Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – May 21, 2026

The Baldwin County Commission held a pre-meeting work session at 9:00 AM and a regular meeting at 10:07 AM on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. All four commissioners (James E. Ball, Matthew P. McKenzie, Billie Jo Underwood, Charles F. Gruber) were present. The work session included presentations on AltaPointe Health’s Stepping Up Initiative and the ARPA project progress report. The regular meeting adopted minutes, approved routine financial items, a consent agenda with 30+ items, recognized a retiree, conducted seven public hearings on zoning cases, and concluded with commissioner comments.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes – Approved unanimously the May 5, 2026, Regular Meeting minutes.
• Payment of Bills – Approved 799 invoices totaling $3,485,400.23 (unanimous).
• Ratification of Interim Payments – Approved 441 invoices totaling $3,643,966.91 (unanimous).
• Consent Agenda – Approved all items in the consent agenda including the addendum item GA1 (Notice of Termination for a Letter of Agreement with Infirmary Health System, Inc., effective June 20, 2026). Items included:
  • FY 2027 Section 5307 Urbanized Area Transit Grant application ($703,786 federal).
  • FY 2027 Section 5311 Rural Transit Grant application (Resolution #2026-093 and #2026-094; up to $1,529,719 local match).
  • Change Order No. 1 for BRATS fence/gates ($2,500 with Howell Fencing).
  • Bid award for guardrail grader attachment ($54,770.83 to T K Industries).
  • Bid award for emulsified asphalt to Hunt Refining and Blacklidge Emulsions.
  • Certificate of Substantial Completion and Allowance Authorization No. 1 for courthouse atrium ($38,450.25 from contingency).
  • Allowance Authorization No. 1 for courthouse sally port ($99,044.84 from contingency).
  • Engineering/environmental services contracts: Mullet Point Park with Goodwyn Mills Cawood ($407,500) and Perdido Bay Park with JADE Consulting ($199,984).
  • Pre-qualification advertising for courthouse renovations.
  • Storefront doors purchase/installation for Robertsdale Annex ($39,800 to Port City Glass & Mirror).
  • Revised GovOS proposal for marriage record upload conversion ($7,000).
  • Vehicle transfer from Sheriff’s Office to CIS Department (2016 Ford F250).
  • Sale of surplus equipment via GovDeals.com (14 laptops, 24 desktops + 8 laptops in lots).
  • Revenue Commission insolvents/errors/taxes report for 2025 approved.
  • Transfer of nine Sheriff’s Office vehicles to be sold on GovDeals.com.
  • Lease of 1.03 acres to Solid Waste Disposal Authority for Robertsdale CHaRM facility ($1/year).
  • Purchase of two Ford Escapes for Facilities Management ($62,471).
  • Contract to Audit Federal Awards with State Examiners of Public Accounts (March 2026–March 2027).
  • Acceptance of America250AL Semiquincentennial Grant ($2,500 for America 250 Concert on June 26, 2026).
  • Road acceptance for Sherwood Grove Phase 2 (Westerlund Loop, 3,848 ft, 20 ft asphalt width; surety $335,717.50).
  • Intergovernmental Service Agreement with City of Bay Minette for road striping (estimated $6,144.92).
  • Speed limits established on Merchant Lane (25 MPH), Juniper Street North (35 MPH), and lowered on Robin Road (25 MPH).
  • Personnel actions: employment of Don Milliron (Operator Technician I, $20.08/hr), Samuel Bishop and Carlos Gutierrez (Landscape Technicians I, $19.00/hr and $17.88/hr), demotion of Bradley Johns ($20.75/hr); employment of Victoria Wickersham (License Revenue Officer I, $17.88/hr).
  • Acceptance of Notice of Intent for Planning and Zoning Referendum in District 2.

Presentations

• Retiree Recognition – Susan Hill, Administrative Support Specialist IV at the Revenue Commission, was recognized for 16 years of service. Commissioner Teddy Faust praised her dedication. The commission thanked her.

Discussion Items

Work Session Reports

• AltaPointe Health – Stepping Up Initiative – CEO Tuerk Schlesinger presented on crisis response teams, iPad-based virtual assessments for law enforcement (24/7 access to clinicians), crisis intervention training for officers, and the Stepping Up post-arrest diversion/reentry program for mentally ill inmates. He noted that 37% of AltaPointe’s 220 psychiatric beds are used by Baldwin County. Commissioner Underwood described the statewide effort that resulted in all 67 Alabama counties committing to the Stepping Up program. Commissioner Ball shared his personal experience with crisis intervention training and praised AltaPointe’s services.
• ARPA Project Progress: By the Numbers – County Administrator Roger Rendleman highlighted the Investing in Alabama Counties (IAC) program, noting no audit findings for participants. Grants Director Brian Underwood reported that over $43 million in ARPA funds have been administered. Remaining $1.9 million must be spent by December 31, 2026. Completion status: water/sewer 96%, HVAC/facilities 90%, highway improvements 96%. Commissioner McKenzie inquired about consequences of missing the deadline; Mr. Underwood confirmed unspent funds would be returned to Treasury but expressed confidence in meeting the deadline.

Public Hearings – Planning and Zoning Cases

All seven cases received unanimous 4-0 votes (except Coburn which was tabled).

• Case Z26-08 (Coburn Property) – Tabled at applicant’s request. Commissioner Underwood noted proximity to Silverhill’s town limits and the mayor’s email expressing concerns about density and comprehensive planning. Final action: unanimous vote to table.
• Case Z26-09 (Hilderbrandt Property) – Rezoning from RSF-1 to RSF-2 on 1.27 acres in Lillian. Applicant John Hilderbrandt said he wanted to divide the lot for family support. Unanimous approval (Resolution #2026-082).
• Case Z26-10 (Schonemann Property) – Rezoning from BCZ to RSF-1 on 6.7 acres north of Fairhope. Representative Chris Lieb from Lieb Engineering answered questions. Unanimous approval (Resolution #2026-083).
• Case Z26-11 (Fralick Property) – Rezoning from RSF-2 to RA on 10.28 acres near Silverhill. No public speakers. Unanimous approval (Resolution #2026-084).
• Case Z26-12 (Gillis Property) – Rezoning from BCZ to RR on 0.97 acres along US 98 for an auto repair shop. Discussion about the 125-foot highway construction setback. Property owner Gerald Gillis confirmed awareness and stated the existing slab meets the setback. Commissioner Underwood expressed concerns about challenges but not opposition. Unanimous approval (Resolution #2026-085).
• Case Z26-13 (BOE Road Property, LLC) – Rezoning from BCZ to B-1 on 2.75 acres in Fairhope for commercial use. Commissioner Underwood noted the original designations seemed inappropriate but approved. Unanimous approval (Resolution #2026-086).
• Case Z26-14 (Robison Property) – Rezoning partially from RSF-1 and RTF-4 to exclusively RTF-4 on 2.5 acres north of Lillian to resolve nonconforming use. Unanimous approval (Resolution #2026-087).

Key Outcomes

• All votes during the regular meeting were unanimous (4-0) on every item.
• The consent agenda was approved with the addition of Addendum Item GA1 (termination of Infirmary Health agreement).
• One zoning case (Coburn) was tabled; all others were approved as recommended.
• The commission recognized Susan Hill’s retirement and noted that planner Cory Rhodes is leaving for a position with the City of Foley.
• Commissioners closed with comments about Memorial Day, thanking poll workers, and reflections on the recent election and the challenges of county governance.