Calhoun County Commission approves nuisance abatements, accepts McClellan property and authorizes public-safety grants

The Calhoun County Commission on June 12 unanimously approved a slate of resolutions that included public-nuisance abatements and declarations, awards for demolition and equipment bids, and authorization to apply for three federal law-enforcement grants. Chairman Terry Howell presided over the regular meeting, which began at 10:00 a.m.

Environmental Programs Manager Kraig Mize recommended proceeding with abatement resolutions for 11 properties in Anniston; the commission adopted the resolutions after brief owner remarks. Denise Gowens, representing 3202 Old Birmingham Highway, said she had a recent health emergency but that cleanup is underway. Tenant Stephanie Heiss said she had scheduled removal of a trash trailer at 3221 Oakridge Avenue. The commission also adopted dismissals for 10 properties and declared 21 additional properties as public nuisances; Mize offered to meet with owners after the meeting to discuss next steps.

The commission approved an invoice of $4,026.00 for nuisance-removal costs at 245 Smith Street, Oxford, and awarded the public-nuisance demolition and removal bid (contractor name not specified in the meeting summary). All motions on nuisance matters and related procurement were carried by unanimous voice vote.

County Administrator Jonathan Gaddy presented several procurement and surplus-property resolutions that were approved without discussion. The commission awarded a bid for solid tires and wheel assemblies to Southern Tire Mart LLC, extended the county's daily banking agreement with Regions Bank through June 8, 2028, and declared items surplus: a cooler assigned to the coroner to be donated to Jacksonville State University, a gun safe assigned to the Sheriff's Office to be sold on GovDeals, and multiple vehicles to be sold on GovDeals. The commission also authorized Highway Department equipment purchases through the ACCA Equipment Joint Bid and Landfill equipment purchases through the Sourcewell Equipment Bid for FY2026.

On law-enforcement funding, the commission authorized applications for three Department of Justice COPS programs: the 2025 COPS Hiring Program and two task-force programs (Anti-Heroin Task Force and Anti-Methamphetamine Program). Sheriff Hurst said the COPS Hiring application is in early processing and that he is looking to maximize officer hires while minimizing county cost. The meeting summary indicates the Anti-Heroin and Anti-Methamphetamine applications do not require a county match.

The commission also accepted a parcel on Mitchellville Road into the county right-of-way inventory and voted to accept approximately 712 acres at McClellan from the City of Anniston; Chairman Howell thanked the city and said the commission hopes to use the land to create trails. Additional approvals included an AIA change order to relocate cabling at the jail control tower for $4,125, a professional-services agreement with G-Squared for orthophotography and planimetric mapping covering 360 square miles, an engineering agreement for ALDOT improvements to Bynum Leatherwood Road, and an agreement with the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for an FY2024 federal-assistance audit. The commission also approved a contract modification for the Sheriff's Office IT manager through June 4, 2028.

Chairman Howell opened public comments and several community announcements followed: Chandy Gordon (ASAP) announced an "I Want to Live Day" event on June 16 at Zinn Park; Audrey Maxwell, Chamber tourism director, listed upcoming weekend events and noted collaboration on a future bike competition; Dr. David West provided 4-H program updates; and Jakob Williamson reminded the public of a legislative recap and candidate forums. Commissioner Henderson briefly shared personal family news.

The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote; the next regular meeting was announced for June 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.