For his fourth and often bruising campaign for mayor of Birmingham, the Jefferson County Commissioner defeated  runoff opponent Patrick Cooper to  fill the remaining 22 months of Larry Langford’s term.

Today, Bell meets with police chief A.C. Roper at the mayor-elect’s home.

Bell tells me he is securing commitments from the private sector to gather the “best financial minds” to review and advise him about the state of the city’s finances.

“Our cash flow issue is something we need to address,” Bell told me this morning on FOX6 News Good Day Alabama.

“Birmingham is on sound financial ground,” Bell insists, “we have a surplus across the board.”

Bell faces concerns however about an estimated $20 million shortfall in the current budget. It is a concern first expressed by then-interim mayor Carole Smitherman following Langford’s conviction, then interim-mayor Roderick Royal. Royal addressed the issue, short-term and long-term, in a Plan of Action released last week. Bell tells me he will review the document, but will not be “bound” by it.

Bell expects answers concerning finances to come within the next two to three months. Then, he expects to launch efforts on “Big Ticket” projects, both old and new.

By this time next year, Bell hopes to have the city’s Fair Park revitalization project accomplished.

“That can bring economic progress to the western part of the city,” he says.

Bell has told reporters he supports the project to build a “multi-purpose facility”, or domed stadium, in downtown Birmingham. That has been an on-again-off-again proposition for the city.

Bell says city finances, education and job creation will be the foundation of his work. Watch the full interview here.

As for his commission seat, Bell plans to resign once votes in the mayor’s race are certified in about a week. The vacancy raises new questions about who will replace Bell on the commission. When Larry Langford was elected to the commission in 2007, Gov. Bob Riley appointed retired general George Bowman to the position. The county’s election commission challenged his authority and called a special election. Bell, then a Birmingham city councilman, defeated Bowman easily. A legal dispute between the appointment and the election created questions for much of 2008.

Bell tells me the governor can appoint a replacement to the commission to serve out the remainder of his term.

All five commission seats will be on November’s ballot.

Rick Journey

Who has supporters with the “fire in the belly” to get to the polls?

The answers to those questions could provide the answer to today’s runoff vote for Birmingham’s next mayor. Right now, political observers expect a narrow margin of victory.

The December 8th frontrunner, attorney turned political activist Patrick Cooper, tells FOX6 News he is encouraged by the signs he sees today.

“People who have been coming to the polls have said the reason they are coming out is they want to see some change,” Cooper says, “they’re tired of the same faces, same names creating the same results.”

Sticking to his familiar themes, Cooper urged a vote against the “status quo.” Cooper says he will spend most of the day going from polling place to polling place, shaking voters hands and thanking them for their support.

“People get out and vote when they want to see change…we represent fresh ideas and a fresh approach to the city.”

William Bell sees it differently.

“You can’t be mayor if you are talking the city down,” Bell says, taking a shot at Cooper’s rhetoric.

“We are talking the city up and not only that, but talking about what we are going to do in the future,” the veteran Birmingham politician says.

Bell appeared with his wife this morning at the Legion Field polling site. He plans to spend the day “knocking on doors” and urging voters to support him.

Plenty of people expect a larger turnout than the December vote (24%). So far, campaign workers say turnout seems very similar to that December vote. Numbers dwindled as rain moved in late in the day then. With clear weather, the campaigns expect turnout to hold steady.

Birmingham Southern College political science professor Natalie Davis says “this will be close.” Watch her interview on Good Day Alabama this morning here.

Just don’t expect him to give a “shout out” to that candidate.

This morning on FOX6 News Good Day Alabama, Mayor Royal detailed recommendations listed in his Plan of Action for the next mayor.

Jefferson County Commissioner William Bell and attorney-turned-community-activist Patrick Cooper will be on the ballot in Tuesday’s runoff.

“I obviously have my personal choice fixed already in my mind,” Royal tells me.

“I think it will be best to just  say we will work with whomever the voters ultimately send to City Hall. I think that’s a responsible thing. I think that’s an accountable thing.” Watch those comments at 3:57 here.

As for his Plan of Action, the candidates obviously are too busy with the final days of this campaign to talk with the man residing in the Mayor’s Office.

Royal has not heard from either one.

He expects a meeting once the runoff is decided.

*A reminder: you can watch Bell and Cooper debate live, online tonight at 9pm on FoxAlabamaLive.com

Rick Journey