Jackson County Commission approves courthouse study contract, rescinds landlord solid-waste rule and amends marina residency policy
January 30, 2026 | Jackson County, Alabama
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The Jackson County Commission on Jan. 28 voted on several administrative actions, approving an architecture study for the courthouse, rescinding a landlord-responsibility solid-waste policy and adopting new marina residency limits.
The commission approved staff’s recommendation to contract for architectural and engineering services to study the courthouse’s existing conditions and present conceptual layouts, cost estimates and phasing options. Staff described a first-phase, “not to exceed” study fee of $45,000 to review current conditions, interview stakeholders including judges and clerks, and produce an order‑of‑magnitude cost estimate. The contract award language in the packet identified a named firm; transcript references to the recommended firm appear inconsistently, so the commission approved moving forward with the recommended architecture consultant and authorized the chair to sign the contract.
On solid-waste policy, the commission voted to rescind a previously adopted county position that had made property owners responsible for tenant garbage accounts (the prior action was approved Dec. 20, 2023, per the packet). The motion to rescind was made and seconded; the commission carried the motion by voice vote.
The commission also amended the Jackson County Campground and Marina rules to prohibit using rented boat slips for residential purposes. The amendment defines “living aboard” as staying overnight on a vessel more than 10 nights within a 30‑day period; the policy makes slip renters maintain a permanent residential address outside Jackson County Park and gives current renters 90 days from adoption to comply.
Other routine actions approved by voice vote included adoption of the meeting agenda and previous meeting minutes and approval of the county’s annual rebuild report required for submission.
Road-and-infrastructure procurement: the commission set aside rules to begin contract negotiations and approved the recommended selection for the SS 4a safety consultant to support design, FHWA reimbursement documentation and construction-phase deliverables. Staff emphasized a five‑year deadline for completing the safety projects. The commission carried that motion by voice vote.
No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript excerpts; items were carried by voice vote with commissioners saying “aye.”
What happens next: staff will finalize contract documents for the architecture study and return contracts for signature as appropriate; the marina policy includes a 90‑day compliance window for existing renters; and the county will proceed to negotiate with the recommended road consultant.
The commission approved staff’s recommendation to contract for architectural and engineering services to study the courthouse’s existing conditions and present conceptual layouts, cost estimates and phasing options. Staff described a first-phase, “not to exceed” study fee of $45,000 to review current conditions, interview stakeholders including judges and clerks, and produce an order‑of‑magnitude cost estimate. The contract award language in the packet identified a named firm; transcript references to the recommended firm appear inconsistently, so the commission approved moving forward with the recommended architecture consultant and authorized the chair to sign the contract.
On solid-waste policy, the commission voted to rescind a previously adopted county position that had made property owners responsible for tenant garbage accounts (the prior action was approved Dec. 20, 2023, per the packet). The motion to rescind was made and seconded; the commission carried the motion by voice vote.
The commission also amended the Jackson County Campground and Marina rules to prohibit using rented boat slips for residential purposes. The amendment defines “living aboard” as staying overnight on a vessel more than 10 nights within a 30‑day period; the policy makes slip renters maintain a permanent residential address outside Jackson County Park and gives current renters 90 days from adoption to comply.
Other routine actions approved by voice vote included adoption of the meeting agenda and previous meeting minutes and approval of the county’s annual rebuild report required for submission.
Road-and-infrastructure procurement: the commission set aside rules to begin contract negotiations and approved the recommended selection for the SS 4a safety consultant to support design, FHWA reimbursement documentation and construction-phase deliverables. Staff emphasized a five‑year deadline for completing the safety projects. The commission carried that motion by voice vote.
No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript excerpts; items were carried by voice vote with commissioners saying “aye.”
What happens next: staff will finalize contract documents for the architecture study and return contracts for signature as appropriate; the marina policy includes a 90‑day compliance window for existing renters; and the county will proceed to negotiate with the recommended road consultant.
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