Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – August 19, 2025

The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on August 19, 2025, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse, beginning with a work session at 9:00 AM and the regular session at 10:00 AM. All four commissioners were present: James E. Ball (District 1), Matthew P. McKenzie (District 2, Chairman), Billie Jo Underwood (District 3), and Charles F. Gruber (District 4). The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, three public hearings on rezoning requests, a major intersection improvement partnership with the City of Foley, the purchase of adjacent real property, a retiree recognition, and several administrative actions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes of the August 4, 2025, Special Meeting (Budget Deliberations), August 5, 2025, Regular Meeting, and August 11, 2025, Special Meeting (Budget Deliberations) – all by unanimous 4-0 votes.
• Payment of Bills (BA1) and Ratification of Interim Payments (BA2): Approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda (CA, CD, CE, CF, CJ, CK, CM, CN, CO, CR): Approved with the exception of item CE3 (County Road 26/Hickory Street intersection improvements), which was moved to Other Staff Recommendations. This consent package included:
  • Annexation notifications from Gulf Shores and Loxley.
  • Annual advertising contract with Gulf Coast Media for FY2025-2026 (legal ads at $14.00 per column inch, $0.41 per word).
  • Resolution #2025-168 allowing Rosinton Volunteer Fire & Rescue to use fire tax proceeds as loan security for a new pumper (not to exceed $388,000).
  • Adoption of Policy #2.26 for internal communications and emergency resource tracking (TRACE).
  • Agreements for BRATS transit services, including a Florida-Alabama collaborative planning agreement, a three-year license renewal with Cypress Spanish Fort III, and termination of a contract with Via Mobility, LLC.
  • Bid awards: Construction of new District Attorney building in Bay Minette (contingency/allowance authorizations totaling $20,977), concrete sidewalk repair contract to Parten Smith, Inc., HVAC certificates of substantial completion for Board of Education and Fairhope Courthouse, and renovation allowance for Central Annex in Robertsdale.
  • Two RFQs for Dauphin Island Sea Lab/NEP monitoring tasks (AGWA modeling and LID/suspended solids tool).
  • Resolution #2025-162 allocating ARPA and revenue replacement interest.
  • Updates to Budget & Purchasing policies (Policy 3.2, abolishing 3.1, 3.3, 3.4).
  • Authorization to solicit RFP for inmate and juvenile medical services.
  • ADEM Coastal Area Program agreement for FY2025-2026 ($38,500).
  • Probate Office armored transport agreement with Loomis Armored US, LLC (three-year term).
  • Coroner’s Office E911 dispatch agreement (five-year) and MOUs with Hughes and Mack funeral homes for body storage (two-year).
  • Sheriff’s Office professional services agreement with Hillman Legal Strategies, LLC ($3,166.66/month, 18 months) and transfer of one vehicle to be sold as scrap to Atmore Recycling.
  • USGS joint funding agreement for stream gaging stations (FY2025-2026).
  • Finance policy updates (Policy 8.22 combining debt management and general procedures; new Policy 8.24 for emergency reimbursement).
  • Administrative closeout of CDBG-DR Planning Phase (remaining $332,989.24 not eligible for retention).
  • Highway items: Road acceptance for Paxton Farms Phase 2 (Hens Avenue, Serama Drive) with $400,686.96 surety; Rebuild Alabama FY2026 County Transportation Plan (resurfacing CR 32, CR 48, and bridge replacement on Scenic 98); SS4A grant agreement for a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan; utility agreements for CR 64 widening (non-reimbursable with AT&T, C-Spire, Uniti Fiber; reimbursable with Riviera Utilities at estimated $543,115.93, 80% MPO funded).
  • Personnel actions: new hires, promotions, and transfers in Highway, Probate, and Revenue Commission departments.
• Addendum Item GA1 – Purchase of Real Property Adjacent to Central Annex I, Robertsdale: Unanimously approved the purchase of 4.17 acres from First Baptist Church of Robertsdale for $479,550.00, with a $5,000 earnest money deposit, via Resolution #2025-163.
• Opioid Settlement Resolution #2025-172: Unanimously approved authorizing Baldwin County to join the State of Alabama and other local governments in current and future opioid settlements related to Purdue, Sackler, Alvogen, Apotex, Amneal, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun Pharma, and Zydus.

Public Hearings

• Case Z25-34 – Sweetwater Investments, LLC Rezoning (RSF-1 to RSF-3): The public hearing drew opposition from residents. Jessica McDill (representing Radcliff family) cited density, environmental concerns, non-conformity with Future Land Use Map, and need for a traffic study. David Sewell argued the rezoning conflicted with the intent of District 39 and Barnwell Landmark District. The applicant’s representative, Cathy Barnette (Dewberry Engineers), requested withdrawal to address community concerns. The commission unanimously accepted the withdrawal (motion by Ball, second by Gruber). Commissioner Underwood clarified that this was a rezoning request, not a variance, and that the landmark district does not affect zoning. The case was withdrawn.
• Case Z25-36 – Friendship Park LLC Rezoning (B-1 to LB): Senior Planner Celena Boykin presented. The 1.2-acre property, located in an urban mixed-use node near CR 64, would allow a produce stand and food truck under LB (Limited Business) zoning, which includes greater restrictions on building size and operation hours compared to B-1. No public opposition was voiced. Cathy Barnette, for the applicant, noted compatibility with the emerging corridor. The rezoning was approved 3-1 (Commissioner McKenzie opposed).
• Case Z25-37 – Corcoran Property Rezoning (RSF-E to RA): Planner Cory Rhodes presented. The 13.5-acre tract, south of CR 64 in Belforest, would be rezoned from Residential Single Family Estate to Rural Agricultural to allow expansion of an existing storage facility. Applicant Frank McGinley spoke briefly. No opposition. Approved unanimously 4-0.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Requests (Work Session):
  • Meeting Reschedule: Commissioner Underwood requested moving the November 4, 2025, work session and regular meeting to Thursday, November 6, 2025, to allow commissioners to attend a leadership exchange with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. Unanimously agreed.
  • Organizational Chart Change: Underwood recommended moving the Juvenile Detention Center Director position under the County Administrator. The commissioners agreed, noting that this aligns with current practice.
  • Letter of Support for Everwood Deceleration Lane: Commissioner Gruber requested a letter of support to ALDOT for a deceleration lane at the Everwood entrance on U.S. Highway 31. The County Engineer will draft the letter for the Chairman’s signature.
  • Recognition of Boating Accident Heroes: Commissioner Ball proposed honoring seven individuals (including four high school fishing team members) who performed life-saving measures after a boating accident. Staff will arrange future recognition.
• Retiree Recognition (DA1): Personnel Director Deidra Hanak and License Revenue Administrator Renee Hawsey presented a plaque to Susan Thompson, Senior License Revenue Officer, Probate Office, for her 25 years of service. Commissioners thanked her.
• CE3 – Intersection Improvements on County Road 26 (West Michigan Avenue) and Hickory Street South: County Engineer Frank Lundy presented an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Foley. The project includes adding turn lanes, upgraded mast-arm signals, and improving hurricane resilience. The City of Foley funded design and will maintain the intersection after construction; Baldwin County will fund construction. Mayor Ralph Hellmich thanked the commission. The bid was awarded to Rob Middleton Construction, LLC, for $2,100,221.80 with a 120-working-day construction period. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items, minutes, and routine approvals passed unanimously except for the Friendship Park rezoning, which passed 3-1.
• Sweetwater Investments request withdrawn after public opposition; no further action.
• Friendship Park rezoning approved (3-1).
• Corcoran rezoning approved (4-0).
• Intersection improvements (CE3) awarded to Rob Middleton Construction.
• Real property purchase (GA1) approved with $479,550 for 4.17 acres adjacent to Central Annex I.
• Opioid settlement participation authorized via Resolution #2025-172.
• Next steps: The November 4 meeting will be rescheduled to November 6; the County Engineer will draft a support letter for Everwood; staff will arrange recognition for boating accident heroes; and the organizational chart will be updated to move Juvenile Detention under the County Administrator.