[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6059719,"mediaKeyId","3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0","parentId",3293908,"title","State, Jackson County discuss new Mud Creek boat-ramp agreement, county maintenance role","audioSeconds",299,"startMs",509000,"endMs",808000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0&start=509&end=808","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0/thumbnail_509000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059719/Jackson-County/Alabama/State-Jackson-County-discuss-new-Mud-Creek-boat-ramp-agreement-county-maintenance-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059719-b178f6628acaa6df3cd26c399bf911a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775521026&Signature=on98Zf6fbfcN~c8r4zUuARnx6v8XQDWANvgrjtT-vALRypv9IDpvhK8IBK6022IGmZd-ApoKiLEWYou~fTTveBxs6Z644EA6gW8M0KERmkBGKvOWMSo0bHKTrdhpdhfabqe2cH3NqVuCJ4Pvln0ebEyL-W8eDDKdhoIZ2bFFhRrIjSqL35tPJAf6UtGRRjOc3FAIWEL3vgDVDUSZsZnjzRYYT7dgzNLSrQleYLmQ5DULnTysj9xWrmFOg8cGwexnO3SUkOGuhQiEgj~I8sz0o~SrnUG5VIVtsA1MeI~8yOjCx2kkcsEd31zU8qj8eMg21vPtcLOLtBsw1f2iGHqDqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jackson County, Alabama","date","2025-05-12T19:10:31Z","article","Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries representatives outlined a draft agreement April 30 for a new boat ramp and other boating-access improvements in Jackson County and asked the Jackson County Commission to take the agreement up as new business for future approval.

The state will fund capital construction and regulatory permitting for a proposed new Mud Creek North ramp and other access-area improvements, while the county would have primary responsibility for routine maintenance at Mud Creek North, the existing Mud Creek facility and Langston Road, the agency said. The state representative said the new Mud Creek facility is estimated at about $2,000,000 and that the state can reimburse Jackson County up to $75,000 per ramp per year for nonroutine maintenance that the county agrees to perform and invoice under state procurement constraints.

The discussion matters because it pairs state capital investment with county operations. “We rely on cooperating partners whether cities, counties to help us maintain it for the mutual benefit of… the citizens of Jackson County and the state of Alabama,” said Keith Henderson, fisheries development coordinator for Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Henderson listed other county projects the agency is funding, including parking improvements at Crow Creek, a new pier at Raccoon Creek and upgrades to five waterfowl access areas used for hunting and nonmotorized boats.

Commissioners asked about the specific maintenance responsibilities and about lighting and restrooms. Henderson said Mud Creek (existing) is lit and that the state will install lights at Mud Creek North; other smaller access points likely are not lit. He said restrooms are not standard in the program but could be discussed as an added feature. The state representative said that, beyond routine maintenance, the $75,000 fund is intended for occasional nonroutine repairs when state procurement would otherwise slow response or when the county can perform work more cheaply and be reimbursed.

Chairman Nance and county staff asked about plans and maps; Henderson said finalized plans and the agreement were just completed and that he would email plans to county staff. Henderson described the agreement as consolidating several older arrangements into one document covering Mud Creek North, Mud Creek, Langston Road, Long Island, North Sautee and Raccoon Creek so responsibilities are clearer.

No vote took place. Commissioners agreed to place the draft agreement on a forthcoming meeting agenda for formal consideration and asked staff to circulate the plans before that meeting. Henderson said the project is in permitting and that construction is anticipated “anywhere from the end of this year to the beginning of next year,” pending permits.

Background: Henderson described the state’s recent funding increase for boating access programs and said the agency is using those funds to improve multiple sites in Jackson County. The state’s approach in the draft agreement is to provide capital and limited reimbursement while relying on local partners for routine upkeep.

Next steps: County staff will receive the final plans and the agreement will be added to new business at a future commission meeting for formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries representatives outlined a draft agreement April 30 for a new boat ramp and other boating-access improvements in Jackson County and asked the Jackson County Commission to take the agreement up as new business for future approval.","taxTitle","taxId",13443,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6059704,"County engineer reports completion of County Road 32 culvert replacement; patching program priorities discussed",283,2200000,2483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0&start=2200&end=2483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6059704/Jackson-County/Alabama/County-engineer-reports-completion-of-County-Road-32-culvert-replacement-patching-program-priorities-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059704-ddc149cff53c7627ec768ba4e02e49e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775521026&Signature=DC7AOnbyObiE1BaYhwxU5sH3KN-yA4OneYEWPWgxrVDfOtMmFdT8u4HPY0CaPtuRCCbgM2KPa9auSGiO88qY87NEGDhJ5LapuCUFLijZqIlb6Vqe963B9dotsChf0vLV4Ja0tg2u4Ht1R4n1ROITtCP4CuJl0Chmc8GstA~QUpYesoCKPQTW3b11acShWhMoE4L~XZaTGnY1MtzqC4xiMKoPFDIEboDMizsJfEOVwnwMn~QvZwxg6bUnvy9AGc9504N7NtUixzEwIITP-RHjbN4swI2RzQ5NCQWZXKxiIeIM4S-ZCYXfq4Y1HceiNQdi~3hQ6diHTU4l6EIm4ELamg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson County’s engineer told the commission April 30 that a precast, two-barrel culvert replacement on County Road 32 is complete, paving has been applied and the roadway is being returned to service. Staff also reviewed ongoing patching priorities and upcoming projects including County Road 365 and Webb Drive.

The project replaced a worn structure that had received a 4-ton rating, removing degraded masonry and precast sections and installing new modular precast sections with stone scour protection and geotextile layers under the approach fills. The engineer displayed photos of demolition, placement of precast segments with crane lifts, bedding and fine grading and said the roadway had been paved after the structure installation.

“Each piece of this is a truckload… that comes in modular, and then it's constructed piece by piece,” the engineer said, describing the tongue-and-groove nesting, gasket installation and field-fitting required for precast sections. The engineer said work was subject to weather delays and that constructability required coordination of crane and ground crews.

The engineer said County Road 365 (another formerly four-ton structure) is the next major project and that patching crews are managing a rolling list of more than 200 roads. The county organizes patching both geographically and chronologically so crews can prioritize the oldest and most severe work orders while attempting geographic efficiency; the engineer asked commissioners to flag urgent locations to ensure they receive timely attention.

No formal action was taken; commissioners thanked engineering and public-works staff for the work and for photos documenting the project progress.

Next steps: Crews will continue patching rotations and advance County Road 365 and other planned projects; staff will coordinate drainage work and pavement prep needed before final paving on specific roads.","The county engineer briefed the commission on a completed modular precast culvert replacement on County Road 32, paving follow-up and ongoing patching priorities across the county; two other projects (County Road 365 and Webb Drive) were discussed as next steps",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6059709,"Jackson County authorizes coroner to cremate two indigent bodies; commission to develop streamlined policy",290,3028000,3318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0&start=3028&end=3318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0/thumbnail_3028000.jpg","/articles/6059709/Jackson-County/Alabama/Jackson-County-authorizes-coroner-to-cremate-two-indigent-bodies-commission-to-develop-streamlined-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059709-b3536c550c4d4f13dfc2b2aefde49667/orig.mp4?Expires=1775521026&Signature=AZeo-j4qgAapHR7y0ErQKztcO8CddSAERdfprB~xlxMPQYkOVX67ifVZ0Tvf01-0chlEEDQ5EkHGOzhu1qiB-CLyGfaM4WYu5AaOEVEl50WFFs1q-kNliOg-OApERwiXNk-gXbY3PCOuNKHdumxKZi8-OoQX8r0ir6Quz8cPdTAAlnhZxbmyuFPsby4ej3ZRs68mQqvH~b1jaXEK3CjWGyeAosudTSRmEX9nYSZU~R7bhXWmYJiQHFebVqo-cKfB6IWbV67ikiDKxlQOS3b1DSfv-iBCnaOhpT5z~eSjYrWJykt84vU~VBPWZH2MpFQrlRlHHuodtidgdlBDakQ0NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jackson County Commission voted April 30 to authorize the county coroner to cremate and dispose of two indigent bodies and asked staff to develop a standing policy to streamline future similar approvals.

Probate and county officials said both decedents lacked family able or willing to arrange disposition and that cremation represents the county’s least-cost option. “John David is communicating with Scott Bergman about cremation. That’s the cheapest route,” a speaker said during the meeting.

Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the coroner’s request by voice vote. The meeting record shows the commission also directed staff to draft sample policy language so the probate judge or the chairman could approve minimal-disposition expenditures without requiring the coroner to appear each time.

County staff said funds for indigent dispositions come from the county general fund and that the county is legally required to provide care for indigent decedents. No specific dollar amounts were recorded in the vote; staff agreed to request low-cost cremation quotes from local providers and to return with proposed policy language at a future meeting.

Next steps: Staff will solicit lowest available cremation quotes and draft a policy authorizing the chairman or probate judge to approve low-cost dispositions on behalf of the county for future indigent cases.","The commission approved a motion authorizing the county coroner to cremate and dispose of two indigent bodies and directed staff to draft a standing policy allowing quicker approvals in future cases",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6059714,"Sheriff, commissioners consider reestablishing paid litter-control position to supervise inmate crews",222,1336000,1558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0&start=1336&end=1558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293908-bf7cc7cbcabea6331582124fe27e5fe0/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6059714/Jackson-County/Alabama/Sheriff-commissioners-consider-reestablishing-paid-litter-control-position-to-supervise-inmate-crews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059714-8af20ae423a4da94746cf11653599a35/orig.mp4?Expires=1775521026&Signature=nm3K4m1rj-RGZy1lowkO9y9ryyteJOlpiNSfcq0zwK8JgHdrav1fIFv6KUiYZMEUUQrGiKYpekdo7W8QoWYWv1n9tljFqlA8t38KuweuNzqjq~Mqd0qmyvMNf~3DCq-ErIgGKRMa1HpvJS5dQH-zJonGoIkgHjU9m7RTWPeZfKyrbG9kMoUUbiDjTfd5uOQ1aPa2rwVarqyxPs20s83qtGThBigGqWz8QkTHtwxnhy5~R0LZyD3FxK87hI455BF03n~iifOm1tjZByHFG9IBvjpcXBH83tkkmkh6JUq8tIG2nxNOcoBzzoI4f0HlvPAp3-R0nIR2TK~FolRs2g~pJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson County commissioners and the sheriff discussed April 30 creating a full-time position to supervise inmate litter crews and other county maintenance tasks, following years of volunteer service by reserve captain Cecil Wells.

The sheriff told commissioners that Wells had volunteered to supervise inmate crews after the position was eliminated during budget cuts, and that Wells’ health is declining. “We’re never gonna find a volunteer like him,” the sheriff said, arguing the county should consider reestablishing the job as a paid corrections deputy.

County staff said the proposed position would be a corrections-deputy assignment responsible for supervising inmate crews that pick up roadside trash and perform other maintenance duties. The preliminary salary range discussed was grade 5, step 1, “which is gonna be in the neighborhood of… $47,000,” a county official said. Staff also noted the county already has a van and trailer that the position would use.

Commissioners asked about job description, oversight and inmate supervision risks. County staff said they would draft a job description, update the organizational chart, and share the materials with the commission for review. No formal hiring or budget appropriation took place during the meeting.

If approved, commissioners said the hire could be filled either by hiring a new corrections deputy to supervise the litter crew or by reassigning a current corrections deputy into the role, with a replacement brought into jail staffing as needed.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a draft job description and organizational-chart changes and return the item for formal approval at a subsequent meeting.","Jackson County leaders discussed converting a long-serving volunteer’s duties into a paid corrections position to supervise inmate litter crews; staff were asked to draft a job description and revise the organizational chart with an estimated entry salary around $47,000","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State, Jackson County discuss new Mud Creek boat-ramp agreement, county maintenance role

County engineer reports completion of County Road 32 culvert replacement; patching program priorities discussed

Jackson County authorizes coroner to cremate two indigent bodies; commission to develop streamlined policy

Sheriff, commissioners consider reestablishing paid litter-control position to supervise inmate crews