Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on December 16, 2025, following a pre-meeting work session. The commission addressed routine consent items, multiple zoning and development proposals, received a presentation on the county’s first narrative budget book, and heard public comments. Key actions included approval of a funding request for AltaPointe Health, approval of several rezoning and development plans, and tabling one rezoning case. Commissioners also announced holiday events and extended holiday wishes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of December 2, 2025, with a correction to the number of sheriff’s take-home vehicles (from 103 to 203, total 244).
• Payment of bills: 715 invoices totaling $12,375,687.24.
• Ratification of interim payments per policy 8.1.
• Consent agenda approved (as discussed in work session), with the addition of FE1 – Funding request from AltaPointe Health for Assisted Outpatient Treatment/Crisis Response Team ($387,000 from contingency, offset by opioid settlement funds as able).
• Numerous consent items including alcohol license (Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs), generator purchases for EMA and courthouses, police pursuit vehicles, hardware/software licenses, book preservation, digital orthophoto acquisition, engineering services, sewer line at corrections center, property sketch verification pilot, budget amendments, fiber renewal, emergency management agreements, policy revisions (cash handling, petty cash, financial management), right-of-way donations, highway contracts, striping request for Stapleton School, juvenile detention vehicle, personnel actions, and planning board reappointments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pre-meeting work session: A representative for Sea Glade at St. Andrews Bay offered to answer questions about U.S. Fish and Wildlife permitting but was directed to speak during the public hearing.
• Public hearings (Regular meeting):
  • Hahn Property rezoning: Randy Fittek expressed opposition, stating the proposed warehouse use was more industrial than commercial and inconsistent with the area.
  • Lett Property rezoning: No public opposition; applicant and engineer spoke in support for a drive-through restaurant.
  • Sea Glade at St. Andrews Bay PRD: Several residents spoke in opposition, citing drainage issues, flooding, storm surge, rental nature of the development, increased traffic, pedestrian safety, and lack of adequate stormwater management. One resident noted 108 platted lots existing by right, and argued the PRD reduces density. The developer’s representative clarified that the project reduces lots from 108 to 27, clusters homes, and is required to comply with an Incidental Take Permit for the Alabama beach mouse, limiting alteration of natural topography.
  • Other cases: No public comment on Stanley or Pallet One.

Discussion Items

• Pre-meeting work session:
  • Commissioner Underwood reported on a legislative conference presentation about procurement cards as a safer alternative to open purchase orders, and requested a future work session on the topic.
  • Commissioner McKenzie proposed a one-time holiday on January 2, 2026, for county employees. After discussion, the proposal did not move forward due to budget concerns and the need to serve the public (property tax deadlines). The commission agreed to consider such holidays during future budget discussions.
  • AltaPointe Health funding: Staff presented a request to fund a Crisis Response Team program for one year ($387,000 from contingency), with potential offset from opioid settlement funds. The item was moved to the consent agenda and later approved.
  • Senior staff reports: County Attorney noted that two consent items (CM3 and CE13) increase the reserve from 30% to 35%, adding approximately $9 million to reserves, strengthening the county’s financial position. Also, the county’s first narrative budget book was presented.
• Regular meeting:
  • Presentation: Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission recognized winners of the fourth-grade essay contest; two students read their essays. Commissioners thanked the veterans and students.
  • Budget Book Presentation: Staff (Beth and Lindsay) presented the new interactive digital budget book, which includes departmental stories, clickable links, and enhanced transparency. The book is available online.
• Public Hearings:
  • Bertolla property (ES1): Applicant requested tabling; commission approved tabling to the second meeting in February 2026, with re-noticing.
  • Stanley property (ES2): Rezone from BCZ to RR for a home and tree service parking. Staff analysis noted non-support on scorecard, but discussion highlighted that the lot was only 2 acres and RR was the most appropriate use. Approved unanimously.
  • Hahn property (ES3): Rezone from BCZ to B2 for office/warehouse. Public opposition. Approved unanimously after noting the area includes commercial uses.
  • Lett property (ES4): Rezone from B2 to B3 for a drive-through restaurant. Staff found consistency with future land use due to a neighborhood center node. Approved unanimously.
  • Pallet One PID (ES5): Planned industrial development for two new warehouse canopies to store existing pallets, with reduced parking. Staff recommended approval with condition that any future expansions return for site plan approval. Approved unanimously.
  • Sea Glade at St. Andrews Bay PRD (ES6): Planned residential development reducing 108 platted lots to 27 single-family homes on pilings, with conservation area for Alabama beach mouse. Deviations included building height (two and a half stories) and stormwater management. Staff explained that the PRD allows adaptive design for critical habitat, and subdivision process will address drainage. Commission approved unanimously after public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to table Bertolla rezoning to second meeting of February 2026 passed unanimously.
• Approved (all unanimously):
  • Stanley property rezoning (Z25-56)
  • Hahn property rezoning (Z25-57)
  • Lett property rezoning (Z25-59)
  • Pallet One PID site plan (PID25-01)
  • Sea Glade at St. Andrews Bay PRD site plan (PRD25-06)
• Approved consent agenda (including FE1 – AltaPointe Health funding) unanimously.
• Approved purchase of property at 100 East Fifth Street, Bay Minette for county use, via assignment of purchase agreement.
• Approved minutes, payment of bills, and interim payments.
• No action on proposed January 2 holiday; staff to consider in future budget cycle.
• Next steps: Staff to re-notice Bertolla hearing; county attorney to draft agreement with AltaPointe; budget book to be published online; future work session on procurement cards possible.