Walker County Commission approves $1M road transfer, creates Parks & Recreation department and OKs opioid funding

The Walker County Commission on Feb. 2, 2026 in Jasper approved a slate of routine and budget measures, voting unanimously on motions that included a $1,000,000 transfer from the Road and Bridge Fund to be divided equally among the four district gas funds, creation of a Parks & Recreation Department under the Road & Bridge Department, and a $125,000 distribution to the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center for opioid-related services.

County Administrator Amy Frederickson told commissioners that Retirement Systems of Alabama representatives will hold informational sessions Feb. 10 and that employee wellness screenings are scheduled for March 30–31. "They'll be here from 1:00 to 2:00 ... and a second session from 2:30 to 3:30," Frederickson said, inviting employees with questions about retirement and deferred compensation.

In the meeting’s business items, County Engineer Glenn Peek presented multiple road-related proposals and the Commission approved the county’s application for the Rebuild Alabama Act Annual Grant Program 2026 after brief discussion. The Commission also approved a $12,200 boundary-survey proposal from McGehee Engineering Corp. for the Old Airport agricultural center site, after Frederickson corrected an earlier misread of the proposal amount.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (approve agenda, Jan. 20 minutes, new vendor list): approved unanimously (District One: Aye; District Two: Aye; District Three: Aye; District Four: Aye). - Rebuild Alabama Act Annual Grant Program 2026 application: approved unanimously (vote recorded by districts). - Retroactive reappointment of Mr. Dell Green to the Walker County Housing Authority Board: approved unanimously. - McGehee Engineering Corp. proposal for boundary survey at Old Airport ($12,200): approved unanimously. - Transfer $1,000,000 from Road & Bridge Fund to district gas funds ($250,000 each; Funds 123–126): approved unanimously. - Create Parks & Recreation Department under Road & Bridge (no new staff or funding initially): approved unanimously. - Authorize bids for replacement pickup trucks countywide: approved unanimously. - Classify two county parcels (Euclid Ave & E. 24th St., Jasper) as surplus and sell via GovDeals with reserve based on tax-assessed value: approved unanimously; sale subject to final Commission approval once bids are received. - Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center opioid funding request ($125,000): approved unanimously. - Schedule work session to discuss pending opioid fund requests (Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.): approved unanimously.

Several motions were introduced and carried by simple voice vote recorded by district (District One–Four), as shown in the minutes. Where the minutes list district votes rather than individual commissioner names, vote tallies are recorded by district.

Commissioners and staff also took time to highlight operational issues and next steps. Chairman Steve Miller said the newly created Parks & Recreation Department will initially be "in name only," pursuing grants rather than adding employees or county funding immediately. On courthouse operations, Miller thanked maintenance director Shannon Whitehead for manually operating a heating actuator overnight to keep the courthouse functioning.

The meeting adjourned to executive session after a written opinion from County Attorney Charles R. Stephens, Jr. that personnel and reputation matters met criteria under the Alabama Open Meetings Act; the commission voted to move into executive session and not reconvene until the next regular meeting or at the call of the chairman.

What’s next: The Commission scheduled a Feb. 5 work session to consider pending opioid fund requests; other items (surplus property auction outcomes and any grant awards) will return to the Commission once bids or award notices are available.