Lee County public meetings in 2023

County Commission

The Lee County Commission will hold its regular meeting on December 11, 2023, addressing old and new business. Key items include updates on ARPA-funded projects (youth center, mental health facility, Beauregard Park Road, Loachapoka broadband), a work session on dirt road paving, and a first reading for a second opening on the Smiths Station Fire Protection District Board. The meeting also includes a consent agenda for minutes and claims, and a reminder that the second December meeting is cancelled.

• ARPA funds for Lee County Youth Development Center, EAMC Mental Health Facility, and Beauregard Park Road
• Update on Loachapoka Broadband ARPA project
• Set work session on dirt road paving
• 1st reading for second opening on Smiths Station Fire Protection District Board
• ABC application for retail beer & table wine license for Country Market 368 (D4)

County Commission

The Lee County Commission will hold its regular meeting, including public comment, consent agenda, and old and new business. Key items include a second reading on opening the Smiths Station Fire Protection District, a final plat approval for The Cottages at Southern Ridge Estates, and a discussion on moving Parks & Rec to the Highway Dept. Several items are discussions or requests, not final decisions.

• Final plat approval for The Cottages at Southern Ridge Estates
• 2nd reading on first opening of Smiths Station Fire Protection District
• Discussion of moving Parks & Rec Dept. to Highway Dept
• Proposed local legislation by Sheriff Jones
• Deputy Coroner status change from contract to salaried

County Commission

The Lee County Commission will hold its regular meeting on November 13, 2023, addressing old and new business. Key items include the second reading of a vacancy on the Beulah Utilities Board, tax collection and administration, FY 2024 outside appropriations, a budget replacement, and a gas tax fund adjustment. New business includes changes to polling places, a Kronos timekeeping system, a local roads safety initiative award, an ARPA stormwater grant, non-county maintained paved roads, and awarding broadband ARPA projects.

• FY 2024 Outside Appropriations
• Replace 2024 Fiscal Year Budget
• 2024 Gas Tax Fund Budget Adjustment
• ARPA Stormwater Grant Award
• Award Broadband ARPA Projects

County Commission

The Lee County Commission is meeting to handle routine business and several notable items. They will hear updates on the dirt road paving program and free disposal days, consider bids for Glock handguns and a Ford Expedition, and discuss broadband access in District 5. The agenda also includes several financial items, such as budget adjustments and renewal agreements.

• Bid #2024-01 for 100 or more Glock handguns
• Bid #2023-19 for one or more 2024 Ford Expedition
• Broadband in District 5 and other community concerns
• Master Services Agreement with AUBix
• 2024 Gas Tax Fund Budget Adjustment

County Commission

The Commission amended a previous resolution to remove the Lee Road 76 project from ARPA funding due to increased costs. It also approved merit increases for the County Engineer and EMA Director and appointed members to several county boards.

• Reduced ARPA allocation for Loachapoka Water Authority to $2,561,070 and removed Lee Road 76 project
• Approved 4% merit increase for County Engineer Justin Hardee
• Approved 4% merit increase for EMA Director Rita Smith
• Appointed Roberta H. Greene and Debra Beil to Horseshoe Bend Regional Library Board
• Appointed Richard B. Curry, Jr., Cecil M. Yarbrough, and Angie Burque to Dept of Human Resources Board
• Reappointed George Ervin to Lee County Youth Development Center Board
• Approved lounge retail liquor-Class II license for Thirstys
• Approved special event retail license for B and B Management for October 6, 2023

County Commission

The Lee County Commission will meet to address new business including a tax abatement for Kraem USA, Inc. and the Rebuild Alabama Act. The meeting includes a review of bid results for Loachapoka Park and will conclude with a budget work session.

• Tax abatement for Kraem USA, Inc.
• Bid results for Loachapoka Park
• Rebuild Alabama Act and the County Transportation Plan
• Final Subdivision Plat for Zachry Howard S/D
• Educational Reimbursement Requests from Sheriff Jones

The Lee County Commission approved the 2024 County Transportation Plan and a 10-year tax abatement for Kraem USA, Inc. The board also approved a subdivision plat and several board appointments. A discussion regarding the Loachapoka Water Authority project was tabled.

• Approved 2024 County Transportation Plan for 9 projects totaling $2,373,810.00 (unanimous)
• Approved 10-year tax abatement for Kraem USA, Inc. investment of $13,235,995 (unanimous)
• Approved final plat for Zachry Howard Subdivision (unanimous)
• Appointed Harold Whatley and Richard Newton to Lee County Planning Commission (unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement for Deputy Shawn McDevitt (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and procurement card transactions (unanimous)
• Tabled Loachapoka Water Authority project discussion

County Commission

The Commission voted to affirm noise ordinance citations following an appeal and authorized a request for an Attorney General's opinion regarding public records for delinquent garbage customers. Other actions included approving a liquor license transfer and educational reimbursements for deputies.

• Affirmed noise ordinance citations (4-1)
• Authorized request for Attorney General's opinion on disclosing delinquent garbage customers (Unanimous)
• Approved lounge retail liquor license transfer for The Tavern at Lake Harding (Unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement requests for Deputies Ben Causland and Jared Corbett (Unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and July 31, 2023 minutes (Unanimous)
• Reappointed George Dyar, Barbara Patton, and Lee Roy Kelly to the E911 Board (Unanimous)

General

The Lee County Commission will meet to review various administrative requests and infrastructure updates. The body is discussing broadband expansion grants, solid waste billing transitions, and several road and park projects.

• Bid #2023-12 for 10 or more Panasonic Toughbook Computers for Sheriff Jones
• Lee County Broadband Expansion Grant Program amended projects
• Amendments to Solid Waste Billing Guidelines
• Updates on Goat Rock Ridge Phase II and Halawakee Creek Landing Phase 3
• Adopt-A-Mile application for Lee Road 265

The Commission approved amended priority areas for the Lee County Broadband Expansion Grant Program, increasing the total to 44.8 miles. The county was awarded $250,000 for a bridge replacement and $150,000 for stormwater cross drains. Other actions included approving board compensation increases and equipment purchases for the Sheriff's Office.

• Approved amended broadband priority project areas and grant applications (Unanimous)
• Awarded $37,500 contract to Mobile Communications for 10 Panasonic Toughbook computers (Unanimous)
• Approved compensation increase for Beulah Utilities District chairman ($400 to $600) and board members ($200 to $400) (Unanimous)
• Nominated Goode G. Dorman, III, James A. Conner, Jr., and Kenneth Carter to the Board of Equalization (Unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and July 10 minutes (4-0-1)
• Authorized Judge English to draft a contract for CAO Holly Leverette (Unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement for Deputy Hayden Greenlee (Unanimous)
• Nominated Commissioner Cannon to the 2023-2024 ACCA Legislative Committee (Unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission approved a liquor license for Big Dads Package Store 2 and authorized a grant application for energy-efficient field lighting. Educational reimbursements for two deputies and the consent agenda were also approved.

• Approved consent agenda including claims, procurement card transactions, and June 26, 2023 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved liquor license application for Big Dads Package Store 2 at 10 Lee Road 189 Suite A, Opelika, AL
• Approved educational reimbursements for Deputies Shawn McDevitt and Ben Causland (unanimous)
• Authorized Judge English to sign ADECA State Energy Program Grant application for LED lighting (unanimous)

County Commission

The Lee County Commission approved a 10-year tax abatement for a new CSP Technologies, Inc. distribution center. The board also appointed two members to local boards and approved a subdivision plat and a bridge grant application.

• Approved 10-year tax abatement for CSP Technologies, Inc. distribution center
• Approved $1,212 local match for a joint Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant
• Appointed John Wood to the Lee County Planning Commission (unanimous)
• Appointed Valerie Gray to the East Alabama Health Care Authority Board (unanimous)
• Approved final plat for Goat Rock Ridge Phase 1 Subdivision (unanimous)
• Approved Adopt-A-Mile request for Beulah Friends of the Community, Inc. on Lee Road 270 (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and June 12, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission approved a resolution to use ARPA funds to expand broadband fiber optic infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. Other actions included appointing a member to the East Alabama Mental Health Board and awarding a contract for dive team equipment.

• Allocated up to $4,392,071 in ARPA funds for the Lee County Broadband Expansion Grant Program (Unanimous)
• Appointed Lauren Penton to the East Alabama Mental Health Board for a six-year term (Unanimous)
• Awarded Bid #2023-11 to Dive Rescue International for $37,545.75 for six dive team outfits (Unanimous)
• Approved retail liquor Class II license for Package Store at 1522 Lee Road 379 (Unanimous)
• Approved retail beer and table wine license for 1st Choice Quick Stop at 1520 Lee Road 379 (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to change the Commission Office Post Office Box number (Unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda items including claims and May 30, 2023 minutes (Unanimous)
• Scheduled ARPA funding work session for June 26 at 4:00 p.m. (Unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission voted to stop all maintenance of Lee Road 321 due to unauthorized paving and adopted a new policy for private improvements on public roads. Other actions included approving a property software conversion and a mapping grant.

• Removed Lee Road 321 from county maintenance and the Highway Reference Guide (Unanimous)
• Adopted new 'Policy for Private Improvements on Public Roads and/or Rights-of-Way' (Unanimous)
• Approved $296,640 agreement with Ingenuity, Inc. for property software conversion (Unanimous)
• Authorized $12,000 ALDOT grant for digital ortho-photography and mapping (Unanimous)
• Approved 2022 report of Insolvencies, Errors and Taxes in Litigation (Unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement for three deputies (Unanimous)
• Approved final plat for Abel Division of parcels C-5 and B-2 (Unanimous)
• Tabled allocation for broadband expansion grant program (Unanimous)

County Commission

The Lee County Commission will meet to discuss infrastructure projects and administrative matters. Key items include road repaving and a property transfer to the City of Opelika.

• Repaving of Lee Road 182 and 183
• Resolution transferring property to the City of Opelika
• Final Plat Approval for Halawakee Creek Landing Subdivision, Phase 2
• Discussion of Probate Judge's salary increase
• Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine Application for Liberty Express Food Mart

The Lee County Commission unanimously approved a $5,400 annual agreement with ThreatAdvice for cybersecurity education and awareness training for 150 county employees. The commission also unanimously approved a resolution asking the state legislature to raise the Probate Judge's salary from $129,855 to $150,000, appointed Jacob Geiger to the Recreation Board, approved a final plat for Halawakee Creek Landing Phase 2, and authorized the transfer of nine open-top containers to Opelika for $2,000 each.

• Approved $5,400 cybersecurity training agreement with ThreatAdvice (unanimous)
• Approved resolution requesting Probate Judge salary increase to $150,000 (unanimous)
• Appointed Jacob Geiger as District 4 Recreation Board representative (unanimous)
• Approved final plat for Halawakee Creek Landing Phase 2 subdivision (unanimous)
• Authorized transfer of nine open-top containers to City of Opelika at $2,000 each (unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement for Deputy Vintel Thomas (unanimous)
• Approved alcohol license transfer for Liberty Express Food Mart (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and prior minutes (unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission denied a request to vacate Lee Road 196 following a public hearing. Other actions included allocating ARPA funds for water infrastructure and supporting legislation for an additional circuit judgeship.

• Denied petition to vacate Lee Road 196 (unanimous)
• Approved allocation of up to $4,166,952.38 in ARPA funds to Smiths Water & Sewer Authority (unanimous)
• Approved resolution supporting Senate Bill 144 for an additional circuit judgeship (unanimous)
• Approved $28,606.56 bid from King Honda for one Chrysler Pacifica Limited vehicle (unanimous)
• Approved agreement with DocuStor for scanning and cloud services (unanimous)
• Approved contract amendment with Ingenuity Software to extend expiration to September 30, 2024 (unanimous)
• Approved retail beer and table wine license for Sistrunks (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and April 10, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission approved funding for water infrastructure projects via ARPA and authorized civil action against a vendor for non-delivery of rifles. Other actions included approving two subdivision plats, reducing a speed limit on Lee Road 257, and appointing a member to the Beauregard Water Authority Board.

• Appointed Dave Ketchen to the Beauregard Water Authority Board (4-1)
• Authorized civil action against Gulf Coast Tactical for non-delivery of rifles (unanimous)
• Approved ARPA funding up to $2,807,474.89 for Beauregard Water Authority projects (unanimous)
• Approved ARPA funding up to $1,791,500 for Loachapoka Water Authority projects (unanimous)
• Approved final plats for Tillery Subdivision and Daniel Lakes Subdivision (unanimous)
• Reduced speed limit on Lee Road 257 from 45 mph to 30 mph (unanimous)
• Rejected $1,791,868.95 resurfacing bid from D&J Enterprises, Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved $27,000 budget adjustment for Agricultural Center kitchen floor repairs (unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission updated the county's building and administrative codes to the 2021 editions, effective May 1, 2023. The board also approved several board appointments, vehicle purchases, and an intergovernmental agreement with the US Army.

• Adopted 2021 Building and Administrative Codes (Unanimous)
• Appointed Dave Ketchen to Beauregard Water Authority Board (4-0-1)
• Reappointed George R. Ervin and David Taylor to Loachapoka Water Authority (Unanimous)
• Reappointed Adam Littleton and Jason Flowers to Smiths Water and Sewer Authority Board (3-0-1)
• Reappointed William A. Parker, Jr. and Edgar Adams to Alternative Sentencing Board (Unanimous)
• Approved Intergovernmental Support Agreement with US Army for confinement services (Unanimous)
• Approved restaurant retail liquor license for San Miguel Mexican Cuisine (Unanimous)
• Awarded passenger van bid to Honda of Jasper for $42,909 and truck bid to Langley Motor Company for $133,799.36 (Unanimous)

County Commission

The Lee County Commission will receive reports on a broadband feasibility study, solid waste, and building and administrative codes. The body will also consider educational reimbursement requests and ABC applications.

• Broadband Feasibility Study results presented by Dan Mellott of Sain Associates
• Solid Waste update from John McDonald
• Building and Administrative Code update from Joel Hubbard
• Educational Reimbursement Requests from Sheriff Jones
• ABC Applications from B&B Beverage Management for two events in District 5

The Commission approved two one-day special events retail licenses for B & B Beverage Management and educational reimbursement for two deputies. The board also approved the consent agenda and tabled a Beauregard Water Authority Board appointment to the March 27 meeting.

• Approved consent agenda including claims, procurement card transactions, and Feb 27 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement requests for Deputy Jared Corbett and Deputy Shawn McDevitt (unanimous)
• Approved special events retail license for B & B Beverage Management for April 1 at 21 Acres (unanimous)
• Approved special events retail license for B & B Beverage Management for April 13 at Legacy at Serenity Farms (unanimous)
• Tabled Beauregard Water Authority Board appointment to March 27 meeting (unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission approved the use of ARPA revenue replacement funds for a new Engineering Complex and authorized a $1.89M road resurfacing project. Other actions included updating COVID-19 sick leave policies and reducing speed limits on two county roads.

• Allocated $7,663,100 in ARPA funds for Lee County Engineering Complex construction (Unanimous)
• Authorized $1,891,090.54 contract to East Alabama Paving Company for Lee Road 379 resurfacing (Unanimous)
• Approved updated COVID-19 policies, reducing new hire sick leave from 80 to 40 hours (Unanimous)
• Reduced speed limits on Lee Road 371 (45 to 25 mph) and Lee Road 785 (45 to 10 mph) (Unanimous)
• Approved FY2023-2024 Annual Levy of Alcoholic Beverages with no fee changes (Unanimous)
• Approved special events retail license for Premium Pours Bartending (Unanimous)
• Approved transfer of Restaurant Retail Liquor license for Happy Hour Bar and Grill (Unanimous)
• Created Building Maintenance Administrative Assistant position and reclassified Facility Supervisor (Unanimous)

County Commission

The Commission approved a tax abatement for a new distribution center and authorized several road and bridge projects. They also passed a resolution honoring the late Commissioner John Andrew Harris and approved a speed limit reduction on Lee Road 262.

• Approved 10-year tax abatement for ADC300, LLC distribution center (Unanimous)
• Approved educational reimbursement for Deputy Ben Causland (Unanimous)
• Authorized application for RAA Grant to replace bridge on Lee Road 245 (Unanimous)
• Authorized resurfacing of 4.77 miles of Lee Road 240 (Unanimous)
• Reduced speed limit on Lee Road 262 from 45 mph to 35 mph (Unanimous)
• Renewed ACCA Liability Self-Insurance Fund participation for 2024-2026 (Unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including claims and January 9 minutes (Unanimous)
• Passed resolution honoring late Commissioner John Andrew Harris

County Commission

The Commission awarded a construction contract for the Engineering Complex and approved several board reappointments. It also authorized a federal aid agreement for road resurfacing and created a new chief billing clerk position for Environmental Services.

• Awarded $15,055,832 contract to Gamble Winter Construction, LLC for Engineering Complex (Unanimous)
• Approved $663,100 from ARPA Revenue Replacement funds for Engineering Complex (Unanimous)
• Authorized Federal Aid Agreement for resurfacing 7.762 miles of Lee Road 379 (Unanimous)
• Approved creation of chief billing clerk position at Pay Grade 115 (Unanimous)
• Reduced speed limit on Lee Road 668 from 45 mph to 25 mph (Unanimous)
• Authorized agreement with McKee & Associates for Loachapoka Community Park design (Unanimous)
• Approved three-year renewal agreement with Avenu Insights and Analytics, LLC for lodgings tax (Unanimous)
• Reappointed Tara Barr, Linda Holt, Richard Key II, and Diane Carlton to various boards (Unanimous)