County attorney seeks sign-off on amended property-exchange agreement with City and PBA over new courthouse roadway

County attorney Ben told the commission that packets included a proposed resolution and an alternative approach to amending a property-exchange agreement among the county, the Public Building Authority (PBA) and the City of Clanton related to construction of a new courthouse and a roadway that will run through the courthouse property.

Ben said the city proposed language calling for a 50/50 split of the new roadway — which will be a city street — between the county and the city. "The language they proposed called for a 50 50 split of the new roadway that's gonna run through the courthouse property, which will be a city street, that it would call for that to be done on a 50 50 split between the county and the city," he said.

The attorney said the PBA had approved the amendment and that the county had negotiated a second agreement to clarify funding responsibility and the PBA's lack of independent funding. He characterized the documents as intended to eliminate ambiguity so the city would be comfortable moving forward and urged the commission to sign off so the roadway work could continue without delay.

Commissioner Childress asked why a 50/50 split appeared in language when previous funding had flowed through the PBA; Ben responded that reading the amendment out of context makes it confusing and that a second agreement between the PBA and the county would clarify which entity bears ultimate responsibility for remaining funds. The transcript shows PBA approval and indicates the city intended to take the matter to its council soon; it does not record a formal commission vote on the county's sign-off.

The county attorney asked commissioners to approve the amended paperwork that night so engineers would not pause the roadway portion of construction; he said the paperwork was circulated among attorneys and would be recirculated the next day assuming the commission approves it.