Perry County Commission approves health grant, $25,000 for food aid and hires administrator amid one dissent

The Perry County Commission on Nov. 12 approved a series of funding and personnel actions aimed at addressing health disparities and local needs and set bidding timelines for the county's solid waste contract.

Chairman Albert F. Turner presided over the meeting at the Albert Turner, Sr. Courthouse Annex. Vice Chairman Carlton Lewis led the invocation. Commissioners Anthony Long (District 2), Thomas Brett Harrison (District 3), Barbara Howze (District 4) and Chairman Turner (District 1) were present; a quorum was established.

Under Budget and Finance, Commissioner Anthony Long moved and Vice Chairman Carlton Lewis seconded a motion to approve a health disparity grant presented by Ms. Smith, identified on the agenda as the grant presenter; the commission approved the grant. The meeting minutes do not specify the award amount, funding source breakdown or implementing agency for the grant.

The commission also approved a $25,000 deduction from the County Reserve to Sewing Seeds of Hope to provide food for residents who are no longer receiving food stamps. The motion was made by Commissioner Long and seconded by Commissioner Howze and was recorded as carried.

Lawmakers approved multiple individual discretionary fund allocations for community projects and school athletics. Commissioners Howze and Chairman Turner were approved to provide $1,000 each to Project Grace; Commissioners Long and Lewis were approved to provide $500 each to Project Grace; Commissioner Howze was approved for $1,300 for the girls' basketball team and Chairman Turner was approved for $1,300 for the boys' basketball team. Those motions were moved by Commissioner Long and seconded by Commissioner Howze and were carried.

On personnel, the commission approved hiring Beverly Gordon as County Administrator with a six-month probationary period and an evaluation at the end of that period. The hiring motion, moved by Commissioner Carlton Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Barbara Howze, passed with one dissenting vote from Commissioner Thomas Brett Harrison.

In procurement matters, the commission authorized advertising a request for proposals for the county solid waste contract for three weeks and voted to extend the current contract with Minority Trucking for one month "as is." The commission set a bid closing at close of business on Dec. 8 and scheduled bid openings for the commissioners' meeting on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

The commission also approved the county holidays for 2026, changed the December regular meeting date from Dec. 9 to Dec. 8 at 6 p.m., and approved payment of the listed county claims. The record notes that Chairman Turner ruled a separate motion by Commissioner Harrison to vote on naming a new voting precinct out of order; that motion was not recognized.

Legal matters were handled in a brief executive session. The commission moved into a 15-minute executive session after a motion by Commissioner Barbara Howze, seconded by Vice Chairman Carlton Lewis. After reconvening, the commission, on a motion by Commissioner Anthony Long and seconded by Commissioner Howze, authorized the county attorney to move forward on settlement of a disciplinary action; that motion passed with one no vote from Commissioner Harrison.

Votes at a glance - Adopt agenda (with addition of Ms. Smith): moved Howze; seconded Lewis — outcome: approved. - Approve minutes (Oct. 28, 2025): moved Howze; seconded Lewis — outcome: approved. - Resolution thanking Calvin Jordan for actions at R.C. Hatch High School: outcome: adopted. - Approve health disparity grant (presenter Ms. Smith): moved Long; seconded Lewis — outcome: approved (award details not specified). - $25,000 from County Reserve to Sewing Seeds of Hope: moved Long; seconded Howze — outcome: approved. - Discretionary fund allocations for Project Grace and school teams: moved Long; seconded Howze — outcome: approved. - Hire Beverly Gordon as County Administrator, six-month probation: moved Lewis; seconded Howze — outcome: approved (vote recorded: 4 yes, 1 no — Commissioner Thomas Brett Harrison). - Advertise solid waste contract bids and extend Minority Trucking contract one month: moved Long; seconded Lewis — outcome: approved. - Approve 2026 holidays: moved Long; seconded Howze — outcome: approved. - Change December meeting date to Dec. 8, 6 p.m.: moved Long; seconded Howze — outcome: approved. - Pay claims: moved Long; seconded Howze — outcome: approved. - Authorize settlement/attorney to move forward on disciplinary action (post-executive session): moved Long; seconded Howze — outcome: approved (vote recorded: 4 yes, 1 no — Commissioner Thomas Brett Harrison).

What the minutes do not specify The minutes record approvals but do not provide key implementation details for several actions: the dollar amount or implementing agency for the health disparity grant; programmatic conditions or distribution plans for the $25,000 awarded to Sewing Seeds of Hope beyond the stated purpose; and the identity of the attorney authorized to execute the disciplinary settlement. Those items were not specified in the meeting minutes and will require follow-up for implementation details.

The meeting adjourned following completion of the day's business.