Mayor reports architect delays on EMS station, animal shelter geotech completed; joint economic development MOU signed

County Mayor reported at the March 24 meeting that progress on two capital projects has been slowed by outside contractors but work is moving in other areas. On the new EMS station the mayor said the architect assigned by Gulf States Engineering has been unresponsive and that the county is awaiting fire marshal review; the mayor said, “I'm probably more frustrated about this project than anybody sitting in this room right now,” and pledged to escalate the issue to a higher management level the next business day. The mayor said bay doors have been ordered and that project completion was estimated at about four to six weeks after stamped plans are received.

On the county animal shelter, the mayor reported that James and Associates is finalizing drawings and that geotechnical work is complete — “there's 4 holes dug in the ground,” he said — which indicates preliminary subsurface testing has begun and showed acceptable conditions so far. The mayor also said the county has a new Joint Economic Community Development Board MOU; he said the city mayor signed the interlocal agreement March 11 and the county mayor and attorneys subsequently executed it. The mayor asked Director Moore to provide additional details in her departmental report.

Director Moore elaborated on the MOU and other community economic items in her report. She said the county had presented a fully executed interlocal to the aldermen on March 11 and received unanimous approval; the mayor signed the agreement and staff expect to schedule the first joint board meeting in the coming month. Moore also discussed a tourism grant that provided $11,000 for festival signage and said staff are preparing artwork and price estimates for additional wayfinding and Bulldog commemorative signs. Moore asked commissioners to save the date for a facilitated town hall working session on April 8 to advance the county’s “3‑star certification” application and short/long‑term strategic goals.

The mayor announced the county received an insurance check — about $14,000 — to repair a windstorm‑damaged light pole at the sports complex; the mayor said the total project cost is roughly $15,000 and the insurance proceeds cover the majority so the cost will not come from the general fund. He also reiterated that staff will provide timeline updates on the EMS and animal shelter projects at the next commission meeting.

Ending: Commissioners asked for updated schedules at the next meeting. The mayor said he would escalate the EMS architect issue immediately and expected updated project timelines within four to six weeks for the EMS station and a somewhat longer schedule for the animal shelter.