Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on March 17, 2026, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. Commissioners present: Matthew P. McKenzie, Billie Jo Underwood, Charles F. Gruber; Commissioner James E. Ball was absent. The meeting included a work session at 9:00 AM, a regular session at 10:05 AM, and an executive session. Key actions included decisions on rezoning cases, approval of a major roadway project, adoption of an opioid settlement resolution, and authorization of the ICE 287(g) agreement.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes (March 3, 2026) – Approved 3-0.
• Payment of Bills – 620 invoices totaling $14,919,090.14; approved 3-0.
• Ratification of Interim Payments – 72 invoices totaling $6,183,769.08; approved 3-0.
• Consent Agenda – Approved as modified with the following items (all approved 3-0):
  • CA1: Policy 2.27 on Consumable Hemp Products License Applications.
  • CA2: Appointment of Wayne Gruenloh to Industrial Development Authority.
  • CC1: 2026 Christmas Drive-Thru Light Display at Bicentennial Park (Nov 30–Dec 23, 5-9 PM).
  • CC2: Olde Time Days event (Oct 3, 2026).
  • CE1-CE9: Various bid awards, budget amendments, and equipment rental.
  • CG1: Interoperability agreements with Elberta PD and Lillian VFD.
  • CI1: Authorization of ICE 287(g) Task Force Model Memorandum of Agreement (separate public comment below).
  • CI2: Transfer of five surplus sheriff’s vehicles to be sold on GovDeals.
  • CM1: FY 2026-2027 alcohol license fees.
  • CM2: Establishment of two $200 spare change drawers for Revenue Commission.
  • CN1: America250AL Semiquincentennial Grant application ($2,500).
  • CN2: First extension of FY 2025 ACAMP Grant ($50,000) – contingent on legal review.
  • CO1: Water main relocation agreement with East Central Baldwin County Water Authority.
  • CO3: Routine maintenance agreement with Orange Beach for Navy Road.
  • CO4: Transfer of vehicles between highway departments.
  • CQ1: Transfer of $250,000 GOMESA funding to Live Oak Landing Park enhancements.
  • CR1-CR10: Various personnel actions (lateral transfers, promotions, reclassifications).
  • CS1: Authorization to draft zoning ordinance amendments on solar farms, data centers, etc.
  • CS2: Reappointment of Michael Mullek to Planning and Zoning Commission.
  • CS3: Letter of support for Lillian Recreation Park Low Impact Development Project.
  • GA1: Acknowledgment of tax abatement for Buffalo Rock Company.
  • GA2: Approval of revenue bond for St. Michael Catholic High School refinancing.
  • GA3: FY 2027 ACAMP Grant application ($50,000) for Meadows Recreational Trails Master Plan.
  • GA4: Letters of support for $891,300 ICAC Unit funding.
• Items removed from consent: CO2 (pulled by assistant county engineer), CR3 (pulled by personnel director). CN2 was conditional pending receipt of extension agreement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Work Session – CI1 (ICE 287(g) Agreement): Two residents spoke in opposition.
  • Jennifer Levine (Baldwin County resident) expressed fear of racial profiling and wrongful detention, noting that in the first week of March 2026, 67 people were detained by ICE in Baldwin County, and 62 in the second week. She stated that many detainees have legal status and that families are left scrambling.
  • Deirdre Aycock (Stapleton resident) argued that the agreement increases liability for racial profiling, erodes public trust, and diverts local resources from violent crime investigation. She cited a Florida Phoenix article stating 75% of ICE detainees have no criminal record, and asked the commission to disapprove the agreement.
• Public Hearings – Rezoning Cases:
  • Z26-01 (Jones Property): Two adjacent property owners opposed the rezoning from RA to RSF-2.
    • Mikell Taylor (adjoining property owner) expressed concern about shared driveway access and traffic if the property is subdivided.
    • Sherry Smith (adjacent property owner) worried about stormwater runoff and the potential for multiple houses (up to 4-5 under RSF-2), which would change the rural character of Josephine Drive.
    • Pete Jones (applicant) stated the intent is to deed the property to his wife and allow future small homes for children, not a multi-family subdivision. He said a new driveway would be built from the blacktop, not affecting the existing deeded access.
  • Z26-02 (Woerner Farm Property): Two residents and the applicant’s engineer spoke.
    • Tracey Gambill (Elberta) opposed the 155-acre rezoning from RA to RSF-3, calling it sprawl that would create 620 homes (based on 10,000 sq ft lots) and add 1,240 people and vehicles. She cited a county survey showing 92% of citizens are concerned about sprawl, and noted that nearby municipalities have placed moratoriums on development. She questioned why the county’s Smart Growth scorecard (which gave a negative environmental impact score) would be ignored.
    • Larry Wade (Tholey, at the southeast corner of CR 12 and CR 65) detailed infrastructure concerns: 4,000 additional vehicle trips daily on already crowded two-lane roads, inadequate sewer capacity, and the need for millions in road widening (estimated $80–150 million for CR 65 alone). He noted 4,000–4,500 new homes are already planned in the area, requiring 3–5 elementary schools, costing $120–200 million each.
    • William Graham (Jade Consulting, engineer for the applicant) said the plan includes a regional stormwater pond (29–30 acres) to address area drainage, and the proposed 296 lots (less than half of the 620 cited) would be clustered. He stated that sewer capacity assurances, a traffic study, and road improvements to county standards would be required at the subdivision stage.
  • Z26-03 (Diamond Land & Cattle, LLC): One resident and the applicant’s engineer spoke.
    • Kevin Cornmayer (neighbor on Lawrence Road Extension) expressed concern about potential lights and traffic from a private equestrian arena, but lacked details.
    • Thomas Luce (Jade Consulting) clarified the facility is a private equestrian arena for the owner’s family and selective guests, with no public events, and staff recommended the rezoning to RA.
  • Z26-04 (Brown Hawk Landing, LLC): Three individuals spoke.
    • Eugene Labrato (adjacent farm owner) opposed the rezoning from M-1 to M-2, citing critical wetlands at the headwaters of Soldier’s Creek, excessive impervious surface, and the site being overrun with equipment. He argued the corridor has future residential potential.
    • Jeremy Brown (on behalf of Brown Helicopter) explained the company owns the property and has 13 warehouses for aviation parts. They are requesting M-2 zoning to build a 14th warehouse (50,000 sq ft) to store equipment currently outside, which will clean up the front of the property. They are open to a landscape buffer.
    • David Fitzpatrick (civil engineer) stated the site plan includes stormwater management and landscape buffers, and the rezoning is the first step to bring the site into compliance with M-2 zoning.

Discussion Items

• Item D – Presentation: Opioid Settlement Resolution – David Conner, county legal counsel, presented a resolution (2026-067) authorizing Baldwin County to join the State of Alabama and other local governments in settlements with several “Remnant Defendants” (pharmaceutical wholesalers). The settlement is subject to participation agreements and final execution. Commissioners approved the resolution 3-0.
• Item FO1 – 30 Cubed Program: Loxley Roadway Improvements – County Engineer Frank Lundy presented the seventh 30 Cubed project: a $16.3 million project to extend Bedrock Boulevard from US 31 near Spanish Fort to State Route 59 in Loxley, including a new 500-foot bridge over Fish River. The project is funded and managed entirely by local governments (county and city). Greg Smith, representing the City of Loxley, highlighted the regional impact, traffic congestion relief, and improved first responder access. The agreement was approved 3-0.
• Purchase of Property at 102 E. 5th Street, Bay Minette – County Administrator Roger Rendleman requested authorization to purchase the property for $250,000 including closing costs, noting it was discussed in executive session. The property will allow a campus-like approach to the master plan for county facilities near the courthouse and jail. Approved 3-0.
• Commissioner Comments – Commissioner Underwood defended the 287(g) program, stating she was trained in it and that officers are held to a high standard with probable cause requirements. She also praised staff for transparency and the county’s online resources. Vice Chairman Gruber thanked the Spanish Fort Junior City Council for attending.

Key Outcomes

• ICE 287(g) Agreement (CI1) – Approved as part of the consent agenda. The agreement authorizes the Sheriff’s Office to enter into a Task Force Model with ICE for enforcement and removal operations, with quarterly stipends up to $7,500 per credentialed officer for overtime reimbursement.
• Rezoning Decisions:
  • Z26-01 (Jones Property) – Denied (2-1 vote: Underwood and Gruber in favor of denial, McKenzie opposed). The 4.13-acre property was requested to rezone from RA to RSF-2.
  • Z26-02 (Woerner Farm Property) – Denied (3-0 vote). The 155.5-acre property was requested to rezone from RA to RSF-3.
  • Z26-03 (Diamond Land & Cattle, LLC) – Approved (3-0 vote). The 95.91-acre property was rezoned from BCZ to RA for a private equestrian facility.
  • Z26-04 (Brown Hawk Landing, LLC) – Approved (3-0 vote). The 20-acre property was rezoned from M-1 to M-2 for continued industrial use.
• Opioid Settlement Resolution – Adopted 3-0, authorizing participation in settlements with the named defendants.
• 30 Cubed Loxley Project – Approved 3-0. The City of Loxley will maintain the new roadway segments within its limits.
• Property Purchase – Approved 3-0 to purchase 102 E. 5th Street, Bay Minette, for $250,000 including closing costs.
• Executive Session – The commission held an executive session at 9:20 AM to discuss pending litigation and real property considerations; the work session did not reconvene.