Greene County Democrat

Tag: Mayor Cockrell

  • Eutaw City Council approves purchase of 200 new water meters to replace those that are not working properly

    The Eutaw City Council met on February 10, 2026, for its first regular meeting of the month. Mayor Cockrell and all council members were present.
    The Council approved purchase of 200 new Neptune Procorder R9000 water meters for the Water Department at a cost of $34,400 or $ 172 per meter. These meters will be used to replace meters that were installed improperly and meters that are not functioning properly. This will insure that the Water Department will be getting accurate readings and can bill residents correctly for the water they are using.
    The Council also approved $16,000 for purchase of an 8 inch UME Machid R900 water pump for the well no.4 on the Lower Gainesville Road. The pump meter had to be replaced to insure a continuing flow of water into the system. This is the type of continuing maintenance and repair that the Water Department is responsible to make and pay for out of water bill revenues.
    The Council heard from a representative of ETA Data Systems on their software to operate the Water Department billing. The Council is trying to see which software and billing system is most compatible and cost effective for their operations. It was the consensus of the Council members that both companies bring a demonstration of their system and allow the staff that will actually be using the software, to test it out and determine which will serve their needs in the best way.
    The Council voted to accept a lease addendum on property owned by the City and Long and Huffed Farms, for $3,000 annually, for the location of a Ferrell Gas Company Tank on the Lock 7 road. The details of the lease were worked out by the parties in consultation with Zane Willingham, the city’s legal counsel.
    The Council tabled action on a resolution to engage Shuyron Macon of Knight and Day Group LLC, a Houston, Texas based law firm, specializing in municipal bond financing for smaller size cities, like Eutaw, Alabama, to do a study of the economic feasibility and constraints on the city in issuing bonds to finance longer term repairs to roads, infrastructure and buildings in the city. The City’s legal counsel also had some questions and concerns about the agreement, which need to be worked out. Council members agreed to consider these issues in the next work session, which is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved Mandatory Skidcar Training for Police officers on February 23 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
    • Approved voting delegates for the Alabama League of Municipalities. Mayor Cockrell will be the Voting Delegate, Tracey Hunter will be first alternative and Carrie Logan will be second voting delegate.
    • Approved payment of bills including a revised AT&T invoice for telephone services.

    Mayor Cockrell reported that he was working on a master plan for the repair of roads, bridges and drainage in the city. He is also working on a plan to improve the buildings and infrastructure owned by the city including City Hall, Lock 7 Park, the Robert H. Young Community Center and the National Guard Armory. More information on these plans will be provided as they are developed and funds are identified and secured to finance the updating and repairs to these city owned assets and properties.

  • Eutaw City Council meets on Nov. 12 handles routine business

    The Mayor and the Eutaw City Council met for their first regular meeting since being installed and holding their organizational meeting, to consider regular business of the city. All Council members were present except for Carrie Logan, who was attending a training session for new council members.
    The Council heard from Jimmie Moore of Meridian Waste Company, which has the contract for garbage collection and disposal in Eutaw and some surrounding jurisdictions. Moore explained the cost per customer has increased by a small account. The Eutaw City Council approved the contract with Meridian Waste and will absorb the increase within the current monthly charge for residents and businesses in the city.
    The Council approved the creation of a new position of Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and City Council of Eutaw, which is Ordinance 2025-6. This Ordinance also names Joe Powell to the position of Administrative Assistant. His duties and responsibilities will be to assist the City Clerk in her administrative duties; also, to assist the Mayor and Council in preparing meeting agendas, notices, and correspondence; assist with public record and resident inquiries; and otherwise assist the Mayor and Council in other tasks as assigned. His rate of pay will be $16 per hour and benefits.
    The Council approved the salary of Kendrick Howell as Chief of Police at $60,000 annually, which is $5,000 less that the previous Chief Tommy Johnson was being paid. The Council also agreed to a $3.00 an hour increase for SheKelvia Spencer, City Clerk.
    An approval of the 2025-26 Annual Budget was tabled, to give the new Mayor and his staff a chance to review and perhaps change some of the staffing, expenses and revenues projected for the year that started on October 1, 2025, and running through September 30, 2026. A Council Work Session on the budget was scheduled for November 18, 2025. A request to purchase a new 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicle was also tabled pending the budget review.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved a request from Mayor Cockrell to enter an agreement with Diversified Computer Software to purchase trackers for all city vehicles and equipment.
    • Approved travel, registration and per diem for staff to attend training.
    • Approved for Mayor Cockrell to hold a Thanksgiving Dinner for staff and residents.
    • Approved reimbursements to staff for necessary small purchases to continue operations.
    • Approved Resolution No. 2025-27 for “Use of Social Media” by staff to carry out work requirements.
    • Approved rental of city property at $150 a day for K & S Southern Midways to hold a fair in the city at the park adjoining the Robert H. Young Community Center in Eutaw on November 14-17, 2025.
    • Approved payment of bills for the city.
    At the end of the meeting, Mayor Corey Cockrell said he had received a report from the Water Department Clerk that over $300,000 in late and unpaid water accounts were in the records. The Mayor said, “All residents and businesses in the city must get their water bills in order and paid, including city staff and council members. We should not have to carry so many late and overdue accounts, if we want to improve our city – streets, water and other infrastructure.”

  • City Council of Eutaw holds Organizational Meeting; names new police chief

    The new City Council of Eutaw met at 5:00 PM on November 3, 2025, for its Organizational Meeting. The new Mayor, Corey Cockrell presided at the meeting which was attended by all five council members. Districts 1,2, and 3 (Valerie Watkins, Jonathan Woodruff Jr. and Tracey Hunter) were represented by persons who served on the previous council, while District 4 and 5 council members Lorenzo French and Carrie Logan were newly elected and had not previously served.
    The Organizational Meeting was to set the rules and procedures for Eutaw City Council meetings, make appointments and clarify the banking and financial roles of the Mayor and Council members.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-14 for the rules of procedure for meetings of the Eutaw City Council which included quorum requirements, use of Robert’s Rules of Order, reporting, minutes, adoption of resolutions , decorum, public comments and other regulations.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-15 specifying that there will be two regular meetings per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at 5:00 PM at the Eutaw City Hall.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-16 on Banking stating that two signatures will be required on each check. Four persons are designated as signatories: Mayor Cockrell, Sha’Kelvia Spencer, City Clerk, Council members Tracey Hunter and Jonathon Woodruff.
    The Council adopted other resolutions naming Councilwoman Tracey Hunter as Mayor Pro Tempore, who will preside over meetings in the absence of the mayor; Sha’Kelvia Spencer as City Clerk; Joshua Swords as Municipal Judge; Zane Willingham as City Attorney and Municipal Prosecutor. These persons are currently serving in the same roles.
    The Council adopted Resolution 2025-20 naming Kendrick Howell as Chief of Police replacing current Chief Tommy Johnson. No information was given as the reason for the change. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 3 to 2, with new members , Lorenzo French and Carrie Logan, voting against the resolution. Bennie Abrams was re-named to his position as Fire Chief.
    Several other resolutions were adopted naming Mayor Cockrell as the Superintendent of the Water Department and a separate resolution authorizing the mayor to have a limit of up to $10,000 in discretionary spending. The resolution requires the mayor to report on discretionary spending at the next regular Council meeting.
    Due to Veterans Day falling on the second Tuesday, the next regular meeting of the Eutaw City Council will be held on Wednesday November 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM. A Eutaw Council work session will be held this Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM, to discuss pending issues and design the agenda for the November 12 meeting.