Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Baldwin County Commission held its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Baldwin County Administration Building, Bay Minette, after a pre-meeting work session at 9:00 AM. The meeting included adoption of minutes, payment of bills, approval of a consent agenda with multiple administrative items, three proclamations, and extensive public comment on beach safety and a proposed large-scale solar development. No public hearings were conducted.

Consent Calendar

• Payment of Bills (BA1): Approved 806 invoices and distributions totaling $20,301,109.97.
• Ratification of Interim Payments (BA2): Approved 59 invoices and distributions totaling $6,398,870.85 per Policy 8.1.
• Alcohol Licenses: Approved Special Retail license for Lillian Community Club and Special Events Retail license for Bottles Up Mobile Inc. d/b/a Weeks Bay Plantation (May 16–17, 2026).
• Recognition of Disaster & Victim Services (CA3): Recognized as a search and rescue unit under Alabama Code Section 45-2-142.01, eligible for public funds.
• Resolution #2026-090 (CA4): Requesting Alabama Attorney General’s opinion on temporary moratoriums in unincorporated Baldwin County.
• Pole Barn Construction (CE1): Awarded lowest quote of $24,398.00 to DT Construction, LLC for Bicentennial Park in Stockton.
• Copy Machine Rental (CE2): Authorized 36-month rental of Sharp BP-71C45 at $235.08/month with per-copy charges ($0.0055 B/W, $0.0455 color) for the Foley office.
• Budget Amendment (CE3): Adopted Resolution #2026-088 recognizing new revenue and reallocating funds.
• Interoperability Agreements (CG1): Approved three-year agreements with Elsanor, Rabun, and Elberta Volunteer Fire Departments for use of the 700/800 MHz system.
• IT Management Agreements (CG2, CG3): Terminated prior agreements with City of Bay Minette Municipal Court and Police Department, approved new three-year agreements for computer system administration.
• Polimorphic Platform (CG4): Approved price quotation with Carahsoft Technology Corp.
• Surplus Equipment Sale (CG5): Authorized online auction of desktops, laptops, and UPS via GovDeals.com.
• Grant Allocations (CN1): Approved use of $39,279.20 in Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds (LATCF) and $3,046.24 in ARPA interest for courthouse improvements (air purifiers, thermostats, painting, access-control doors).
• Opioid Settlement Program (CN2): Adopted Resolution #2026-081 approving the Baldwin County Commission Opioid Settlement Funding Program.
• Coroner’s Grant (CN3): Approved submittal of a $20,000 community development grant application to Gulf Coast RC&D for Randox toxicology kits.
• Lillian Park Shoreline Project (CO1): Approved Amendment No. 4 adding $60,001 in RESTORE funding, extending performance to December 31, 2028.
• Dogwood Estates Maintenance Bond Release (CO2): Released $491,082.79 bond for road and drainage improvements.
• Surplus Donation (CO3): Donated a 2018 K&K Message Board to Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department for surf condition alerts.
• Equipment Auction (CO4): Approved June 16–18, 2026 auction list at J.M. Wood Auction Company.
• Traffic Signal Agreement (CO5): Adopted Resolution #2026-091 and agreement with ALDOT for operation and maintenance of a traffic signal on State Highway 104 at Saint Michael Way.
• Equipment Transfers (CO6): Approved transfers of two 2026 Mack dump trucks between highway maintenance areas.
• Utility Easement (CO7): Granted 15-foot easement to Riviera Utilities for City of Foley First Responders' Storm Shelter.
• Personnel Actions (CR1–CR4): Approved lateral transfers, promotions (including salary increases to $15.58–$22.91/hour), and a new hire in the Probate Office.
• Leave of Absence (GA1): Approved unpaid leave for a Sales and Use Tax employee for up to three months.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beach Safety: Janet Appleby (State Senate District 32 candidate) and Roy Browning (County Commission District 3 candidate) proposed that all rental properties and hotels provide visitors a water safety information sheet and obtain a signed acknowledgment. Chair Ball suggested they submit a form to legal counsel. Commissioner Underwood directed them to EMA Director Tom Tyler and Community Relations Manager Jessica Waters to coordinate with the existing BEach SAFE Campaign.
• Large-Scale Solar Development in Stockton: Eleven residents spoke in favor of a moratorium on large-scale solar projects. Concerns included environmental impacts to the Tensaw River and Delta, road damage, sediment runoff, fire hazards (citing the Black Bear Solar Farm in Montgomery), lack of firefighter training, toxic panel materials, and threats to Native American cultural sites (including a documented protohistoric mound complex and the Fort Mims Massacre site). Speakers urged a 180-day moratorium to study impacts. Georgene Conner, President of the Stockton Heritage Association, stated that a moratorium "is the right thing to do." Valeria Paige James provided research on solar farm impacts. Stephanie Rolin described her property's recognized Native American archaeological significance. Brandi Robinson asked for a general 180-day moratorium on any unprecedented projects. Commissioners responded that they are limited by state statute and have requested an Attorney General’s opinion (Resolution #2026-090) to determine their legal authority to impose a moratorium. Commissioner Underwood noted the Commission is not incentivizing the project and is acting within the law.

Presentations

• Older Americans Month Proclamation (DA1): Declared May 2026 as Older Americans Month. Kelly Childress (Council on Aging Director) highlighted the theme "Champion Your Health" and presented to Yolanda Parnell. Commissioners praised COA services. Unanimously adopted.
• BEach SAFE Week Proclamation (DA2): Declared May 18–25, 2026 as BEach SAFE Week. Tom Tyler (EMA Director) explained the campaign’s goal to educate visitors about rip currents and encouraged signing up for surf alerts by texting "AL BEACHES" to 888-777. Unanimously adopted.
• Children's Mental Health Awareness Week Proclamation (DA3): Declared May 3–9, 2026 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. Robin Riggins (AltaPointe Health) discussed mental health stigma and the need for early intervention. Unanimously adopted.

Discussion Items

• Solar Development Moratorium: The primary discussion item was a proposed moratorium on industrial-scale solar projects. Commissioners reiterated their reliance on state law and the ongoing request for an Attorney General’s opinion. Chair Ball stated that the resolution to seek the opinion was on the consent agenda and that a moratorium vote was not scheduled. Commissioner Underwood clarified that the Commission is not offering tax incentives to the developer. No action on a moratorium was taken.
• Traffic Signal at Saint Michael Way (CO5): Michael Druhan, President of St. Michael Catholic High School Advisory Council, thanked the Commission for partnering with ALDOT to install a traffic signal at Highway 104 and Saint Michael Way, which he stated would be in place by fall. Commissioner McKenzie noted the county invested in connecting roads. The item was approved as part of the consent agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Adopted minutes of April 21, 2026 Regular Meeting (4-0).
• Bills Paid: Payment of $20,301,109.97 and ratification of $6,398,870.85 in interim payments (both 4-0).
• Consent Agenda Approved: Including Resolution #2026-090 requesting an Attorney General’s opinion on temporary moratoriums (4-0).
• Proclamations Adopted: Older Americans Month, BEach SAFE Week, and Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (all 4-0).
• Leave of Absence Approved: For a Sales and Use Tax employee, effective May 4, 2026 for up to three months (4-0).
• Next Steps: The Commission will await the Attorney General’s opinion before taking any action on a solar moratorium. The beach safety education proposal will be forwarded to legal counsel for review. Surf alert sign-up encouraged via text.