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Perry County Commission accepts $500,000 grant, approves emergency water spending and several personnel and procurement actions
Summary
At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Perry County Commission accepted a $500,000 grant for the Barnet/Old National Guard Armory, approved a $15,000 emergency water expenditure, authorized a full-time hire, awarded a solid-waste contract, and approved multiple discretionary fund disbursements and licenses.
The Perry County Commission voted on a series of administrative, budgetary and procurement measures during its regular meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Albert Turner Sr. Courthouse Annex.
Chairman Albert F. Turner presided and said the commission adopted the agenda with additions, including distribution of a commissioner discretionary fund, authorization for Axios Insurance Group to speak with employees, and a special-events license request for the Selma Renaissance Festival. Commissioner Carlton Lewis moved to adopt the agenda; Commissioner Thomas Brett Harrison seconded, and the motion carried.
Why it matters: The commission approved several items that affect county finances and services, including a grant for a local facility project, an emergency expenditure for city water service, changes to county financial procedures, a personnel hire, and procurement awards.
The commission accepted a $500,000 grant for the Barnet/Old National Guard Armory project after a motion from Commissioner Anthony Long, seconded by Commissioner Barbara Howze; the motion carried. The board also approved a $15,000 emergency expenditure to provide water for the city (motion by Commissioner Anthony Long, seconded by Vice Chairman Carlton Lewis).
On personnel, the commission authorized the full-time hiring of Curtis Vaughn following a motion by Commissioner Long that Commissioner Lewis seconded. The panel approved an indigent burial disbursement during the meeting as well.
In finance and administration, commissioners approved new policies for issuing county checks (motion by Commissioner Carlton Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Anthony Long) and voted to close the withholding account and transfer its balance to the payroll account (motion by Commissioner Anthony Long, seconded by Commissioner Barbara Howze).
Procurement and contracts: The commission voted to table approval of an IT contract until the next meeting (motion by Commissioner Carlton Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Brett Harrison). The clerk recommended awarding the solid-waste contract to Minority Trucking as the lowest, most responsible bidder; Commissioner Anthony Long moved to award the bid and Commissioner Harrison seconded; the motion carried.
Claims and discretionary funds: The commission approved claims presented at the meeting. It also approved individual discretionary fund distributions: $5,000 from Commissioner Thomas Brett Harrison to E911; $1,000 each from Commissioner Barbara Howze, Commissioner Carlton Lewis and Chairman Albert F. Turner to Choice; and $500 from Commissioner Anthony Long to Choice.
Other approvals: Commissioners authorized Axios Insurance Group to speak with county employees and approved a special-events license for the Selma Renaissance Festival. The meeting adjourned after completion of the listed actions.
Next steps: Several items were routine approvals; the IT contract was postponed to the next meeting for further consideration.
