By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Project Mayfield and high gas prices were two major topics of discussion at Tuesday’s Autauga County Commission meeting as well as other important county business but one thing that wasn’t prominent, was any contentious confrontation with members of the public.
In several previous commission meetings, members of the public have come forward with concerns and questions regarding the use of American Rescue Plan funds and paving county roads, but Tuesday was a relatively quiet get-together.
After approving meeting minutes, invoices, and the Consent Docket, the commissioners discussed the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which is set for July 15-17, 2022.
Resolution #2022-19, which was to vacate the property at Jesse Samuel Hunt Blvd, was also approved.
Next was a resolution, the topic of which was also taken up by the Prattville City Council the same night, and which was a project agreement with James Hardie Building Products Inc., known also as Project Mayfield.
Project Mayfield involves the expansion of the James Hardie facility and which will provide an additional $400 Million Investment and 200 additional jobs to make the Prattville facility the largest James Hardie plant worldwide.
Both the city council and the county commission voted to approve the project.
Next on the list of agenda items were several topics related to the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, including the purchase of Spillman/Motorola hardware and software for inmate tracking within the jail in the amount of $37,304.11. The equipment was to be paid for with funds received for state inmate housing reimbursed through the CARES Act.
Also on the list of measures related to the Sheriff’s Office were the following:
–Approval to submit bids for a four-door, 4×4, ½ ton pick-up truck for Animal Control
–Approval to amend line item 001-52100-212 (fuel and lube) in the amount of $32,000 (due to increased fuel cost)
–Approval to hire Jeff Bert, Part-time Civil Process Server, Grade 6: Step 3
–Approval to transfer Amanda Porath from Animal Control to Deputy Sheriff
–Approval to transfer Justin Holt from Deputy Sheriff to Animal Control
–Approval of a one-year, one-step pay increase for satisfactory service to Sadina Reno, Desk Clerk
For the Animal Control Department, several budget adjustments were also approved.
The approval of the resignation of Martevion George, Part-time Jailer, was also addressed and approved.
Although Probate Judge Kim Kervin was not present at the commission meeting, the following three items were approved:
–Approval of Probate Office 2022 Election Supplemental Pay to be paid out on June 10, 2022
–Approval to accept the resignation of Jolie Gray, License Clerk
–Approval to advertise to hire a License Clerk to replace Jolie Gray
For the Rural Transportation Department, several items were on the agenda including the approval to amend a budget item due to a check from ACCA Insurance, the approval of another budget adjustment for $14,460 from 56900-272 to 551, the approval of the FY2023 5311 grant application and the approval of the FY2023 Title VI Program.
Two residents from District 5, Jack Morgan and Jackie Speigner, were on the agenda to address the commission but neither of them were ready to speak at the time.
John Mark Davis, County Engineer, stood before the commission as several items were discussed.
The retirement of David Rawlinson, Mechanic, was approved as well as the hiring of Eugene Reeves, Laborer 1, Grade 2: Step 1, the hiring of Kathy Causey Pickering, Laborer 1, Grade 2: Step 1 and the hiring of Courtney Grafton, Truck Driver, Grade 3: Step 3.
A measure, which will approve the replacement of a cross drain on N. Taylor Street at Autaugaville High School was approved and will be reimbursed by the Town of Autaugaville.
The following budget items were also adjusted:
–$54,000 from 113 (salaries) to 212 (fuel)
–$1,545.58 from 192 (other professional services) to 234 (vehicle repair)
–$700 from 192 (other professional services) to 265 (registration)
–$500 from 541 (office equipment) to 265 (registration)
–$500 from 225 (equipment rental) to 211 (office supplies)
–$500 from 225 (equipment rental) to 262 (mileage)
The following budget items were amended:
–$50,000 to 212 (fuel)
–$20,000 to 213 (building materials)
–$28,000 to 232 (construction equipment repair)
Davis told commission members that gas prices and particularly diesel prices were rising and that was the reason for the $54,000 budget adjustment.
“We just don’t know what gas prices are going to do,” he said. “We’re hoping it gets us pretty close but right at the end of the budget year, we may have to reevaluate.”
Following a few more brief comments, the meeting was adjourned.
