Walker County Commission approves $5M road package and several personnel, procurement measures; moves to executive session

The Walker County Commission approved a series of routine but consequential measures at its May 4 meeting in Jasper, including a $5 million road package, the county's final solid waste management plan, new positions and equipment purchases, then voted unanimously to adjourn into executive session to discuss pending litigation.

The commission approved the $5 million 2026 Road Package after a short presentation and recommendation delivered by Randy Dodd. Commissioner Jim Borden moved the measure, Commissioner Jeff Burrough seconded, and the measure passed by unanimous standing vote. County Engineer Glenn Peek had earlier summarized ongoing paving on Old Highway 78 and a section of Empire Road and noted striping crews had started work the morning of the meeting.

Other actions taken included approval of the consent agenda (agenda, April 20 regular and emergency meeting minutes, and the April 2026 new vendor list), purchase of one front‑loader for the Solid Waste Department, and approval of the county's Final Solid Waste Management Plan. The commission also approved Paycor payroll software, established a new Solid Waste Manager job and pay classification (adjusting pay to match the Road & Bridge and Districts Supervisor II scale), and authorized three seasonal, full‑time common laborer positions in the Road & Bridge Department for the 2026 summer program.

"We want to do a lot more for this county," Chairman Steve Miller said while expressing appreciation for the work of staff and the mental‑health team recently deployed to Walker County. Commissioner John Dunagan thanked staff for paving work already completed on Burroughs Crossing and Whittemore Road and emphasized the commission's goal to continue paving if additional funds become available.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (agenda; April 20 minutes; April new vendor list): Moved by Commissioner Jeff Burrough; seconded by Commissioner John Dunagan; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Purchase one front‑loader for Solid Waste (Sourcewell Contract #110223‑LEG/110223‑THC): Moved by Commissioner Jim Borden; seconded by Commissioner John Dunagan; outcome: approved (unanimous). - $5M 2026 Road Package: Moved by Commissioner Jim Borden; seconded by Commissioner Jeff Burrough; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Final Walker County Solid Waste Management Plan: Moved by Commissioner Jeff Burrough; seconded by Commissioner John Dunagan; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Public hearing to consider vacating spur off Harbor Loop (set for June 15, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.): Moved by Commissioner John Dunagan; seconded by Commissioner Jeff Burrough; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Paycor payroll software proposal: Moved and seconded (as noted in minutes); outcome: approved (unanimous). - Establish Solid Waste Manager position and pay scale (adjusted to Road & Bridge and Districts Supervisor II pay scale): Moved by Commissioner Jeff Burrough; seconded by Commissioner John Dunagan; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Three seasonal full‑time Road & Bridge common laborer positions: Moved by Commissioner Steven Aderholt; seconded by Commissioner Jim Borden; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss pending litigation: Moved by Commissioner Jim Borden; seconded by Commissioner Steven Aderholt; outcome: approved (unanimous).

The meeting record shows no objections to the measures noted above. The commission did not reconvene in open session that day following the unanimous vote to enter executive session. According to a May 1 letter included in the meeting materials from attorney Charles R. Stephens Jr. (Stephens & Stephens, LLC), the Alabama Open Meetings Act (Ala. Code §36‑25A‑7(a)(5)) authorizes executive sessions to discuss pending or threatened litigation.