Greene County Democrat

Tag: Commission Chair Garria Spencer

  • Greene County Commission receives new equipment to patch potholes; holds meetings to approve grant proposals and other matters

    A group of five people standing together in front of a street maintenance truck with a large hopper, featuring branding and equipment. The scene takes place outdoors with power lines in the background.

    Greene County Commissioners displays new pothole patching machine.


    The Greene County Commission met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026 at the William M. Branch Courthouse in Eutaw. All Commissioners were present.
    Before the meeting began, the Commissioners looked at a new pothole patching machine that they acquired for the Highway Department at a cost of $325,500. This machine can be operated by one person instead of a crew of people and will save money in patching potholes. The machine will allow for the Department to reach many roads on a more timely basis to deal with potholes.
    At the meeting the Commissioners agreed to submit the 2026 CDBG grant proposal for $500,000 to the State of Alabama for approval and implementation. According to Assistant Engineer, John Isley, the CDBG proposal included road repair to the following roads – Barren Road, Cook Road, County Road 74, County Road 67 and Emerald Lane. The exact amount of road work that can be done will be based on actual cost, availability of 10% matching funds, and other factors.
    The Commission approved a contract for $2,800 to Standard Roofing to repair holes in the roof of the Eutaw Activity Center.
    The Commission approved a request for $5,000 to assist E-911. The Commission agreed to provide E-911 with $5,000 per quarter from the undesignated funds from the Greene County Racing Commission for pari-mutuel gaming at the Palace Entertainment Center in Knoxville, Alabama.
    The Commission approved travel expenses for the Board of Registrars to attend AABOR meeting in Orange Beach on February 26-28, 2026; they also approved travel for two Assistant Engineers to attend training in Tuscaloosa at the AVMS Annual Conference on February 24-25, 2026.
    Altheria Wilder, CFO, gave a financial report on the County’s funds as of January 31, 2026. The County has a total of $12,599,817 in funds in Citizens Trust Bank and Merchants and Farmers Bank. Of these funds: $4,676,849 are unrestricted and $7,922,968 are restricted. There is an additional total of $1 909,209 in Certificates of Deposit and investments. In January 2026, the Commission paid out $3,452,992 for payroll and bills. Another $82,794 was paid in electronic transfers for payroll taxes and retirement. All County agencies are operating close to budget projections for the first four months of the fiscal year and have close to 67% of projected budgets remaining. The Commission approved the financial report.
    At the Commission Work Session on February 4, 2026, the Commission heard a report from Rodgerick Williams, Administrator of the Greene County Health System, which includes the hospital, nursing home and physicians clinic. He said that he has been at the facility for two months and has acquired some new equipment to monitor patient vital signs, a baby warmer and renovated two rooms in the Nursing Home. With help from the County Commission in advancing tax funds has helped stabilize the finances of the Greene County Health System. Williams invited the Commissioners and the public to visit the health care facilities and use them when they are needed.
    District Attorney, Rachel England, for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Greene, Sumter and Marengo counties, came to the Work Session to request $20,000 be included in the county’s budget for a “major crimes unit” for personnel, supplies and trainings to make the unit operational. Commission Chair Garria Spencer asked the District Attorney to put her plan and request in writing for further action by the Commission.
    The Work Session also heard a presentation by Charles Gomez, contractor for revitalizing the Greenetrack facility, which is now owned by the county. Gomez suggested that $2.7 million would be needed for repairs to the facility to make it available for lease by gaming, restaurants and other businesses. The County Commission is scheduled for a site visit to Greenetrack on February 11, 2026 to see what work Gomez has done and what is still needed for the property.

  • Eutaw Mayor Corey Cockrell announces a set of community meetings for residents to raise issues and hear plans for new year

    The Eutaw City Council met for its regular meeting on the fourth Tuesday, December 23, 2025, to deal with routine business matters. The mayor and all council members, with the exception of Jonathan Woodruff, District 2, were present.
    Mayor Corey Cockrell in his Mayor’s comments announced that he would be scheduling meetings in all districts for residents to come and voice their concerns about city issues and problems. In the meetings, Mayor Cockrell said that in addition to addressing community concerns, that he would be talking about problems of littering and late payment of water bills as well as the city’s plans for 2026 and the following years.
    The first meeting will be held at the Branch Heights Community Center on January 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM. On January 21, 2026, there will be a meeting at the Eutaw Activity Center at the same time for the same purpose. A third meeting will be held on January 28, 2026, at the Eutaw City Hall for those who missed prior meetings and want to attend.
    Commission Chair Garria Spencer was present at the meeting and explained that he was there to support the work of the Greene County Ambulance Service. “The GEMS – Greene County Ambulance Service is very needed in a rural county like ours, with many aging and isolated people, who may have a medical emergency at any time. The County Commission advanced the GEMS – $88,000 to cover back bills and expenses, at its last meeting. We advanced this money to keep the ambulance service in operation, with the understanding that other entities inn the county would help the Commission to bear this expense,” said Spencer.
    Commissioner Spencer reported that the Town of Union had authorized $15,000 and that Sheriff Joe Benison had agreed to contribute $10,000 from Bingo proceeds. Spencer urged other county entities and municipalities to come forward and support the ambulance service. He said that agencies could call Ms. Vickie Colson, Chair of the Greene County Ambulance Service for more information.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
    •Approved holding a Work Session on the third Tuesday, January 20, 2026; and may hold future work sessions on the third Tuesdays at 5:00 PM.
    • Tabled action on extending a lease with Ferrellgas for a facility in the city, to seek more information.
    • Approved renewal of a contract with Pitney Bowles for a postage meter.
    • Approved registration, travel, and per diem for the Mayor, Council members and clerks to attend Alabama League of Municipalities convention, April n28- May 1, 2026, in Montgomery.
    • Approved the payment of bills.

  • Greene County Commission assists ambulance service to meet expenses and keep operating

    At a special called meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Greene County Commission responded to an urgent request from the Greene County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) for funds to pay bills, including payroll, to allow the county’s ambulance services to keep operating.
    Commission Chair Garria Spencer said, “We are responding to the Greene County Ambulance Service with an advance of $88,000 to meet back expenses. We expect GEMS to contact others, including, the county municipalities, the Sheriff, the Industrial Board, the volunteer fire departments and others for immediate support. Any money collected from other agencies should be paid to the County Commission, to reimburse for this advance. The advance will allow the ambulance service to continue operating while we seek a more permanent solution to its problems.”
    Vickie Colson, was recently chosen as Chair of the GEMS, when other members resigned. She informed the County Commission of the crisis financial problems and asked for assistance in continuing the vital work of the ambulance service in Greene County.
    Colson also informed the Commission that Chris Jones, GEMS current Executive Director, had submitted his resignation and that the board would be responsible for directing and supervising operations until a new director is found and can be placed in that position.
    Other surrounding rural counties including Sumter, Pickens and Hale have also had problems in maintaining ambulance services in a situation with isolated and aging rural populations, low reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid, and the general uncertainties of the future financial stability of rural health care, under the Trump budget cuts.
    In talking with Ms. Colson, it seems that the Greene County EMS is in need of more guaranteed revenue sources to subsidize operations and capital expenses, like maintaining and expanding the ambulance fleet. Beyond the County Commission, the municipalities, gaming, the fire departments and others will need to make annual guaranteed allocations for the ambulance services. Another possibility is to raise the advalorem milage property tax rate to support the ambulance service.
    The County Commission stepped up to the plate to assure the continuance of ambulance services in Greene County but all of us, residents of the county, businesses and industries, fire departments and others will need to stand firm in figuring a way forward for this vital and needed service.

  • Greene County Commission authorizes purchase of 3 new dump trucks and other road repair equipment

    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.

  • Greene County Commission holds routine meeting, still dealing with Water and Sewer Authority Board’s strike and request for $400 a month stipend

    Greene County Commission commends Eddie Austin for service on Greene County Hospital Board. L to R. Commissioners Summerville and Turner, Eddie Austin, commissioners Cockrell and Spencer

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    This is a report on the Greene County Commission’s work session on February 5 and regular monthly meeting on February 10, 2025. The issue of payment of a $400 a month stipend to the board of the Greene County Water and Sewer Authority, although not on the agenda for either meeting, was a major issue of discussion.

    William Morgan, Chair of the Water and Sewer Authority, was present at both meetings pushing the proposal that the Greene County Commission allow the Water and Sewer Authority to pay its five members a $400 a month stipend, which would be an annual cost of $24,000.

    Commission Chair Garria Spencer pointed out that no other boards appointed by the Commission – Hospital, Industrial Development, PARA, Library and others – receive a monthly stipend. They serve on these boards as a public service. He also said the stipend proposal had been voted down in a previous meeting and could not be on the agenda unless three Commissioners approved placing it on the agenda.

    Morgan said, “Our Board has been doing its work. We have secured $14.2 million in grants from USDA Rural Development , ADECA and ADEM for the system. We have 1,451 paying customers. We are fiscally sound and can pay the stipend. We have been paid a small stipend ($500 a year for the chair and $250 for the members) which is in our bylaws since 1982.”

    When Commissioner Roshonda Summerville asked that the issue of the stipends and another issue of purchasing the Robert H. Young Community Center from the City of Eutaw for $200,000, be placed on the regular meeting agenda, Attorney Mark Pernell advised the Commission not to consider adding either item to the agenda.

    Parnell said since the Water and Sewer Authority payment was in its by-laws, they needed to change their by-laws before requesting a resolution for an increase in pay. A simple resolution approving the increase in pay from a nominal $1,500 a year to $24,000 a year, was not the proper way to do this. Parnell indicated that he had informed the Water and Sewer Board and their attorney Barrown Lankster of this procedure, when the issue first came up. Commissioner Turner asked that he inform them and their lawyer again.

    Parnell suggested to the Commission that they had not done the due diligence to make the purchase of the Robert H. Young Community Center from the City of Eutaw. You have not had an inspection or appraisal of the
    building. You need to do some more work before you commit the funds for this project. Commissioner Spencer said he thought that rather than buying the building, the Commission should partner with the City of Eutaw, to put the funds into improving the facility, as a joint partnership for a better facility.

    This led to a discussion of a special joint meeting of the Commission and the Eutaw City Council to partner on a plan to develop the Robert H. Young (former Carver School) Community Center. Commissioner Corey Cockrell, who had been discussing this project with Eutaw Council member Jonathan Woodruff agreed to work toward a joint meeting to discuss a joint plan for the needed facility.

    In its regular meeting on February 10, 2025, the Commission approved a ten percent match on a $500,000 CDBG grant for improvements to county facilities, recommended by the Highway Department. The Commission also approved purchase of a $56,073.79 Chevrolet Suburban for the Coroner. This van will need to be modified to meet the coroner’s request. The Commission said it would approve the modifications separately to be sure they met the coroner’s requirements.

    The Commission also approved a contract with Diversified Computer Service for the installation of trackers on four new tractors, at a cost of $100 for each tractor and $20 a month for maintenance and monitoring.

    In other business, the Greene County Commission:

    • Approved travel for the Board of Registrars to attend a training in Montgomery on February 20 – 22 , 2025.
    • Approved travel for the Assistant County Engineer for Bridge and Road training on March 4, 2025, in Clanton, Alabama.
    • Approved procedures for ABC Licensing and Compliance for the year 2025.
    • Accepted the resignation of Frank Smith from the PARA Board. Did not receive a second to accept the resignation of Andre Woods from the Water and Sewer Authority.

    The Commission heard and received a financial report from Macaroy ‘Underwood, CFO, which indicated the Commission spent $ 3,354,789.67 for claims, plus $115,453.64 in electronic payments for January 2025. Most department spending was within the budget of 67% per cent of funds remaining. The balance sheet showed $8,503,929 in Citizens Trust Bank of which $3,271,089 were unrestricted and $ 5,232,839 were restricted funds. Merchants and Farmers Bank had a total of $ 3,430,157 with $ 2,057,012 in restricted funds and $ 1,373,145 in unrestricted funds. The total in deposits is $11,934,087. There are also $1,898,291 in certificates as a reserve for bonds.