Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – March 5, 2025

The Baldwin County Commission held a work session at 9:00 AM and a regular meeting at 10:00 AM on March 5, 2025, at the Baldwin County Administration Building in Bay Minette, Alabama. The meeting covered the consent agenda, a presentation on Medicare open enrollment, a public hearing on building code adoption, and commissioner comments.

Consent Calendar

• Accounts Payable (BA1, BA2): Approved. Item 127 (a payment for Commissioner Ball) was pulled and voted separately; Commission Ball abstained from that vote.
• Administration (CA1–CA8): All items approved, including tax abatement for Green Health Laboratories, annexation notifications from Daphne, Gulf Shores, and Elberta, board reappointments/appointments, the loan agreement for the USS Peterson bell, and the court reporter salary supplement (Resolution 2025-090).
• Animal Control (CB1): Approved.
• Archives & History (CC1–CC3): Approved (dissolution of Bicentennial Park Advisory Committee, grant applications).
• BRATS (CD1): Approved (donated transportation services for Delta Woods and Waters Expo).
• Budget/Purchasing (CE1–CE9): Approved, including the orthophoto contract amendment, HVAC chiller purchase, tire procurement, printing/mailing services, road pipe, sewer line for corrections center, storage building lease (discussed), paved shoulders project, and micro-transit software RFP.
• Building Inspection (CF1, CF2): Approved (flood hazard management plan, CRS program certification).
• Communications (CH1): Approved.
• Elected Officials (CJ1): Approved after clarification (Sheriff’s Office intergovernmental agreement; Commissioner Underwood had questioned an ICE checkbox, but the County Administrator confirmed it pertained only to the county/sheriff’s 60/40 split).
• Highway (CO1–CO3): Approved.
• Personnel (CR1–CR5): Approved.
• Planning & Zoning (CS1–CS3): Approved; CS3 (Planning District 17 referendum) was explained—the submitted list of names was not a formal petition but showed support.

Presentations

• Medicare Open Enrollment Results: Kelly Childers from the Council on Aging reported that during the 35‑day enrollment period (October 15–December 7), five counselors served 2,031 clients and logged significant savings of over $1.4 million for 471 clients. The staff works year‑round but concentrates on Medicare drug cards and supplements during that window.

Public Hearing

• Building Code Adoption (EF1): No public speakers. The updated code was adopted; it takes effect immediately but provides a grace period until July 1 for ongoing projects.

Discussion Items

• Annexation Maps: Commissioner Underwood noted that maps received from municipalities (Daphne, Gulf Shores) were illegible and requested clearer maps in future annexation notifications.
• Court Reporter Salary Supplement: Commissioner Underwood asked about the source; the County Attorney explained it is a local law requirement for each circuit judge’s court reporter, approved by resolution.
• Storage Building Lease (CE7): Commissioners Ball and Underwood expressed concern about the $13,850 annual cost for storing surplus furniture. They questioned whether the inventory could be better managed or sold off. The new Building Official, Beauford, acknowledged the concern and committed to evaluating the arrangement.
• Sheriff’s Intergovernmental Agreement (CJ1): Commissioner Underwood raised that the form included an ICE checkbox while the sheriff’s office reportedly lacked an ICE agreement. After County Administrator Roger’s clarification that the agreement is only between the county and sheriff's office (60/40 split), the item remained on consent.
• Planning District 17 Referendum (CS3): A resident requested to zone the entire district (the unzoned gap on the eastern shore). The submitted list of names was not a formal petition but indicated support. The Commission approved the boundary, after which the petitioners must collect 10% of registered voters’ signatures.
• Tourism Funding for Bicentennial: Commissioner Underwood asked about using lodging tax revenue from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach for the bicentennial; the County Attorney noted those funds are earmarked for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and not available.

Senior Staff Reports

• Emergency Management (Tom): Thanked the Commission for communication during the previous day’s storms. He reported that Deputy EMA Director Dan Smith was in Washington, D.C., with the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers advocating for the National Weather Service’s capabilities, which are critical for hurricane-prone areas.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner Ball: Updated on construction around the Bay Minette courthouse (new district attorney’s office, HRM project, sally port) and asked for public patience. He also thanked County Engineer Frank Lundy for his advocacy during the NACo trip to Washington, D.C., where the Commission met with Senators Britt and Tuberville, and Representatives Moore, Rogers, and Figures.
• Commissioner Underwood: Emphasized the value of networking at NACo and praised the county staff. She urged the public to contact commissioners directly with questions rather than relying on misinformation.
• Commissioner Gruber: Thanked staff for the agenda and employees for managing the previous night’s severe weather. He also recognized William A. Little & Sons (Barnwell) for their farming legacy.
• Chairman Ball: Added condolences for Jane Wiggins Copt, a longtime resident who passed away.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (with item 127 voted separately).
• Building code updated and adopted (effective immediately; grace period until July 1, 2025).
• Sheriff’s Office intergovernmental agreement kept on consent after clarification.
• The Commission directed staff to request clearer annexation maps from municipalities.
• The storage lease will be evaluated for cost‑effectiveness.
• Planning District 17 zoning referendum boundary approved; petitioners to proceed with signature collection.