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Lauderdale County Commission unanimously adopts C-PACER program; school GO bond amendment passes 16–5
Summary
At its Aug. 18 meeting in Ripley, the Lauderdale County Commission adopted a C-PACER (commercial property assessed clean energy and resiliency) program and approved multiple budget amendments; a GO school bond-related amendment passed on a 16–5 roll call. The meeting also included library board appointments, acceptance of the trustee financial report, notary appointments and a sheriff’s update on D.A.R.E.
The Lauderdale County Commission on Aug. 18 in Ripley approved a resolution establishing a commercial property assessed clean energy and resiliency program (C-PACER) and adopted several budget amendments, including a contested amendment tied to the 2025 general obligation (GO) school bond that passed 16–5.
Commissioner Danny Hartsfield moved adoption of Resolution 8-25-1 to create the county’s C-PACER program; Commissioner Sherry Jones seconded. The resolution was approved by roll call with 21 ayes, 0 nays and 3 absent. The action authorizes the county to adopt the local C-PACER framework referenced in the resolution.
The C-PACER vote was one of several formal actions taken at the meeting. Commissioner Mary Moore moved and Commissioner Rob Harris seconded a set of General Fund (Fund 101) budget amendments; that motion passed by roll call, 21–0 with three absences. Commissioner Dan Ungerecht Jr. and Commissioner Ronnie Jackson moved and seconded Highway Department (Fund 131) budget amendments, which also passed by roll call, 21–0 with three absences.
A separate set of budget amendments related to the 2025 GO School Bond (Fund 178) drew a divided vote. Commissioner Rob Harris moved the bond-related amendments and Commissioner Susan Worlds seconded. Roll call recorded 16 ayes and 5 nays, with three commissioners absent, and the motion carried. The minutes list the commissioners who voted yes and those who voted no.
The commission approved library board appointments — one new appointment and three reappointments — on a motion by Commissioner Kaye Jordon, seconded by Commissioner Joe Pursell. The county also accepted the Lauderdale County Trustee’s financial report for fiscal year 2024–2025 on a motion by Commissioner Dan Ungerecht Jr., seconded by Commissioner Gene Edwards.
Sheriff Brian Kelley introduced Zeke, a K-9 deputy, with Deputy Stover as the handler, and briefed the commission on implementation of a D.A.R.E. program to be led by Lt. Latress Morgan, the current school resource officer commander in Lauderdale County Schools.
Other business included review of form CT-0253 for the 2025 GO Bond, approval of a slate of notaries public, and the Building Permits Report, all approved by voice vote. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Sheriff Brian Kelley and adjourned at 7:04 p.m. on a motion by Commissioner Joe Pursell, seconded by Commissioner Tommy Sanders.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 8-25-1 (C-PACER) — passed by roll call, 21 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent; General Fund amendments (Fund 101) — passed by roll call, 21–0, 3 absent; Highway Dept. amendments (Fund 131) — passed by roll call, 21–0, 3 absent; GO School Bond amendments (Fund 178) — passed by roll call, 16 ayes, 5 nays, 3 absent. Several other routine items (library appointments, trustee report, notaries, building permits) passed by voice vote.
The minutes record a transcription correction to the July 2025 meeting minutes: the call to order should read Chief Garrison instead of Sheriff Kelley; that correction was approved as part of the minutes.
The commission’s minutes list attending and absent members and do not record extended debate on the C-PACER resolution in the text of the minutes. No public comment transcript appears in the record provided.
