Autauga County Commission approves hires, vehicle purchases and state road agreement; adopts memorial for former commissioner

The Autauga County Commission met March 5, 2024, in Prattville and carried a series of routine administrative and procurement items by unanimous votes, while adopting a resolution honoring former Commissioner James "Jim" Michael Ross.

The board adopted Resolution #2024-13 mourning the death of James "Jim" Michael Ross, who died Feb. 12, 2024, at age 78. The resolution notes Ross represented District Two on the commission from 1996 to 2000, served four years in the United States Marine Corps, studied at Troy University, worked as a private business owner and branch manager for Citizens Bank, and was active in civic organizations including the Autaugaville Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. The resolution also records Ross's longtime membership at Autaugaville Methodist Church and his support for the Prattville-Autauga Humane Shelter.

On fiscal and personnel matters, the commission approved the minutes of the Feb. 20, 2024 meeting and authorized payment of invoices presented through March 5, 2024. The board approved a consent docket that included attendance authorizations for multiple staff training conferences (Probate Judges' spring training; ACCA annual conference; sheriff training and related conferences), confirmed six-month probation periods for two sheriff employees (Jason Crumpton and William Hurst), and declared a list of appraisal/mapping and revenue department computers and monitors as surplus; serial numbers are recorded in the meeting minutes.

The commission also approved a budget amendment to record a $1,407 insurance recovery from ACCA for a 2021 Dodge Durango and approved multiple personnel actions: accepted the resignation of Deputy Sheriff Stefan Wladyka (effective 3/4/2024) and authorized hiring a replacement; approved hires and replacements for desk clerk, jailer and appraisal positions (including Joshua Zachary Jones, Gregory Pierson, Tyiesha Smith, Angie Calloway) and approved a personnel transfer for a part-time jailer. All personnel motions carried unanimously.

On procurement, the commission awarded bids for two vehicles — a Durango for $44,000 and a Charger for $36,750 — to Woody Folsom of Douglas Inc., to be paid from the county's Discretionary Fund. The board awarded the annual bid for Fob limestone rip rap and gabion stone to Dunn Construction Co. and Vulcan Materials, and awarded project RA ACP 01-99-22 (raise parapet wall and install new guard rail system on CR-39) to H & L Construction Inc.

In emergency-management business, the commission authorized the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to apply for FY2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program funding and approved the County Chairman and EMA Director David Bagley to sign the FY2024 EMPG State Cooperative Agreement. The commission accepted several assets from AEMA, including a Kossen 55 kW diesel generator (Asset #57-005078) placed at 499 Lower Kingston Road, Prattville, and power-distribution equipment placed at county EMA locations; asset numbers and placement addresses are recorded in the minutes.

The board approved Resolution #2024-14 and a construction agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for Project STPMN-0122(251), described in the minutes as resurfacing and traffic striping on County Road 6 from the beginning of pavement (230 feet west of CR-81) to CR-57. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.; the commission reconvened its regular meeting schedule on March 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of Feb. 20, 2024 (motion: Mr. Jacksland; second: Mr. Thrailkill) — approved unanimously.
- Approve invoices through March 5, 2024 (motion: Mr. Tatum; second: Mr. Thrailkill) — approved unanimously.
- Approve consent docket (motion: Mr. Jacksland; second: Mr. Stoudemire) — approved unanimously (training approvals; probation confirmations; surplus equipment listing).
- Adopt Resolution #2024-13 (mourning former Commissioner James "Jim" Michael Ross) — approved unanimously.
- Amend line item for $1,407 insurance recovery (motion: Mr. Thrailkill; second: Mr. Tatum) — approved unanimously.
- Accept resignation and authorize replacement hire for Deputy Sheriff Stefan Wladyka — approved unanimously.
- Award vehicle purchases to Douglas Inc. ($44,000 Durango; $36,750 Charger) — approved unanimously.
- Approve EMA applications/agreements and accept AEMA assets — approved unanimously.
- Award bids for rip rap and gabion stone to Dunn Construction Co. and Vulcan Materials — approved unanimously.
- Award project RA ACP 01-99-22 to H & L Construction Inc. — approved unanimously.
- Adopt Resolution #2024-14 and execute ALDOT construction agreement for CR-6 resurfacing (Project STPMN-0122(251)) — approved unanimously.

The meeting records show no contested or roll-call votes; motions were recorded with mover/second and marked "motion carried by unanimous vote of the Commission."