferson County is in need of a county manager,” he said. “They need someone that understands the political dynamics of local government.”

After Petelos interviewed with the Jefferson County Commission the morning of Sept. 7, Commission President David Carrington said Petelos would be offered the job at the commission’s Sept. 13 meeting.

Petelos said he feels he will leave the city of Hoover in better shape than when he first became mayor.

“In the city of Hoover, we’re doing extremely well. We’re in good shape financially, we’re continuing to grow our reserve account,” he said. “We’re slowly pulling out of this economic downturn. We don’t have any major issues here.”

Before Petelos begins as the Jefferson County manager Oct. 1, the city of Hoover will pass its next budget. Once Petelos officially steps down as mayor, the city council will vote on an interim mayor to serve the rest of Petelos’ term, which will end in 2012.

Petelos said he has been inundated with calls from citizens.

“Most people are very supportive of me taking on this new challenge, but they hate to see me leave the city of Hoover,” he said, adding he will “definitely” remain a Hoover resident.

Petelos said Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock will be an invaluable resource as he starts his new job.

“He’s done an excellent job in bringing Shelby County to where it is today,” Petelos said of Dudchock.