Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – December 2, 2025

The Baldwin County Commission held a work session at 9:00 AM and a regular meeting at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the County Administration Building in Bay Minette. The Commission addressed a consent agenda, recognized outgoing Bay Minette Police Chief Al W. Tolbert Jr., approved appointments to the North Baldwin County Health Care Authority, and clarified its limited authority over state agencies following public misconceptions.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda Approved with Amendments: The February 17, 2026 work session and regular meeting were rescheduled to Thursday, February 19, 2026, due to the Mardi Gras holiday. Item CR6 (Parks and Recreation – Employment of Two Landscape Technician I Positions) was removed at the request of the personnel director.
• Administration Items: Annual review and approval of county take-home vehicle list; rescheduling of February meeting; updates to commission administration policies; approval of Zion Fountain and Vaughn Community Annual Christmas Parade.
• Animal Control: Waiver of age limit for volunteers for Foley High School Key Club event at the Baldwin County Animal Shelter.
• Archives and History: Donation of a 1900s working sawmill to Baldwin County Bicentennial Park (donor Darryl described the sawmill's condition and plans for a building to house it).
• Budget/Purchasing: Competitive bids for on-call fiber optic installation, animal transport units, sheriff’s office storage boxes, architectural services for Central Annex II renovations, 2026 resurfacing projects, and copy machine rentals for various departments.
• Finance: Renewal of crime bond policy, new county levies for alcohol licenses, and publication of draft unaudited financial status.
• Highway: Central Annex I parking lot improvements, contract assignments, auction sales agreement, right-of-way license, and execution of IRS Form 8283 for donated right-of-way on multiple projects.
• Personnel: Renewal of AirMedCare Network services, employment of animal control officer, personnel change in BRATS department, creation of position in Community Relations, employment of detention worker, voluntary demotion in Sales & Use Tax/License Inspection department.
• Planning and Zoning: Appointment of responsible official for 2026 MS4 Phase II permit; appointment to Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission; letter of support for Auburn University grant proposal on green stormwater infrastructure.

Presentations & Recognition

• Recognition of Al W. Tolbert Jr.: The Commission presented a certificate of recognition to former Bay Minette Police Chief Al W. Tolbert Jr. for his service from 2017 to 2025. Commissioners and staff praised his professionalism, collaboration, and impact on public safety in the county seat.

Discussion Items

• Work Session – Audit Recognition: Finance Director Tara recognized the finance and accounting team for receiving a completely clean audit (unqualified opinion, no federal or state findings) for fiscal year 2024, released a full month earlier than the prior year. The management discussion and analysis (MDNA) section was added for the first time in years.
• Work Session – Executive Session: The Commission voted to adjourn the work session and convene an executive session to discuss the purchase, sale, exchange, lease, or market value of real property.
• Regular Meeting – Board Appointments Discussion: Commissioner McKenzie raised concerns about public perception that the Commission has authority over boards it appoints. County Attorney Brad explained that for state agencies (e.g., DHR), the Commission’s sole role is to appoint board members per statute; it has no management authority over state agencies. He clarified that any resolution directing a state agency would be null and void. Commissioner Ball added that state statutes mandate these appointments, and the Commission cannot exceed its granted powers.
• Regular Meeting – DHR Clarification: Commissioners emphasized that social media claims asserting Commission control over DHR are false. The county attorney reiterated that DHR is a state agency funded by the state, and the Commission cannot direct its operations.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Minutes: Minutes of the November 18, 2025 regular meeting were approved.
• Payment of Bills: Approved totaling $7,975,136.55 for 8,897 invoices.
• Ratified Interim Payments: Approved $4,933,699.44 for 102 invoices per Policy 8.1.
• Consent Agenda: Approved as amended.
• Appointments to North Baldwin County Health Care Authority: The Commission approved the following appointments:
  • James E. Ball to Place 2 (term January 1, 2026 – January 1, 2032);
  • Felicia Anderson to Place 3 (term July 2025 – 2030, replacing resigned Phyllis French);
  • Jason Hagen to Place 5 (term January 1, 2026 – January 1, 2032);
  • Carmen Still to Place 8 (term December 2025 – 2028, replacing resigned Lynn Biles);
  • Sarah L. Davis to Place 9 (term January 1, 2026 – January 1, 2032, replacing expired term of Robert Czar). (Commissioner Ball abstained from the vote.)
• Legal Clarification: The county attorney provided a formal explanation that the Commission has no authority over state agencies beyond appointing board members as required by statute.