The Greene County Commission has recently received a response from Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway, LL (AGR) following repeated inquiries concerning the train derailment that occurred on March 21, 2025 near Greene County Road 107. After six months and reportedly numerous attempts by the county’s engineer’s office the derailed train cars had not been removed.
On September 25, 2025, County Attorney, Mark Parnell, on behalf of the Commission, submitted a communication to Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway citing the derailed railcars are obstructing the right-of-way and posing public safety, environmental and infrastructure risks and required the following of the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway: “AGR and/or its contractors and insurers are the responsible parties for removal, remediation and all damages arising from the incident. Demand is nearby made that, within 48 hours, AGR mobilize appropriate crews and equipment to remove all derailed rolling stock, debris and spilled materials from the right-of-way and adjacent areas and provide the contact information for your on-scene incident commander and slain lead.”
On September 26, 2025, a representative of AGR communicated that the process of removal of the railcars is the responsibility of a third party and the process has begun.
Commissioner Roshanda Summerville, who represents District 5 where the trainer derailment occurred, remarked that the county has been working diligently to expedite the clean-up. “We are very concerned about school buses and other motorists that travel that route crossing the tracks daily. We need an immediate cleanup process,” she said.
The Greene County Commission held its monthly meeting Monday, August 12, 2024 with all commissioners present. Before the agenda was approved, Commissioner Roshanda Summerville requested to present amendments. The commission approved adding the following items: Consider renewing the CFO’s contract under its existing agreements; Consider adopting a resolution naming Caroline Carpenter Road one half mile from the Union City limits; Consider a resolution to approve the Rebuild Alabama Plan. The Commission acted on these items individually with all approving naming the county road Caroline Carpenter Road and adopting the resolution for Rebuild Alabama. The renewal of CFO’s contract was approved on a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Allen Turner and Corey Cockrell voting in the negative. Turner expressed concern that the existing contract should be reviewed before acting on it. CFO Macaroy Underwood expressed that he was agreeable with renewing his contract with existing terms. The status of Attorney Mark Parnell’s contract with the county was not raised at this commission meeting. The Commission accepted the resignation of David Bailey from the Water Authority Board, District 1, and approved the Commissioner Spencer’s recommendation of Barry Walker for the Board. Commissioner Summerville recommended the appointment of Donald Woods, District 5, for the Water Authority Board. Appointments to the E-911 Board were as follows: Geraldine Thompson, District 1; Johnny L Isaac, District 4. The Commission tabled a request from the E-911 Board for emergency operating funds, since an amount had not been discussed and agreed upon. At the Commission’s work session, August 7, Mr. Johnny L. Isaac, Chairperson of E-911 Board, appealed to the county for financial assistance. According to Isaac, E-911 lost $100,000 when Greenetrack had to stop disbursements. “ The state provides approximately $2,100 per month and the county awards $30,000 per year. All these funds have been depleted,” Isaac said. He noted that E-911 does not generate funds and must keep employees on the job 24/7 with six full time and two part time persons. Isaac said that at this time the operations need about $800,000. The Commission approved, as a blanket, the following items proposed by the Engineering Department: * Solicitation for consultant/engineering proposals to address bridge scour. * CDBG reimbursement for $19,000. * Use of JM Woods Auction to action/sell four tractors and three dump trucks. * Sell four tractors and bush hogs and purchase four new tractors at additional cost of approximately $40,000, totaling $160,000. * Trade three dump trucks and purchase three new dump trucks at additional cost of approximately $10,000, totaling $30,000. The Commission acted on the following items requested by the Greene County Industrial Development Authority:
The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, July 8, 2024 with all Commissioners present. As discussed in the Commission’s work session, Wednesday, July 3, Attorney Mark Parnell presented a Resolution which allowed the Commission to enlarge the board of directors of the Greene County Water and Sewer Authority from three to five members. The approved Resolution also stated that the Commission is the appointing authority for said directors, and it will be the policy of the Commission to appoint directors to the Authority so that each director will reside in each Commission district.
The three board members currently serving on the Water and Sewer Authority represent Districts 1, 3 and 4. The Commission approved the appointment of Andre Woods from District 2 to serve on the board, as recommended by Commissioner Tennyson Smith. Commissioner Roshanda Summerville moved to table her appointment from District 5. The Commission agreed.
In other business the Commission acted on the following:
* Approved the request from Judge Lillie Osborne to place a Key Pad on the District Judges’s offices.
* Approved the contract with Cook Pest Control, with the initial service costing $180 and monthly services costing $85.
Approved replacing up to five HVAC Units in the county courthouse facility.
* Approved the financial reports and payment of claims for the period ending June 30, 2024, as presented by CFO Macaroy Underwood in the following: Accounts Payable totaled $353,618.92; Payroll Transfer totaled $298,124.79; Fiduciary totaled $76,969.55; Electronic Claims paid totaled $70,648.10. Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds totaled $2,980,810.15; restricted funds totaled $4,019,473.37. Merchant & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds (bingo funds) totaled $3,089,684.04; restricted funds totaled $1,589,214.19. Investments totaled $897,970.63.
The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, October 9, 2023, with all commissioners present. The commission acted on the items discussed at the work session held Wednesday, October 4. These included the following:
* Approved County Highway Department to install storm shelter signage at each storm shelter location. Commissioner Garria Spencer stated that county residents need to know the exact location of their community storm shelter.
* Approved School Resource Officers contract.
* Approved annual contract with Digital Information for IT services and hardware maintenance.
* Approved annual contract with Digital Information for IT services and hardware maintenance for Appraisal Office.
* Approved annual contract with Harris Local Government for Revenue Commission Office.
* Approved attendance at Smart Fusion Class in Birmingham, November 2, 2023, for CFO, Administrator, and Accountants Payable personnel.
* Approved 2024 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday for February 23-25.
Approved ABC License for Soul Out Cafe.
Approved the financial report and payment of bills presented by CFO, Macaroy Underwood.
Other items discussed at the Oct. 4 work session included the County Engineer’s report relating to options for billing county garbage collection. One proposal is to let bids for an outside company to bill or the county would do billing. Seemingly it is more expensive for an outside company to bill. Currently there are 1,800 garage pick-ups. The Engineer’s office was directed to get proposals and evaluate the best approach. The commission noted that many residents are delinquent in paying their garbage pick-up bills, including some county employees.
The engineer’s office stated there are exemptions that the county is required to absorb regarding pick-up fees. The county is currently accepting exemption requests.
Mr. Luther Winn requested an extension regarding Greene County Entertainment’s rental agreement with the county. The commission seemingly will give this some consideration.
Ms. Bobbie Morgan presented a plea for the commission to repair County Road 125, Boligee, where she resides. She said the road is virtually impassable. Ms. Morgan noted that, since she lives in District 5, she has brought this to Commissioner Roshanda Summerville’s attention on previous occasions, with no results. Summerville then asked the Engineer to accompany her to visit that site on the following day and determine what could be done.
Ms. Morgan also asked for a storm shelter in Mt. Hebron. “There are many families in mobile homes who need a safe place to go when there are warnings of strong weather conditions,” she said. Commissioner Summerville responded that a storm shelter is scheduled for the SCORE Center on County Road 39.
Representatives from the University of West Alabama requested that the commission assist in getting broadband surveys completed. This will help in determining the need in the rural areas. The UWA representatives did not have sample surveys with them but will follow-up. Commissioner Spencer suggested that they consult with Ms. Phillis Belcher, CEO with the Industrial Development Authority.
CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the financial report ending September, 2023. Accounts payable totaled $469,531.87; Payroll transfer totaled $273,817.66; Fiduciary totaled $122,381.49; Total Claims paid totaled $865,731.02. Electronic claims totaled $103,240.65. Bank balances are as follows: Citizen Trust Bank – unrestricted $2,438,866.76; restricted $4,179,277.52. Merchant & Farmers Bank – unrestricted $2, 979,181.57; restricted $1,183,498.60. Bond Funds totaled $889,506.78.
The Greene County Commission met in regular session, Monday, March 13, 2023 with all commissioners in attendance.
Prior to action on the agenda items, Commissioner Garria Spencer moved to amend the agenda, however, his motion failed since there was a motion on the floor to adopt the agenda as presented. Commissioner Tennyson Smith moved and Commissioner Roshanda Summerville seconded. That motion to adopt the agenda as presented passed.
It was later learned that Commissioner Spencer’s amendment concerned the lease agreement between the county and Greene Entertainment Inc. The County Commission approved the original lease agreement at its February meeting, but the officials of Greene Entertainment Inc had concerns with a component of the agreement and had not signed the document. The commission took no further action in this regard at the meeting, however, following adjournment, seemingly, informal discussions continued.
The commission acted on the following agenda items:
* Approved replacing the roof at the public library.
* Approved advertising for a clerk for the Probate Judge’s office.
* Tabled the appointment to the IDA Board for District 1.
* Approved allowing the engineer to sell three dump trucks.
* Approved travel for the engineer and assistant engineer for class in Alexander City.
Approved amending the contract for closure of the landfill to include bonding for the contractor not to exceed $20,000, authorizing necessary signatures. The amendment also indicated the removal of taxes not applicable to the county, generating a saving of approximately $17,000.
CFO Macaroy Underwood presented the financial report indicating the following bank balances as of February 23, 2023. Citizen Trust Bank – 5,448,624.44 of which $3,385,804.55 is restricted; Merchants & Farmers Bank – $6,513,733.82 of which $3,127,929.27 is restricted; Bond Funds Investment – $877,979.73; Accounts payable including payroll transfer and fiduciary – $651,795.36; Electronic claims paid – $84,708.23. Underwood reported that in the General Fund Budget Recap, 66% of funds remained.
The commission approved the finance report, then realized that the payment of claims was not listed on the agenda. County Attorney Mark Parnell advised the commission to reconsider action on the finance report. A new motion was offered to accept the finance report including payment of claims. The motion carried.
LaPorsha Brown, her daugther Peyton Brown and District Judge Lillie Jones OsborneLinette Brown, LaPorsha Brown, her daugther Peyton Brown and District Judge Lillie Jones Osborne
The Greene County Commission opened its March 14, 2022 meeting with newly sworn-in Commissioner LaPorsha Brown representing District 1. Ms. Brown was appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to fill the unexpired tern of the late Mr. Lester Brown, LaPorsha’s father. LaPorsha was sworn in Friday, March 11 by Greene County District Judge Lillie Jones Osborne, and will serve until the new commissioner for District 1 is selected in the General Election in November. Ms. Brown also followed in her Father’s role as she was selected to serve as Vice Chairperson of the Commission. She received three votes for vice chair and Commissioner Roshanda Summerville received two votes. The commission approved option one relative to the Greenetrack settlement on past due rent to the county for use of its share of Greenetrack property. The settlement resolution calls for $800,000 to be paid to the county by Greenetrack in five annual installments of $160,000. The specific payment plan requires an annual payment of $260,000 with $160,000 toward repayment of past rent and $100,000 in current rent payment. This rental settlement is for two years followed by a renegotiation of the current rental payment amount only. The commissioners approved the settlement on a four to one vote with Commissioner Corey Cockrell voting no. Commission Chairperson, Allen Turner, stated that he has signed the Resolution agreement and now Greenetrack’s CEO and President, Luther Winn, must sign for it to go into effect. The county’s Roads Department capital funding project received unanimous approval by the commissioners as well as the Franchise Agreement with Charter Communications regarding broadband services in the county. At the work session held March 9, the commission was informed by Robert Smith Charter Communications that the federal government is financing the broad band in specific areas of Greene County. The franchise agreement is needed for the right-of-way, which will provide a 5% feee to the county when the project is operating. Once the network is in, it will be possible to extend the service to other areas of the county. The commission approved a Positive Pay arrangement for all bank accounts assuring that only listed checks will be paid. An Employee Association bank account, which was dormant with a minimal balance, will be closed with the funds to be deposited in the general fund account. The commission approved establishing a rainy day fund and a public works fund with $500,000 from bingo monies allocated to each fund. The commission also adopted a Fund Balance Policy requiring reserve funds. This policy was approved with four votes for; commissioner Corey Cockrell voted no. In the commission’s recent work session the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were discussed, noting that the county has $204,646.78 remaining and an additional $787,733.50 allocated. The commission approved a plan for expending these funds which include the following: Each commission district would be allocated up to $100,000 for qualified ARPA projects; $300,000 to the Highway Department; $150,000 for Essential Worker Pay; approximately $5,000 each to the Activity Center and the Highway Department for multi media upgrades; Approximately $10,000 each for Courthouse and Activity Center bathroom renovations. Remaining funds to be allocated later. The commission approved a request from the Greene County Board of Education for an agreement that the county will turn over to the board moneys from millage taxes already prescribed to the board. CSFO, Macaroy Underwood presented the commission an update on FY 2022 refunding bonds cited below.
County Refunds Bonds, Saving $336,000 Greene County Commission approved its Series 2022 Refunding Bonds in the par amount of $3,655,000 to refund its Series 2007 Bonds generating a savings of $336,316.81 or 8.72% savings. Several weeks ago, the county authorized Piper Sandler & Co. and finance to review current market conditions to determine if the county’s outstanding debt could be refunded (refinanced) at a lower interest rate to save more than 3%. This process is similar to refinancing your home mortgage and it leads to issuance of the County’s Series 2022 Refunding bonds reducing the county’s annual debt service payments by $50,000 per year from 2023 through 2037 (over the remaining life of the bonds). The annual debt service payments are secured by Road & Bridge Ad Valorem Tax and Capital Improvement fund revenue; therefore, the county will have additional funds for road projects over the next 14 years.
Shown above Nursing Director, Lakesha Jones-Gill, Commissioner Roshanda Summerville, CEO Dr. Marcia Pugh, Ollie Braggs, Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr. and Chair of the Greene County Hospital Board, John Zippert.
The Greene County Health System held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, October 24, 2019 for a newly renovated and equipped Emergency Room area in its Hospital facility.
Ollie Braggs, the first patient served by the Greene County Hospital on November 20, 1961, received the honor to cut the ribbon on the new area.
Dr. Marcia Pugh, CEO of the Greene County Health System thanked the people for taking time to attend the open house and ribbon cutting. She thanked the Greene Ladies, women’s auxiliary for their dedicated volunteer service, the staff, the Board of Directors, the GCHS Foundation and others in the community for their help and support. She also thanked members of the helicopter health transfer service who were present for their work and support.
John Zippert, Chair of the GCHS Board also thanked those in attendance, including three county commissioners – Tennyson Smith, Allen Turner and Roshanda Summerville for attending. He spoke about the GCHS services including the 20-bed hospital, 72 beds Nursing Home – Residential Care Center and the Physicians Clinic.
In relation to the ribbon cutting, Zippert stressed that “Our Emergency Room and services will help to stabilize you in case of an accident, stroke, heart attack or other injury. Come to our facility first, let us restore your vital signs, stop bleeding and decide what kind of additional care you need and send you on by ambulance or helicopter to another health care facility. Many people have come to our emergency facilities first; and had their lives saved so they could be transferred to other places.”
Zippert reminded the audience that there are many health care services available at and through GCHS, including Medicare 21 day recuperation at the end of a hospital stay, physical and occupational therapy, X-ray, CT-scan, lab testing and many others. “You have to speak up and ask to come back and use GCHS services even if you are somewhere else. The choice is yours. But if we do not use the services of our health system – then we will surely loose them.”
Zippert also suggested that supporters of the GCHS need to be pushing the Governor and their legislators to approve Medicaid Expansion, to provide health insurance for the working poor. “Expanding Medicaid would do a lot to improve the financial outlook of our small rural hospital and many others around the state,” he said.
Ms. Braggs said she was a 16 year old first time mother trying to give birth at home in Boligee, with the aid of a midwife when complications developed. Dr. Bethany’s wife came to check on her and she got her husband Dr. Bethany and Dr. Joe P. Smith to admit her to the newly constructed Greene County Hospital in November of 1961 She gave birth to her son, Hubert Lewis, on November 20, 1961 and they were the first patients and baby born in the facility. Dr. William Fredericks assisted in the birth.
GCHS presented Ms. Braggs with a fruit basket in recognition of her place in the history of the facility. The newly renovated Emergency Room suite consists of four rooms on a corridor, equipped with ‘crash carts’ and other medical devices and supplies. The area is interconnected with X-ray, the CT scanner, laboratory and other diagnostic tools to help determine your health status.
