Greenville Council unanimously establishes Junior City Council, accepts clean audit and approves grants, training and equipment purchases; police chief cites an

Greenville, Ala. — The Greenville City Council on Monday unanimously adopted a package of resolutions and expenditures, formally establishing the city's first Junior City Council, accepting a clean audit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, authorizing a grant application for a short-term strategic plan, and approving training and equipment purchases.

Mayor Jae’Ques Brown opened the 5 p.m. meeting in the Council Chamber and led a roll call; City Clerk-Treasurer Dee Blackmon recorded councilmembers Ed Sims, Brandon Smith Sr., Kenderius Boggan, Bryan Reynolds and Joseph West as present. Judge McFerrin administered the oath of office to the Junior City Council, and Program Coordinator Brittany Blankenship presented certificates. Blankenship said the Junior City Council will work on youth-focused community projects and civic engagement initiatives during the 2026–2027 term. The students sworn in were Abi Grant, Janiyah Longmire, Mary Virginia Reynolds, Kennedy Little, Bryant Reynolds, Donavan Works, Aspyn Adams, Kenzarious Robinson, Marianna Jordan, Thomas Ramsey, Kyrie Scott, KenTreyius Carter, Ceazia Carter, Eleanor Daniels and Clay Powell.

Police Chief Justin Lovvorn addressed a recent officer-involved incident that occurred since the previous council meeting. Lovvorn said an outside agency was immediately contacted to conduct an independent investigation and that he could not comment further while that inquiry remains ongoing; he added that, "based on his review of body-camera footage, officers acted appropriately." Mayor Brown told the council that he and Mr. Olby Bedgood responded to the scene and praised the professionalism of the officers involved.

Auditor Glenn Branum of Branum & Company, P.C. presented the fiscal year 2024 audit and reported a clean audit opinion "with no major concerns identified." Branum summarized key financial highlights provided to the council: total assets and investments of approximately $3.2 million; liabilities of approximately $839,000; and long-term debt of about $56 million, which includes pension liabilities and hospital-related financing obligations. Branum clarified that pension liabilities are standard accounting entries under governmental accounting standards and "should not be interpreted as immediate debt obligations."

On formal business, the council adopted Resolution 2026-37 to establish the Greenville Junior City Council and Resolution 2026-38 to accept the 2024 financial statements. The council also approved Resolution 2026-39 authorizing the City to apply for roughly $22,000 in grant funds through the Mid-South Resource Conservation and Development Council, with the South Central Alabama Development Commission authorized to file the application on the city's behalf; and Resolution 2026-40 to sponsor EMS education and paramedic training for a fire department employee, including an education reimbursement agreement to protect the City's investment if an employee fails to complete the program or leaves employment prematurely.

Councilmembers also approved a series of expenditures: Pioneer Electric Cooperative for $4,177 to install seven poles and yard lights at Sherling Lake; United Rentals for $104,000 to purchase a Takeuchi mini excavator ($61,000) and a skid steer track loader ($41,000); North America Fire Equipment for $12,127 to replace a Lifting Bag System damaged in a September 2025 wreck; and Ingram Equipment Company for $3,778.70 to replace an ejection cylinder on Garbage Truck 41. All motions were seconded and carried on unanimous votes.

Mayor Brown closed the meeting at 5:37 p.m. The council offered no further public discussion on the audit or the officer-involved incident during the session.