The Wayne County Commission met in regular session on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the County Administrative Building. County Executive Jim Mangubat called the meeting to order. Commissioners in attendance were Tom Mathis, Logan Shull, Kathryn Staggs, Sherrie Powers, Colby McDonald, Tyler McDonald, David Martin, Vickie Petty, Jeremy Heard, Stan Hanback, Stephen Pevahouse, Alvin Creecy, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough. Commissioner Patrick Butler was absent.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous commission meeting as presented. Commissioner Hanback seconded the motion, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
Commissioner Kelley next made a motion to approve the minutes from the various committee meetings. Commissioner Creecy seconded, and the committee minutes were unanimously approved as well.
County Clerk Stan Horton presented the following to serve as notaries: Ricky Richardson, Mackenzie VanBuren, Natalie Mallard, Demarie Davis, Kimberly Baker, Amanda Ray, Kendrick Smith, Sr., and Guy Hoefling. Commissioner Powers made a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Pevahouse. The motion carried unanimously.
Next on the agenda was a grant for recycling for which the Solid Waste Department has requested permission to apply. The grant will require a 10% match from the county. Commissioner Powers made a motion to approve the Solid Waste Department’s application for the grant. Commissioner Kelley seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
An update on the water line situation in southern Wayne County was next. County Executive Mangubat said that he had spoken with State Senator Page Walley and asked the Senator to send a letter of request to an Alabama State Senator. Senator Walley’s letter would make a recommendation that West Lauderdale, AL take over operations of water from Tennessee along Highway 69.
An employee insurance increase was next on the agenda. County Executive Mangubat discussed the insurance options with the commission and stated that he and other officials felt that option 2 would be the best for the county employees due to the increase in premiums on the current plan. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Powers. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Next, Commissioner Mathis made a motion to re-appoint Jerry Duren and Mike Smith to serve as members of the county’s Industrial Development Board. Commissioner Pevahouse seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Frank Quigley, spokesperson for the Southgate Volunteer Fire Department, addressed the commission next. He asked that to better serve the citizens of the south part of the county, the old Fairview School building should be demolished to make way for a new helipad to be used for Air Evac and LifeFlight helicopters. Mr. Quigley also requested that the county donate the approximately four acres of land where the old school stands to the Southgate VFD. Commissioner Mathis asked that Mr. Quigley present his request to the Building Committee at their meeting next month, and Mr. Quigley agreed.
Commissioner Mathis next made a motion to name the 4th floor meeting room in honor of the late Herbert Brewer and O.C. Berry, who both served on the County Commission for many years. Commissioner Pevahouse seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Department reports were next on the agenda. Solid Waste Director Robert Hayes presented the C&D revenue report and the mileage report. Hayes also requested to declare the surplus of a 1990s GMC two-ton truck. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the vehicle as surplus, and Commissioner Creecy seconded. The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
Highway Superintendent Chuck Moser gave a report on roads to be chipped and sealed in the near future, which include Lower Beech Creek Road and Rayburn Creek Road.
Sheriff Shane Fisher gave a brief oral report on the jail and the Sherriff’s Office.
Meeting attendee Chris Andrews asked how to go about obtaining county records. County Executive Mangubat said that Mr. Andrews may contact his office, fill out a Public Records form, and make his request known. After completing this process, the records can be provided to Mr. Andrews.
Commissioner Mathis then asked about the TDOT property on Taylor Street.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Colby McDonald made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mathis seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.
