Saint Clair County Commission renews 9-1-1 software contracts, approves engineering work and grant pursuits; SRO funding tabled

The Saint Clair County Commission on Sept. 23 approved a package of operational renewals for the county 9‑1‑1 communications system, authorized an engineering agreement for work related to the I‑20/Kelly Creek interchange and agreed to pursue multiple grant opportunities while tabling a separate decision on SRO (school resource officer) funding until its Sept. 30 called meeting.

The meeting, held in Asheville, opened with the commission taking voice votes to approve renewal subscriptions and maintenance for the county 9‑1‑1 computer-aided dispatch and support systems and related software. The board approved line-item renewals that the 9‑1‑1 director presented, including a CAD system support contract ($93,750) and several smaller subscriptions and mapping and analytics tools. The commission also approved a second set of digital and mobile subscriptions, including Starlink connections, mobile carrier services and mapping licenses; the item was approved by voice vote as read into the record.

Why it matters: the renewals keep the county’s emergency-dispatch software, mapping and mobile data services active for fiscal year 2026, which county leaders described as essential to operations in a rapidly evolving digital environment for dispatch.

The commission approved an engineering agreement with Sane and Associates for corridor survey and roadway plans tied to the I‑20/Kelly Creek interchange. County Engineer Dan Dahlke identified the contract amount as $230,239 and said the work will be the first of multiple engineering phases that the project will require. Dahlke and commissioners noted that part of the project work involves state and federal property and approvals and that the county has previously received an allocation that will cover portions of the work; the county must provide a 20% match on some funds. Dahlke and the board described the project as long-term and said additional engineering and coordination with state and federal agencies will be needed before major construction begins.

The board also authorized county staff to pursue a Rural Transportation Assistance (RTA) grant and other transportation funding opportunities and ratified the chairman’s signature on an application to the Appalachian Regional Commission (described in the record as an ARC/‘‘Grama’’ grant). County Administrator Tina Morgan told the commission that a budget work session was scheduled for Sept. 25 and that the commission plans a called meeting on Sept. 30 to finalize the FY 2026 budget; several grant and contract approvals were presented as contingent on budget or grant award timing.

Infrastructure and procurement actions approved included: renewal of multiple annual materials and service bids (plant-mix, aggregates, emulsions) with vendors such as Wiregrass, Vulcan and Ergon at existing prices; award of a traffic-signs bid to a single low bidder (Foley, Ala.); and approval of routine maintenance subscriptions for county offices.

The commission updated a prior agreement with Bracken Water after the utility’s relocation bids came in higher than earlier estimates. Commissioners had agreed previously to cover the utility’s relocation cost tied to replacement of a bridge on County Road 21; the updated bid the board recorded in the meeting was $181,273.13 (the earlier estimate recorded in June had been $149,200). County staff said the cost will come from FY 2026 funds and that existing budget contingency may accommodate the difference.

Public-safety and human-services items included approval of a multi-agency LEAP (Leadership Empowering At‑Risk Populations) grant for $115,167 to support a day program serving juveniles, and the commission approved renewal of the county’s participation in a juvenile detention subsidy contract with the state (recorded in the meeting as the county’s use of Coosa Valley detention services). Commissioners discussed the detention contract’s overall annual cost range in general terms in public — the amount referenced in discussion was roughly in the neighborhood of $300,000–$350,000 depending on usage — and approved the renewal as presented.

Budget and SRO funds: Chairman (recorded in the minutes as the meeting chair) told the commission that discussion of Resolution 25‑52, which would determine the amount of simplified sellers use tax (SSUT/Internet sales tax) to allocate to the SRO distribution in the FY 2026 budget, must be deferred until the Sept. 30 called meeting. The board voted to table the item to allow the budget numbers to be finalized.

Appointments, personnel and other routine business: the commission formally appointed County Administrator Tina Morgan as county treasurer under Resolution 25‑53, adopted a resolution designating qualifying bank depositories (Resolution 25‑54), approved a probate-office remodel contract for $54,800, and authorized several non-policy items including surplus of one district‑attorney PC, creation of a veterans Facebook page pending county‑attorney review, and renewal of small departmental subscriptions and agreements.

Executive session and next steps: the board voted by roll call to enter executive session to discuss purchase, sale, lease or market value of real property; the county attorney advised commissioners the discussion fell under the closed‑session exception. The board returned to open session and the county attorney stated no action was taken in executive session. The commission scheduled budget work sessions and a called meeting for Sept. 30 to finalize the FY 2026 budget and the SRO distribution item.

Chairman’s comment and closing: the chairman praised the county SRO program and emphasized the board’s priorities (roads and the sheriff’s department). “That is a very important program to citizens all over the county, especially parents and grandparents,” the chairman said during the meeting. The board adjourned after handling routine claims and agenda items and after the closed‑session discussion.

Votes at a glance (items recorded and approved at the Sept. 23 meeting unless noted): - 9‑1‑1 software/subscription renewals (CAD support and mapping/analytics/subscriptions): approved by voice vote; amounts read into record (largest line item $93,750 for CAD support). - 9‑1‑1 digital/mobile subscriptions (Starlink, mobile carriers, mapping connectors): approved by voice vote; line items read into record (sample amounts: Starlink $5,220.40; Vesta $36,610). - Agreement with Sane and Associates for I‑20/Kelly Creek corridor work: approved (contract $230,239); funding noted as a mix of state/NPO funds with county match obligations; commissioners noted further phases expected. - Renewal of annual materials/service bids (Wiregrass, Vulcan, Ergon, others): approved at same prices as current year. - Traffic‑signs bid (Foley, Ala.): awarded to the low bidder; vendor met federal reflectivity/size standards. - Authorization to pursue RTA (rural transportation) grant and related engineering work: approved; to return for formal acceptance if awarded. - Bracken Water relocation — update to previously approved relocation cost for County Road 21 bridge: board accepted revised bid $181,273.13; funding from FY 2026 budget. - Appointment of Tina Morgan as county treasurer (Resolution 25‑53): approved. - Designation of bank depositories (Resolution 25‑54): approved. - Juvenile detention subsidy/Coosa Valley detention participation: renewal approved; annual cost discussed in rough terms (discussants cited amounts in the roughly $300k–$350k range depending on usage). - LEAP multi‑agency grant ($115,167): accepted and to be administered to the day program for juvenile services. - Probate office remodel (public‑works contract): approved ($54,800). - Resolution 25‑52 (allocation of SSUT to SRO distribution): TABLED to Sept. 30 called meeting. - Motion to enter executive session to discuss real property: approved by roll call (commissioners recorded as voting in favor); no action taken in executive session reported on return to open session.

What the record shows and what it does not: the commission took routine voice votes on many items; few items included recorded roll‑call tallies in the public record. The board discussed funding sources and grant matches for the I‑20 engineering work and the Bracken Water relocation but did not adopt final construction contracts for interstate work at this meeting. The SRO distribution amount from SSUT was not set and was expressly tabled until more budget figures are available on Sept. 30.

Next meeting and budget timeline: the commission scheduled a budget work session for Sept. 25 and a called meeting on Sept. 30, when the FY 2026 budget and the SSUT/SRO allocation are expected to be resolved.