Commission recognizes state basketball champions and long‑serving county employees

The commission spent the opening portion of its March 19 meeting on community recognitions and employee awards.

Commissioners read and presented a resolution recognizing the Fairfield High Preparatory School boys basketball team as the AHSAA Class 4A state champions, noting the game at BJCC Legacy Arena on March 6 and singling out the MVP, Milton Jones, and head coach Maurice Ford. The team and school officials joined commissioners for remarks and a photo.

The commission also recognized several long‑tenured county employees and presented a formal retirement resolution to Kathy Burleson (identified in the record as a long‑time GIS database supervisor) for nearly three decades of county service, including leading the transition to electronic mapping and maintaining data that supports 911 and addressing functions. Burleson thanked the commission and staff; colleagues praised her work supporting public safety and permitting systems.

Separately, the county presented the Alabama People Against a Littered State (AL PALS) Governors Award to Minor High School’s Student Government Association for ongoing volunteer roadside cleanup efforts; staff described multi‑year volunteer totals and the 2025 removal of 1,540 pounds of litter from Minor Parkway. Presenters credited partnerships with local cities, Vulcan Materials and the sheriff’s office reserves for supporting the cleanup efforts.

These recognitions were ceremonial; no formal policy actions were taken in these segments of the agenda.