Autauga County Commission extends James Hardie tax exemption, approves hires and fee schedule

The Autauga County Commission on Feb. 17 extended a one-year tax exemption for James Hardie Building Products and approved a series of personnel actions, fee schedules and routine items, the commission said.

Chairman Jay Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and the commissioners recorded their attendance before moving through consent and personnel items. The body approved the minutes of its Feb. 3 regular meeting and authorized payment of invoices received through Feb. 17.

The commission approved a consent docket that included authorization for designated personnel to attend listed conferences (Engineering ACEA conference May 5–6 in Orange Beach; CIMS user conference June 18–19 in Orange Beach; jail conferences and management classes; property reappraisal training Aug. 24–28 in Montgomery), a six-month probation period for an engineering laborer, and the surplus and destruction of a sheriff’s X-ray unit with a broken belt.

In staffing actions, the commission approved multiple hires and promotions across departments. Among those approved were Jordan Patrick Henderson as a deputy sheriff (effective Feb. 10, 2026), promotions of Steven Geon to sergeant and Corey Smith to corporal, one-step pay increases for employees who completed Spillman/Flex Superuser certification, and adjustments to starting pay for a new correctional officer. The commission also accepted several resignations and approved hires to fill vacancies.

Commissioner John L. Thrailkill moved, and Bill Tatum seconded, approval of the FY2026 county levies and maximum fees for alcohol licensing across a range of license types — including retail beer and table wine on- and off-premises, wholesale licenses, importer and brewpub fees, and higher-tier event storage and educational tourism distillery fees — which the commission adopted unanimously.

At 5:19 p.m. the commission recessed into an executive session to discuss economic development and pending litigation under Act No. 2005-40; County Attorney Kyle C. Shirley provided the declaration authorizing the closed session. The commission reconvened at 5:45 p.m.

After returning to open session, the commission suspended the rules to add and approve an extension of the James Hardie Building Products tax exemption certificate for one year; that motion, made by Commissioner Rusty Jacksland and seconded by Commissioner Terry Tanner, carried by unanimous vote. The commission also approved a request from the Autauga County Fire Association to use the Old Kingston Park baseball field on April 18, 2026, for a fundraiser and voted to send letters of appreciation to counties that have contracted to house Autauga County inmates.

The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m. The commission scheduled its next regular meeting for March 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of Feb. 3, 2026 minutes and invoices: motion carried unanimously (SEG 001). - Consent docket (training approvals, probation, surplus equipment): carried unanimously (SEG 001). - Use of Old Kingston Park by Autauga County Fire Association (April 18, 2026): carried unanimously (SEG 002). - Multiple personnel hires, promotions, pay adjustments and replacements: carried unanimously unless noted (SEGS 002–003). - FY2026 county levies for alcohol licensing: motion by Commissioner John L. Thrailkill; carried unanimously (SEG 003). - Entered executive session for economic development and pending litigation: motion carried; executive session held 5:19–5:45 p.m. (SEG 003). - Extension of James Hardie Building Products tax exemption certificate for one year: motion by Commissioner Rusty Jacksland; carried unanimously (SEG 003). - Authorization to send letters of appreciation to counties housing Autauga inmates: carried unanimously (SEG 003).

Next step: The commission will reconvene March 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.