Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga County Commission had numerous updates from throughout the county Tuesday evening for the regularly scheduled County Commission meeting, including updates from Autauga County Schools Superintendent Lyman Woodfin, Sheriff Mark Harrel and the presence of Autauga County Probate Judge Kim Kervin.
Superintendent Woodfin presented a report from the Autauga County Board of Education regarding the funding Autauga County Schools has previously received from the County Commission.
Woodfin stated that part of the job of being superintendent is being transparent with funds. Autauga County Schools is one of the least funded school systems in the state of Alabama, Woodfin confirmed, which he also alluded to as to why this funding from the Commission is so important for the district.
Woodfin publicly thanked the County Commission for being a partner with Autauga County Schools.
“We’ve been using the funds to improve education opportunities for all students throughout the district. For example, I signed one today for the Future Business Leaders of America, FBLA, for a state competition, and these funds will benefit all those kids participating in Autauga County,” Woodfin said.
Other ventures these funds are helping to cover within Autauga County Schools are extracurricular activities, such as sports uniforms and equipment, matching grants from the various schools within Autauga County and helping to offset funds that can burden parents and students.
“Moving forward we want to use this for different expenses that pop up. Anything that we can do to offset the costs for the parents or the kids, is what we want to use these funds for, to be fair and ethical across the county,” Woodfin said.
Sheriff Mark Harrel also gave an update on the recent Sheriff’s Rodeo that was held last weekend in Autaugaville, stating both Friday and Saturday nights were packed. Saturday, the venue sold out.
However, what stood out to Harrel was the opening performance for Autauga County second graders.
Every second grader in Autauga County was invited to the arena Friday for a small rodeo performance just for them. Over 17 buses of Autauga County second graders attended the field trip during school hours.
“That was a great experience for me. We had a full arena of screaming kids and it was the most wonderful thing I think I’ve ever seen in my life. It warmed my heart seeing them being involved and fired up, and I apologize to those teachers for when they got back on the bus. I appreciate the citizens, sponsors and the help of the County Commission. This really helps put back funds into the department,” Harrell said.
In other business, the County Commission hired Rico Mykell Hardnett as Autauga County mental health/transport and court officer, effective February 19th.
“This is something that’s truly needed in our sheriff’s department. It’s not always someone doing something bad, it could be that someone couldn’t afford their medication and having somebody that’s trained and can train other officers is huge for our county,” Chairman Jay Thompson said.
Sheriff Harrell went on to praise the Autauga County Commission stating that it’s been excellent to work with the commission on numerous matters including this mental health deputy and the rodeo. The Commission amended the agenda and “suspended” the rules for Feb 24th -March 1st of 2025 for the Autauga County Sheriff’s Rodeo to be held again at the Kirkpatrick Arena in Autaugaville next year.
Autauga County Probate Judge Kervin was also present during the commission meeting as the County Commission approved over 10 workers for the primary election, on election night.
During the public comment portion of the meeting many members of Read Freely Alabama and members opposing spoke to the Commission members in regard to the library board and its appointment of members. Both sides of the argument were represented within the public comment portion of the meeting.
All other resolutions were adopted.
