St. Clair County commission, sitting as 9‑1‑1 board, approves multiple contracts, grant applications and program items; ambulance award recommended pending vet

St. Clair County Commissioners met Jan. 7; the meeting opened with the county commission convening as the county’s 9‑1‑1 board before continuing as the full commission. The bodies approved multiple procurement and program items, ratified small contracts, authorized grant applications and recorded a formal recommendation from the contract oversight group (COG) to award the county ambulance contract to Regional Paramedical Services (RPS), with final approval contingent on legal review.

Why it matters: The actions set procurement and program directions for public safety, road maintenance and community facilities and lock in steps that will affect county services and budgets this year. The ambulance procurement in particular will determine primary emergency medical services for county residents and municipalities.

Most significant actions and context

- 9‑1‑1 board ratifies Eventide recorder maintenance contract: The 9‑1‑1 board ratified a previously tabled purchase of a software and maintenance contract for the Eventide recorder used with the county’s P25 radio system in the amount of $5,630. The board voted to carry the motion.

- 9‑1‑1 board approves disposal of obsolete equipment: The board approved a request from Aslan Campbell, the county 9‑1‑1 director, to surplus and dispose of legacy communications equipment (listed in the meeting record by inventory numbers). The board discussed GovDeals as an option and approved disposal.

- COG recommends ambulance contract award to Regional Paramedical Services: Members of the contract oversight group reviewed two RFP respondents and recommended awarding ambulance bid 2025‑33 to Regional Paramedical Services (RPS). Richard Harvey, Springville fire chief and COG participant, summarized the review: RPS proposed six full‑time trucks (plus one or two part‑time) and a surge plan that could provide up to 24 additional trucks from surrounding areas within 45 minutes; the other bidder, Amen, proposed fewer full‑time resources and lacked the same surge capacity. Harvey stated the recommendation is to award to RPS and emphasized the contract is “a zero‑sum” arrangement that will not require county or municipal subsidy. The 9‑1‑1 board carried a motion acknowledging the COG recommendation and scheduled a formal approval step pending final COG and county attorney contract review.

- ADM short‑term contract approved to clean dump site: The county engineer presented a contract/agreement with ADM to clean a dump site near US‑78/Prescott area at an estimated reimbursement cost of $33,565.39; commissioners approved the contract subject to county attorney review.

- County supports ALDOT resurfacing project on AL‑174: The commission adopted a resolution supporting an Alabama Department of Transportation resurfacing project on State Route 174 from US‑411 to US‑231.

- Adopted application to Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): The commission voted to authorize applying for an LWCF grant of $300,000 with a 50/50 match (county portion $150,000). A public hearing on the application was scheduled prior to a future commission meeting.

- Pell City sewer project: The commission adopted Resolution 2025‑16 to contribute $125,000 per fiscal year beginning FY 2025‑26 through FY 2028‑29 to support a Pell City sewer extension project; commissioners said the investment is expected to increase taxable activity in the county.

- Opioid fund allocation: The commission approved allocating $15,000 in opioid settlement funds to support juvenile court programming, subject to receipt of the funds.

- Other administrative approvals: commissioners ratified a six‑month lease for the Cowboy Church at $750 per month, approved bids for guardrail, hot‑mix asphalt and surfacing (contract identifiers 2025‑19, 2025‑26, 2025‑28, 2025‑30), approved hiring a road worker (Jason Woods), adjusted the county mileage reimbursement rate from $0.67 to $0.70 per mile in alignment with state policy, and ratified the Trails Inn implementation schedule (construction reported 85% complete).

Votes at a glance (each item voted on at the Jan. 7 meeting)

- Ratify Eventide recorder software/maintenance, $5,630 — outcome: approved (motion carried). Referenced by: 9‑1‑1 board agenda item (ratification of December 11 table). - Surplus/dispose legacy 9‑1‑1 equipment (listed inventory items) — outcome: approved. - COG recommendation to award ambulance bid 2025‑33 to Regional Paramedical Services — outcome: recommendation approved by board; final contract approval pending COG and county attorney review. - Approve ADM agreement for dump cleanup (US‑78/Prescott), estimated $33,565.39 — outcome: approved (pending county attorney review noted). - Adopt resolution supporting ALDOT resurfacing of AL‑174 (US‑411 to US‑231) — outcome: approved. - Authorize application to LWCF grant $300,000 (50/50 match; county share $150,000) — outcome: approved; public hearing to follow. - Adopt Pell City sewer participation resolution (Resolution 2025‑16): $125,000 per fiscal year FY25‑26 through FY28‑29 — outcome: approved. - Allocate $15,000 opioid fund to juvenile court programming (subject to receipt) — outcome: approved. - Ratify 6‑month Cowboy Church lease, $750/mo — outcome: approved. - Award annual bids (guardrail; hot‑mix; microsurface; surface treatment) — outcome: approved. - Hire road worker Jason Woods — outcome: approved. - Increase mileage reimbursement to $0.70/mile — outcome: approved. - Ratify courthouse closure for weather on prior date — outcome: ratified as recorded in minutes.

What didn’t change: Commissioners emphasized that the ambulance contract still must pass a contract review by the county attorney and a final COG review before becoming effective. The county attorney’s office participated in the COG review meeting and the commission scheduled a formal 9‑1‑1 board action in January to conclude the procurement process.

Who spoke often: Richard Harvey (Springville fire chief) presented the ambulance RFP review and recommendation; Aslan Campbell (9‑1‑1 director) presented surplus and 9‑1‑1 items; Dan Dahlke (county engineer) presented project and contracts for roads and the ADM cleanup agreement; the chairman recorded motions and led votes.

Ending: Several items approved at the Jan. 7 meeting require follow‑up steps — most notably the ambulance contract (final legal and COG review) and the LWCF public hearing — before funding or contract awards become effective. The county scheduled a formal 9‑1‑1 board meeting in January to complete the ambulance procurement process.