The Greene County Democrat

Tag: West Alabama Regional Commission

  • County commission discusses budget proposal and hazard mitigation plans

    County commission discusses budget proposal and hazard mitigation plans

    By Maya Quinn, editor

    The Greene County Commission met for a work session on Wednesday, September 9th, and for a regular session on Monday, September 14th. The meetings centered around plans for infrastructure improvements, safety plans, and budget planning for the upcoming year.

    Registered Municipal Financial Advisor Mac Underwood presented the proposed budget for 2026-2027. At the end of August, the county’s unrestricted funds were as follows: $213, 144.27 at Citizens Bank and $690,792.33 at Merchants and Farmers. Underwood explained that the county’s health insurance rate and workers’ compensation had increased, with health insurance costing $10,700 per employee per year. He also noted in the budget that $265,000 from the racing commission funds was dedicated to highway department projects and vehicle maintenance. 

    Underwood expressed concerns regarding a lack of communication from the Sheriff’s Department on financial agreements with the commission. Presently, the commission is helping supplement 3 months of income for SROs (student resource officers) for $257,143, with the promise of reimbursement. The Sheriff has not come forth to the commission to discuss the agreement although they have reached out on numerous occasions.

    Commissioners have yet to reach a decision regarding an increase on solid waste fees. The current budget outlines that expenses to run solid waste are approximately $600,000 and income is only at $300,000. The commission decided to discuss matters further during a called meeting on Monday, September 21st. 

    Kathy Gregory and engineer, Dennis Strickland, from the West Alabama Regional Commission attended the meeting with a proposal for a Safety Action Plan. The goal of the plan is to assess Greene County’s road safety data, traffic accidents, and other road hazards to decrease injuries and mortality rates. The key features of the plan include data driven safety analysis, community focus groups, local leadership commitment, and transparency throughout the process. The plan will be conducted in four phases and will give Greene County the eligibility to apply for certain grants on road safety improvement, denoting some roads may also be under ALDOT jurisdiction. The plans will be enacted at no cost to the commission, and they will receive assistance with securing the grants aforementioned. “We can make the roads safer for everybody,” Gregory explained.

    The following new business items were approved:

    1. CIMS, a local government data system, contract for $1000.00 per month
    2. Travel for Assistant Engineer to travel to Montgomery, AL on October 21-22,2026 for a Bridge Refresh Course
    3. 2027 Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday, February 26-28, 2027
    4. Approval of repairs for bridge on County Road 20
    5. Hazard Mitigation Plan Phase II Resolution
    6. Moving CD from Robertson Bank to Merchants and Farmers for a better rate; increase from 3.25% to 3.98%
    7. Board appointment to DHR District 2: Geraldine Walton
    8. Payment of claims

    During public comments, local leaders came forward with requests for the commission. Anita Lewis is working on building a free resource center for Greene Countians to minimize travel and costs. She requested assistance with procuring a building for the center, stating that she would gather funds for its repairs. Greene County Health System CEO Rodgerick Williams came asking for financial assistance with the $100,000 of free care the hospital provides monthly to county citizens. Williams explained that the hospital has been providing services such as drug and alcohol programs to those in need.

    The county commission’s next work session is scheduled for October 7th, 2026, at 5:00 pm. The next regular session is scheduled for the following Monday, October 12th, at 5:00 pm in the W.M. Branch Courthouse.

    Featured Image: Mac Underwood, financial advisor for the Greene County Commission

  • Eutaw City Council approves applications for $872,425 to provide sewer connection to proposed Love’s Truck Stop location at Exit 40

    By: John Zippert,
    Co-Publisher

    At its regular meeting on May 22, 2018, the Eutaw City Council approved resolutions to apply for $872,425 to connect the City’s sewer services on Highway 14 (Mesopotamia Street) to a site near the Exit 40 interchange the Interstate 20/59.
    Love’s Truck Stop proposes to build on a 13.9-acre site adjacent to the Interstate at the 40-mile marker exit. The site will have a fueling station, a convenience store, two fast food outlets (Hardees and Godfather’s Pizza), parking for 87 trucks and other related amenities to serve heavily traveled Interstate.
    The truck stop is proposed to employ 43 people when operational, at least half of whom will be people who were previously low income. The business will also generate significant sales and gas tax revenues for state and local entities.
    The resolutions were presented to the City Council by Ms. Cory Johnson, grant developer with the West Alabama Regional Commission in Tuscaloosa, which is assisting the City of Eutaw with this sewer project.
    The Council approved a resolution to seek a grant of $400,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Alabama Department of Community Affairs (ADECA). This grant is based on the projection that the new business will create 43 new jobs.
    The Council also approved a resolution to seek a grant of $372,425 from Delta Regional Authority to match the CDBG funding. The City of Eutaw will have to provide the remaining $100,000 in matching funds.

    The City may be able to borrow these funds and make repayment from projected sales and gas tax revenues generated by the truck stop.
    The funds will be used to provide a 1.5 miles sewer line extension from an existing manhole located near the intersection of Hook Avenue and Mesopotamia Street (aka AL Hwy 14) proceeding north to Interstate 20/59
    (Exit 40) to serve the new Love’s Travel Stop. The improvements include a combination of force main and gravity sewer line, one road bore and a new lift station.
    Mayor Steele advised the City Council that the engineering firm of Godwyn, Mills and Cahill of Montgomery, Alabama, that completed the City’s recent water project, was working on plans and specifications for the sewer system extension. The Mayor estimated 2 to 3 months for the final designs to be available for bidding the project. The truck stop also needs several other permits from the Alabama Department of construction of the truck stop can begin.
    The City Council also adopted several other resolutions, which were required as part of the application package to ADECA, these included a Fair Housing Policy, Citizens Participation Plan, Procurement Policy and Limited English Proficiency Plan. These are standard procedures required for any state and Federal grant funding.
    At the recommendation of Police Chief, Derrick Coleman, the City Council approved hiring of Kendrick Barnes as a new police officer. Barnes had experience working in Pickens County and was certified as a police officer. Two other potential officers are going through the Police Academy in Tuscaloosa.
    The Council agreed to impose a rental fee of $300 to all groups using the Civic Center (formerly the National Guard Armory) whether they were for-profit or non-profit organizations. Mayor Steele said, “Our budget will not allow us to provide the facilities for free. We have to cover the costs of utilities, maintenance and repairs on our buildings.” The resolution was approved by a 5 to 1 vote, with Councilwoman Latasha Johnson as the only dissenter.
    In it’s March 8th. Meeting the City Council approved its Municipal Water Pollution Annual Report and agreed to rename a portion of Prairie Avenue south of the railroad tracks to Highway 43 as “ Bo Scarborough Avenue” to honor the University of Alabama football player with family roots in Greene County.