The Greene County Commission held a work session and regular monthly meeting on last Wednesday, July 9, 2025. All five commissioners were present for the meeting.
In the work session, most of the discussion was centered on Assistant County Engineer Calvin Culliver’s requests for purchase of new equipment for road repair work in the county. Culliver suggested selling three dump trucks owned by the County and buying three new dump trucks. Since the equipment is relatively new, it will have a good resale value, but also the County will acquire new trucks, which will require lower maintenance and repair costs.
The Commission approved a similar financial arrangement to purchase the current dump trucks, two years ago. This purchase will require the Commission to advance $750,000 from its $1.9 million Bingo General Fund for the purchase of new trucks and then reimburse the bingo funds from the sale of the current trucks. This arrangement to purchase and sell three dump trucks was approved in the regular Commission meeting following the work session.
Assistant Engineer Culliver requested purchase of a new lowboy tractor for $194,000 to transport equipment to work sites. The County will sell its current lowboy tractor as part of this transaction. Culliver requested purchase of three new pickup trucks for the Highway Department at a cost of $44,700 each. The existing pickup trucks some as old as a 1998 model will also be sold. The Commission approved these purchases in its regular meeting following the work session.
In the work session, the County Highway Department requested rental of a Track-hoe with a mulcher attachment for dealing with fallen trees along the roadways. This equipment can be rented for $7,500 per month. The engineer felt he could recover some of the cost by charging other municipalities for use of the equipment after storms. He also anticipates lower cost for dumping of the mulched materials, which can be spread along the side of the road, rather than finding a landfill for disposal of tree limbs. The Track-hoe rental was also approved in the regular meeting.
CFO Mac Underwood estimated that the total impact of the equipment purchases and sales would reduce the Bingo General Fund resources from $1.9 to $1,6 million. Commissioner Allen Turner pointed out that this arrangement could not continue forever without replenishing the reserve fund.
The Commission recognized Charlie Gomez, who was in the audience, to consider his request for changes in his contract to lease the old Greenetrack facilities. Gomez requested a name change on the agreement for his corporation to Iron Wolf Media LLC. He also requested some changes in the contract language to allow for sub-leasing. In the regular meeting, the Commission agreed to the name change and authorized its attorney, Mark Parnell, to negotiate the language on subleases.
The Commission reviewed and approved a contract with Digital Information Systems for computers and program applications, for 2025-26 fiscal year. The Commission also agreed to add to the agreement and install a new telephone system upgrade for a Voice Over IP System at a cost of $1,755 per month, which is slightly higher than the current cost of $1,650 a month for the current outdated system.
The Commission heard a request from George Poindexter of IM Farms, a licensed medical cannabis raising and processing operation, located in the county, that needed help in establishing a “public improvement district” to support and expand its operations. Due to the proprietary nature of the company’s operation and plans, the Commission met with Pointdexter in an Executive Session. Commission Chair Garria Spencer said no formal action was taken on the request in the Executive Session.
In other actions, the County Commission:
• Approved request from the Town of Union for use of voting machines for the August 26,2025 municipal election.
• Approved report from the Revenue Commission on 2024 operations to be submitted to the State of Alabama.
• Approved FY2026 County Rebuild Alabama Contractors Report.
• Approved travel for Assistant County Engineers to attend the ACCA Convention in Perdido Beach, August 19-21, 2025.
• Re-appointed Joe Powell to the Greene County Housing Authority Board from District 3 and tabled the appointment to the DHR Board from this district.
• Heard a request, in the public comments section of the meeting from Eula Morton, for the creation of a mechanism to raise funds for senior citizens activities in relation to the senior feeding program at Eutaw and Forkland.
CFO Mac Underwood presented a financial report which showed as of June 30, 2026, the Greene County Commission had $3,539,139 in Unrestricted funds and $7,777,708 in Restricted funds on hand in local banks. The County also has $1,900,285 in reserve funds invested in certificates of deposit. For the month of June 2025, the County spent $1,544,644 for expenses including payroll. Another $92,057 was expensed in electronic transfers for employee taxes and retirement.
Tag: CFO Mac Underwood
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Commission raises concerns about maintenance and accessibility of storm shelters
The Greene County Commission met in a work session, Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm. This is the opportunity for each commissioner to report on and/or raise issues and concerns relative to their districts. Concerns were raised about the upkeep of the various storm shelters throughout the county. The commissioners agreed that each community needs to keep its shelter clean and ready for use when severe weather warnings are issued. They directed that each shelter be maintained and inspected on a monthly basis and reported to the commission.
Other concerns raised related to the PARA Board and it’s operations. The Greene County Park And Recreation Authority is funded by ad valorem taxes, but seemingly the commission is not apprised of its various activities. It was also noted that the PARA Board is not holding regular meetings. Commission Chair, Garria Spencer, agreed to contact PARA Director Frank Smith and set a meeting with the commission.
As part of his financial report, CFO Mac Underwood informed the commission that a Positive Pay procedure has been put in place, which will inform the banks of checks written before the checks are processed by that bank. “This is another measure to help eliminate fraud,” Underwood said.
Commissioner Spencer informed the body that the former Greenetrack, Inc. has turned over its half ownership of the physical properties which were co-owned by Greenetrack, Inc. and Greene County, however the State of Alabama still has a lien on part of that property. “These are issues we still need to resolve,” Spencer stated.
At its regular meeting, held Monday, January 13, 2025, the County Commission toke the following action.
Approved financial report and payment of claims.
Approved purchase of a full page ad in the Democrat’s annual Black History Edition.
Approved extending solid waste exemption period until January 21, 2025.
Approved various conference travel for Highway Department personnel.
Approved Daryl Jones for IDA – District 5.
Approved Lucy Spann for Hospital Board – District 1.
Approved Pinnina Hines for Hospital Board – District 5.
Approved Pastor Michael Barton for Hospital Board – District 4.
Approved Cila Morrow for Library Board.
Approved Pastor Carolyn Branch for DHR Board – District 4.
The CFO’s financial report for December, 2024 included the following. Accounts payable totaled $941,064.29; payroll transfer totaled $498,064.27; fiduciary totaled $243,284.08; electronic claims paid totaled $141,941.25. Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds – $892,559.44; restricted funds – $4,650,770.29. Merchant & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds – $2,085,329.52; restricted funds – $2,141,194.90. Investments and CD’s totaled $1,897,871.16. -
Greene County Commission deals with routine business at regular September 9, 2024 meeting
At its regular meeting on September 9, 2024, the Greene County Commission reviewed and passed a number of routine business items.
The Commission approved the extension and renewal of a variety of contracts, including the Alabama Department of Youth Service, for dealing with detention of youth offenders; the ACCA Workmen’s Compensation Self Insurance Fund; and the CIMS contract for soft wear at $750 a month for the
Greene County Highway Department.The Commission also approved the 2025 Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for February 21-23, 2025, which exempts certain needed item from taxation for that designated weekend.
The Commission also approved several requests from the Greene County Highway Department:
• Agreed to purchase a new garbage truck for $268,394, based on a budgetary plan for trading in used equipment for new vehicles;
• Clean up scrap and garbage on County Road 210, outside of Boligee;
• Approved advertising for an Assistant Superintendent; and
• Approved travel for the County Engineer to attend the Alabama Road Safety Conference on October 15-17, 2024, in Gulf Shores, Alabama.The Commission accepted the low bid of $105,020 from Just Rite Heating and Cooling, for HVAC units at the County Courthouse. The Commission also accepted the low bid of $32,500, from M & H Construction Company for replacement of doors at the Eutaw Activity Center.
The Commission received and accepted a report from CFO Mac Underwood on the financial status of the Commission as of August 31, 2024, the eleventh month of the fiscal year. The Commission has $2,848,852 in unrestricted funds and $3,676,857 in restricted funds deposited with Citizens Trust Bank. In Merchants and Farmers Bank, the Commission has $3,088,151 in unrestricted bingo funds and $1,723,584 in restricted funds. The total unrestricted funds are $5,937,004 and $ 5,400,442 in restricted funds. The Commission also has $899,569 in bond sinking funds.
For the month of August, the Commission spent a total of $803,667 and an additional $71,057 in electronic claims. All the departmental budgets are in line with the budget as of August 31, 2024.
A separate report was presented on the use of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding given to the County, showing $67,790 in unexpended funds.
On the report there is a note that the E-911 Board requested additional operating funds and that the Greene County Industrial Development Authority requested funds for building renovations. All the ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of this calendar year. -
County Commission deals
with financial matters
Rev. James Carter
1961– 2022Rev. James Carter, a former Greene County Commissioner
District 4 passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022, after a
long illness.Carter was honored earlier that same day with a benefit program
to raise funds to help his family with expenses. Members of the Eta Mu Sigma
Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Paramount Class of 1979, members of churches
he pastored and others supported the program.Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:00 PM at
Carver School gymnasium.The Greene County Commission held a special meeting on March 31 and its regular monthly meeting on April 11, 2022 to mostly deal with and approve financial matters.
The special meeting was called to approve a refunding of the county’s bond issue for construction of the William McKinley Branch Courthouse and the Jail. There are 15 years left on the 2007 warrants, with a balance of $3,855,000 remaining, with an interest rate of 4.61%, after the February 2022 annual payment.
The bonds were refinanced by PiperSandler Investment Corporation, at 2.99% for remaining 14 years of the warrants from February 2023 to February 2037. The county will realize a net savings of $339,263 on the transaction (around $25,000 per year), which includes payment of issuance and placement fees and restoration of the bond warrants fund. Walter Lewis, a former University of Alabama quarterback, represented the company and secured placement of the bonds at a more favorable interest rate.
At the April 11 regular meeting, CFO Mac Underwood reported that the bond refinancing had been completed as of April 5, 2022, at the rates promised.
At the start of the April 11 meeting, the Commission observed a moment of silence to honor the late Rev. James Carter, who had served as a commissioner for District 4 in the past.
CFO Mac Underwood provided a financial report as of March 22, 2022, which showed $6,627,903 in various accounts in Citizens Trust Bank, $4,981,946 in Merchants and Farmers Bank and several certificates in Robertson Bank for a total of $11,971,738, plus an additional amount for the county’s bond fund in the Bank of New York. He also presented a report showing $640,650 in claims and payroll for March and $138,000 in electronic payments for taxes and retirement funds.
All agencies including the General Fund and Sheriff’s Department are in line with the budget and have spent around half of their budget funds by this mid-point in the fiscal year which began October 1st. Underwood recommend an increase of $14,500 in the Coroner’s budget due to high cost for transportation for people who died from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission approved the financial reports, payment of claims and the budget amendment.
The Commission heard a report from County Engineer, Willie Branch, and approved his recommendations, including:
• Awarding a bid of $197,715 to ST Bunn Construction for Project No. RA-GCP 01-02-2022 for spot leveling and patch county roads.
• Awarding a bid of $549,735 to ST Bunn Construction for Project No. RA-GCP – 01 -01-2022 for patching multiple sections of CR 117,120 and 154.
• Approving a Memorandum of Agreement with ALDOT regarding federal exchange funds.• Approving a proposal from JM Wood Auction for sale of equipment at the June action and declaring that equipment as surplus.
The Commission also acted on a request from Phillis Belcher, Executive Director of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority (GCIDA), agreeing to serve as a co-applicant for EDA, Infrastructure Appropriations and Broadband grants for 2022-2023, including a proposal to repair transportation network roads in the Crossroads of America Industrial Park and Port.
The Commission tabled a request from the GCIDA for improvements to its office building on the Courthouse Square, across from Eutaw City Hall. The GCIDA and the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce jointly lease this building, for a nominal amount, from the County Commission. Commission Chair Turner requested a meeting with the GCIDA and Chamber of Commerce to consider sharing the cost of these expenses for the building.
At the Special Meeting on March 31, 2022, the Commission adopted a resolution to ask its attorney Mike Parnell to request an opinion from the State Attorney General on the use of county facilities, like the Courthouse and Eutaw Activity Center for “political meetings”. In the public comments section of the meeting, John Zippert, Democrat Co-Publisher, asked why an AG’s opinion was needed for a practice of using public buildings for political meetings, that Greene County had been implementing for fifty years.
Attorney Parnell said that he wanted to be sure it was legal to use county-owner facilities for political meetings. Zippert asked if the decision would be available before the May 24th Primary Election. Parnell said he hoped to have the decision before the November general election.
All Commissioners were present either in person or on the phone for both meetings,
except that Commissioner Corey Cockrell was absent for both meetings.