Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, the Prattville City Council convened to address a range of local matters.
Bill Gillespie, Mayor of Prattville, started with a report summarizing his activities, initiatives, and local updates since the last meeting.
He began by announcing that the Prattville Fire Department had 11 of its students, along with two from Montgomery Fire and Rescue, begin paramedic school this week. Additionally, four other students are earning their certifications at various schools across the state.
“This education is vital to the future protection of our city and those who live, work, and play here,” said Gillespie.
Training will continue across city departments, according to Gillespie. In early September, the Prattville Police Department will host an investigative course on financial crimes geared toward patrol officers. More than 38 officers from across Alabama have already registered to attend.
Later in the month, the Prattville Fire Department will host a swift water rescue training, filling a class of 25 firefighters from around the state.
“Most of the individuals attending these trainings will lodge, shop, and dine in the Prattville area,” said Gillespie. “These classes are not only helping make Prattville safer, but they are also creating a positive economic impact.”
Beyond training efforts, Gillespie reported that infrastructure projects are also moving forward. This week, the City of Prattville is partnering with ALDOT to extend and improve the right-turn lane from Main Street onto Highway 31, aiming to ease congestion and improve traffic flow.
Meanwhile, parking lot improvements at Stanley Jensen Stadium are underway and scheduled to be completed before next week’s Friday night football game.
“Everything should be painted and highly identifiable,” said Gillespie. “We are trying to maximize parking, and this should be adding way more than 100 additional parking spots.”
Gillespie also informed councilors that he would like to revisit Project Prattville 2040, the city’s comprehensive master plan designed to guide growth and community improvements.
“There have been a lot of challenges and changes since the pandemic when this plan was adopted,” Gillespie said. “I think we need to set aside some budget for advertisement and updating this plan.”
Next week, Congressman Palmer will visit Prattville to tour the James Hardie manufacturing facility, a trip that will likely take him across the city’s recently constructed bridge, Gillespie explained.
The bridge, which required the city to borrow funds, still carries an outstanding balance of approximately $1.3 million. However, Gillespie emphasized that it has already proven to be one of Prattville’s strongest investments—alongside the sewer line to Exit 179 and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
“This is a powerful example of how targeted, strategic investments build long-term value for our community,” Gillespie said.
After the mayor finished his report, councilors began voting on items listed on their agendas.
The next regularly scheduled Prattville City Council meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. back at their chambers inside City Hall.
For more information, a full recording of the meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4kmon79Q78&list=PLGmBaZToEEGaN2WNFNrJXqzuh7mEJjzA_.
