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Dothan commission approves election procedures, tax rate, grants and multiple routine permits
Summary
The commission approved an ordinance authorizing electronic vote-counting/marking devices for municipal elections, a contract to use Houston County election machines, continued tax rate at 5 mills, multiple homeland security and sports grants, a fireworks permit and authorized several easements and surplus disposals.
At its May 6 meeting the Dothan City Commission approved several ordinances and resolutions covering elections, taxes, grants and routine municipal business.
The commission approved an ordinance establishing the use of electronic vote-counting and marking devices for municipal elections and separately approved a contract with Houston County to use county-owned election equipment during the 2025 municipal election at a cost of $100 per machine. The commission also approved a resolution continuing the tax levy at a rate of 5 mills on assessed property value and fixed compensation for the tax assessor and tax collector.
Among grant approvals, the commission accepted $46,001 under the Alabama Mutual Aid System for regional response training and equipment and accepted two State Homeland Security Grant awards: $54,261 for equipment for the Dothan Police Department and $80,000 for equipment for the Dothan Fire Department. The commission accepted a $12,500 grant from the United States Tennis Association to support hosting the 2025 USTA Clay Court Championship and authorized a fireworks permit for a display at Ripview Stadium for Dothan United Soccer Club on May 17, 2025.
The commission also authorized a continued relationship with the Alabama Municipal League's Municipal Intercept Services (MIS) to increase collection of delinquent debt by reporting certain written-off accounts to the MIS system. A staff member explained the program: "This agency is through the Alabama Municipal League of Cities, and it allows them to withhold a portion of the state tax refund for this debt. There's no cost to the city." The commission voted to use MIS for additional collections beyond prior utility and court accounts already in the system.
Other approvals included: acceptance of warranty deeds and easements for the Honeysuckle Road improvements project; authorization to enter a contract with Poly Inc. for engineering services for a sludge conveyor replacement at the Little Choctawhatchee wastewater treatment plant for a lump sum of $69,235; declaration of surplus property and donation of certain performing arts equipment to the Cultural Arts Center; and acceptance of an easement from the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority related to the vacated right of way on North Foster Street. Regional planning staff told the commission the Foster Street right of way split a property and vacation would make the site more usable for a prospective regional planning office.
Most measures passed by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tally included in the meeting minutes.
