Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting – June 2, 2026

The Baldwin County Commission held its pre-meeting work session at 9:00 AM and regular meeting at 10:00 AM on June 2, 2026. The meeting included a mid-year budget presentation, approval of minutes, bills, a consent agenda, a letter of support for a food distribution facility, and commissioner comments. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

• Administration (CA1–CA8): Revised Policy 2.10 (polling place hours/worker compensation), alcohol license for The Store Tensaw, tax abatement for Foley Industrial Development Board, absentee election duties for August 11, 2026 special primary, NACo 2026 voting credentials, Perdido Bay Water/Sewer/Fire Protection District board reappointment, Resolution #2026-101 (appropriation for Fort Mims re-enactment), Resolution #2026-102 (sales/use tax exemption for Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project).
• Archives & History (CC1): Baldwin County Historic Development Commission board resignation and appointment.
• Budget/Purchasing (CE1–CE8): Competitive bids for aftermarket truck parts, solar-powered message signs, 90-ton chiller at Fairhope satellite courthouse, HVAC upgrade at Bay Minette annex, digital orthophoto acquisition, construction of outdoor atrium and sally port at Bay Minette courthouse, and mid-year budget adjustments (Resolution #2026-096).
• Communications/Information Systems (CG1–CG2): Interoperability communications agreements with Silverhill Police and Volunteer Fire Departments, and software agreement with Brightly Software Inc. for asset management.
• Elected Officials (CI1–CI4): Sheriff’s Office sale of radios, laboratory services agreement with Baldwin Health, amended customer services agreement with Utility Associates, and service agreement with ICE for enforcement and removal operations.
• Highway (CO1–CO3): Engineering fee for Willie Cooper Road extension design, intergovernmental service agreement with City of Loxley for road maintenance, and rescheduling of July 16, 2026 Road and Bridge Division meeting.
• Personnel (CR1–CR9): Promotions, retitles, transfers, and employment actions across Coroner’s Office, Facilities Management, Finance, Highway Department, Juvenile Detention Center, Parks and Recreation, and Probate Office.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the work session or regular meeting.

Discussion Items

• Mid-Year Budget Review (Senior Staff Report): Beth presented a 10-year review (2016–2025) of revenues and expenses. Ad valorem tax increased 134%, sales tax increased 198%, state gas tax increased 81% (attributed to the Rebuild Alabama Act), while local gas tax increased only 21% and is projected to decrease 1% in 2026. Commissioners discussed Baldwin County’s status as a “donor county,” noting that much of the gas tax collected locally is distributed to rural counties. Population increased 28% (58,000 new residents), with household creation averaging 2,000 per year before a spike of 5,000 in 2022 and then 2,500 per year thereafter. Property insurance costs rose 45% in 2024 and are projected to increase 48% in 2026 to approximately $2 million, partly due to the new corrections facility ($500,000 standalone). Recommendations included stabilizing current position, pausing short-term projects to shift support to the 30Q program, focusing on longer-term facility planning using a building health index, and exploring enhanced revenue sources.
• Other Staff Recommendation (Conflict Letter): The commission adopted a conflict letter as a staff recommendation not listed on the original agenda. The motion passed without further details.
• GA1 – Letter of Support for Prodisee Pantry North Project: The commission approved a letter of support for the construction of a food distribution facility and resource center in Stockton, Alabama.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Minutes: May 21, 2026 regular meeting minutes (unanimous).
• Approved Bills: Payment of $5,541,558.70 for 798 invoices (unanimous).
• Ratified Interim Payments: $5,812,650.42 for 1,242 invoices (unanimous).
• Approved Consent Agenda: All items listed above (unanimous).
• Adopted Conflict Letter: Staff recommendation not on original agenda (unanimous).
• Approved Letter of Support: For Prodisee Pantry North Project (unanimous).
• Executive Session: The commission convened an executive session during the work session to discuss legal options for pending litigation, as requested by the county attorney.