Choctaw County Commission approves dump-truck financing, schedules solid-waste hearing and OKs airport certification agreement

Choctaw County ' At its meeting June 10, 2025, the Choctaw County Commission approved financing for five new dump trucks, adopted a resolution to proceed with public notice and a hearing on the county's 10-year solid waste management plan, and authorized an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation that preserves the airport's eligibility for federal aid.

The actions were taken by voice vote after brief staff presentations and routine motion-and-second votes. Commissioners also scheduled an executive session to discuss the good name and character of an employee.

The commission opened by approving the meeting minutes from June 10, 2025. The motion was made by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner Jackson; the item carried on a voice vote.

County Engineer presentation and dump-truck financing

County engineering staff recommended the county award financing for five dump trucks and one local truck, citing a low-interest proposal from First US Bank. "The low interest rate from the proposal we sent out was First US Bank at 4.11%." the county engineer said. Commissioners moved and seconded the recommendation and approved it by voice vote.

The engineer said delivery was expected in roughly 60 days. The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes; approval was by voice vote.

Solid waste management plan and public hearing

The commission considered a draft Solid Waste Management Plan prepared by consultant Plainfield, noting the county is required to update the plan every 10 years. Staff said the plan is a tentative draft that could be revised after public comment and proposed scheduling a public hearing for Aug. 12, 2025.

"This plan is a tentative plan. In theory, you could change after we see perceived public comment," the consultant noted during discussion. Commissioner Mosley moved to adopt the resolution that will allow public notice and the hearing; Commissioner Gautier seconded the motion, and it carried on a voice vote. Staff said a notice would run in the local paper the following week and that the county's secretary would prepare the required notice.

Airport items and ALDOT agreement

Airport staff reported two outstanding items from a recent inspection: pavement striping and preparation of a safer apron area intended as a helicopter landing zone. The airport manager said the county had addressed tree issues but that striping remained outstanding and that a temporary notice affecting the airport would expire on July 31.

The airport manager reported a striping quote of about $35,000 and said the landing-zone dimensions had not been finalized. "The only thing that's left outstanding is the striping... The note will expire July 31," the airport manager said.

County Attorney Lee briefed the commission on an agreement called the Alabama Uniform Certification Program, which the attorney said is needed to cooperate in preparing a disadvantaged-business-enterprise plan required to receive certain federal funds. "There's a requirement when you're seeking federal funds that... there has to be in place a disadvantaged business plan, and the Department of Transportation prepares that plan," Lee said. The commission voted to approve the agreement and authorized the airport manager, Joe, to sign the document on the county's behalf; the motion was made by Commissioner Dahlgren and seconded by Commissioner Cherry (record shows the second as "Sherry" in the transcript), and carried on a voice vote.

Executive session

The commission scheduled an executive session to discuss the good name and character of an employee identified in the record as Will Stevens. Officials indicated the session would be brief and gave an estimated return time of 9:32 a.m.

What happens next

Staff said the public-notice language for the solid waste plan would be prepared and run in the paper the following week and the secretary would distribute copies to the commission. The airport manager was authorized to execute the ALDOT certification agreement and staff will follow up on the pending airport repairs and the timeline for striping.