Covington County OKs staff talks with developer on Teal Creek Road improvements for proposed solar substation

Covington County commissioners voted May 27 to direct county road staff and Commissioner Morgan to negotiate terms with Orges for improvements to Teal Creek Road to support a proposed Alabama Power substation, and to return any agreement to the commission for approval.

The action came after an Orges representative outlined the developer's request for permission to negotiate a road‑improvement agreement that would allow Alabama Power to access a substation on property Orges is developing. The Orges representative said the company will pay for all improvements, "contract directly with the contractor licensed to do business in Alabama," name the county as additional insured, "post a bond for the benefit of the county and the contract amount prior to starting work," and "indemnify the county against any claims." The representative said the civil design for Teal Creek Road "needs to meet Alabama Power's standards."

The item matters because the roadwork would affect county‑maintained roads and could create ongoing maintenance obligations for Covington County after a one‑year builder's warranty. The commission emphasized that any agreement must protect the county, that landowners be consulted, and that the commission retain final approval.

Orges described specific access requirements it said Alabama Power would need: ingress and egress from Teal Creek Road, a 20‑foot uniform width, a 6‑inch gravel pad and a 15‑ to 30‑foot driveway. The presenter said the company does not believe additional right‑of‑way will be necessary but said it would compensate landowners if extra right‑of‑way is required and "convey that to the county." The representative estimated the distance of the required work at roughly "30 about 35, hundred 30 800 feet" (stated as an approximate measure by the presenter).

Commissioners and staff raised safety and maintenance questions. Commissioner Robbie said county roads staff — specifically Lynn Ross — "should have already been involved" because Ross is the county official responsible for roads, and stressed that the county has not yet spoken with all nearby property owners. When asked directly if he had read the contract, Lynn Ross answered, "Not yet."

Residents' and commissioners' concerns centered on local roads beyond Teal Creek, particularly Padgett Road and Pazwick Road. Orges said it had sent public notices in the fall and that company representatives would speak with any landowners who want to discuss the project. The presenter proposed adding protections in the agreement such as a full pre‑construction and post‑construction survey and repairs of any damage: "we'll do a full survey of the road before... and then do full survey afterward, and then repair any damage to the road."

Commissioners also asked why Alabama Power itself had not appeared at the meeting; the Orges representative replied, "I don't know the answer to that." The developer reiterated it was open to negotiating all terms of the proposed agreement and to meeting with landowners after the meeting.

On a motion that the commission not consider the attached contract as written but instead direct county road staff and Commissioner Morgan to negotiate terms with Orges and affected landowners and return a revised agreement for commission approval, Commissioner Robbie moved and Commissioner Ben seconded. The chair called the vote; the motion carried with the commissioners voting in favor and none opposed.

Next steps are for Lynn Ross and Commissioner Morgan to negotiate the proposed road‑improvement agreement with Orges and to coordinate outreach to nearby landowners; any resulting contract must be returned to the full commission for approval. Members of the public were told how to sign up to speak at a future meeting if they wish to comment when the contract returns to the agenda.