The Wayne County Commission met in regular session on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. County Executive Jim Mangubat called the meeting to order, and County Clerk Stan Horton called the roll. All commissioners were present, including Herbert Brewer, Logan Shull, Tom Mathis, Stephen Pevahouse, Colby McDonald, Tyler McDonald, Jeremy Heard, Stan Hanback, Sherrie Powers, Kathryn Staggs, David Martin, Alvin Creecy, Vickie Petty, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough.
Commissioner Kelley first made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting as presented. Commissioner Colby McDonald seconded, and the minutes were approved. Commissioner Kelley then made a motion to approve the minutes from the various committee meetings with the exception of the Budget Committee minutes from January 30 as requested by Commissioner Powers. Commissioner Powers seconded, and the committee minutes were approved as well.
County Clerk Horton presented the following to be approved as notaries: Charles A. Koblentz, Jr., Paige Casteel, Amanda Buskirk, Leslie A. Melson, Shannon L. Gobbell, Jason Culp, and Charlotte Roberson. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the list of notaries, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Pevahouse. The notaries were unanimously approved.
Members of the Wayne County High School Lady Cats basketball team, along with their coach Molly Ashley, were present at the meeting. County Executive Mangubat presented them with a certificate honoring their achievements during the 2022-2023 basketball season. The Lady Cats were Runners-Up in the State Tournament.
County Executive Mangubat next asked Mr. Stan Bevis to address the commission. Bevis, founder of Fast Pace Medical Clinics, spoke of his desire for the county to search for ways to keep Wayne Medical Center a working facility. He introduced Dustin Greene, Mark Brewer, and Tom Anderson, all of whom spoke to the commission about their concerns for continuing operation of the hospital as well. Commissioner Creecy made a motion to use these gentlemen as a consulting group to help the county look at options for hospital operations. This would come at no cost to the county for their services. Tom Anderson reiterated that the group would not be making any decisions on the county’s behalf; they would only be consulting with the commission, and the commission would make all decisions. Commissioner Powers asked how the commission would be made aware of the consulting group’s discussions, and Mr. Anderson suggested a committee be formed made up of commission members and the consulting group. County Executive Mangubat stated that he would form a committee for this. Commissioner Brewer seconded Commissioner Creecy’s motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was an update on the hospital situation. County Executive Mangubat stated that he had been in contact with Russell Pigg at North Alabama Medical Center about their intentions to speak more with the county about the operation of the hospital. Mangubat also said that he was scheduled to have a conference call the following week with Octave Health Group, another potential hospital management group.
An update on the water system was next. County Executive Mangubat stated that County Attorney Yarbrough had reviewed the maps that were presented during the distribution of water lines on Highway 64 West, and that there were seven meters that were not included in either the Clifton district or the City of Waynesboro district. Commissioner Powers requested that engineer Alton Heathcoat be asked to come before the Water Board Committee to be asked why this section of water lines was overlooked. Commissioner Mathis requested that the county make repairs to the section of water lines that are causing Harry Floyd’s issues with low water pressure. County Executive Mangubat replied to Commissioner Mathis and said that the supplies would be ordered to get the repairs on those lines started as soon as possible, and said that he would also go back to the City of Clifton to discuss if they would be willing to accept this section of lines. Commissioner Mathis said that he would help with the discussions with the City of Clifton.
The Industrial Development Board by-laws were next on the agenda. Rena Purdy stated that the IDB would be meeting in May, and the by-laws will be presented at the June commission meeting.
County Executive Mangubat told the commission that the ductwork system for the HVAC at the Administrative Building (old courthouse) was being installed. The paving project should begin as soon as the weather is suitable.
Next was a resolution to accept funds from the national Opiod Settlement. Commissioner Powers made a motion to approve the resolution, and Commissioner Petty seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The final item of new business was an appointment to the Library Board. County Executive Mangubat presented Angela Martin to serve on the Library Board. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Kelley seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Department reports were next on the agenda. Solid Waste Director Robert Hayes presented the annual progress report for the department, and Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve. Commissioner Creecy seconded, and the report was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Creecy next made a motion to approve the third Friday of each month as a free day to bring construction materials to the Solid Waste Facility for any religious organization that observes Saturday as their Sabbath day. Commissioner Shull seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Highway Superintendent Chuck Moser gave an update on various things going on in the Highway Department, including an update on the bridge at Double Branches that is now complete and open. He said that a lot of this summer would be spent working on chert roads in the county.
Sheriff Shane Fisher presented a report on the jail and Sheriff’s Office next. He said that the pre-audit from the state was complete, and the final audit should be complete by the following week. Sheriff Fisher went on to let the commission know that he had applied for a Health Department grant for $168,000 that would require no match from the county. The grant funds will be used for COVID mitigation and detection at the jail. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Creecy seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Creecy then made a motion to move forward with the county health insurance as approved by the Insurance Committee. Commissioner Shull said that Judy Hartsfield, an insurance agent from Lawrence County, wants to make a presentation to the county before any decisions are made. The next meeting of the Insurance Committee will be on April 5, so Commissioner Creecy rescinded his motion until the Insurance Committee has a chance to meet again.
Financial Advisor Lori Brashier said that the Budget Committee would need to meet on the following days to get the budget prepared: 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/8, 6/15, and 6/22. All meetings will begin at 6pm.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Powers made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Kelley seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.
