By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
UPDATED 07/22/2026: In a previous version of this article, we mistakenly reported that Commissioner Enfinger was absent. Commissioners Carroll and Grantham were the ones absent, a rarity according to officials. We also updated the article to make clear that the county retiree lump sum payment constituted approximately 47.36% of the expenditures that were approved, making it the largest single use of funds approved.
OZARK a—The Dale County Commission approved personnel changes, tens of thousands of dollars in expenditures, including $16,066.62 for facility upgrades, $7,500 for infrastructure assistance, and a one-time benefit payment to county retirees during its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14. The payment issue p approved for county retirees made up the bulk of the expenditures approved.
Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon presided over the meeting, with Commissioners Chris Carroll and Frankie Wilson participating in discussions and voting on items affecting county operations, public infrastructure, law enforcement facilities, and community partnerships. Commissioners Chris Carroll and Donald O. Grantham were reportedly not present for the meeting, which is uncommon for the commission,
County Administrator Cheryl Ganey presented several personnel-related items that received approval from the commission. All items on the agenda were approved unanimously.
The actions included approval of two newly established job descriptions, authorization for a new county hire, approval of an internal employee transfer, and educational travel for staff training and official county business.
The commission also approved several upgrades at the Dale County Jail, including a new video surveillance system and HVAC repairs, projects that will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Miller Alarm & Electronics Inc. received approval for a $10,498 proposal to install and configure a network video surveillance system at the jail. The project includes the use of existing functional cameras, wiring, and network switches, along with additional equipment needed to update the system.
The Dale County Chronicle spoke with Captain Baxley of the Dale County Jail about the security surveillance and asked him why the jail needed the expensive equipment upgrade.
“The old system was having issues. We were having trouble logging into the system, and it just got to the point where we needed a new system,” Capt. Baxley said. He added the old system needed to be upgraded for jail security.
In other jail-related business, the Commission approved the renewal of the inmate telephone communications system. Baxley informed the Chronicle that the current system works for the most part but occasionally has its “ups and downs.”
When we inquired about the cost of the inmate calling system, the Chronicle was informed that the county currently makes money instead of paying out at this time because inmates must pay for use of the phone system. The management of the inmate communication system is negotiated by Praeses with the provider, ICSolutions, on behalf of the county. The agreement is renewed on a month-to-month basis.
The commission also approved an expenditure through Fund 116. The $5,568.62 expenditure will cover replacement of a 7.5-ton compressor and recharging of the R-410a refrigerant system on the jail’s Cell Block 3 HVAC system. The work includes replacing a 115-volt belt-drive blower motor, a compressor, and associated components.
Commissioners approved the reappointment of Vernon Johnson, CEO of Dale Medical Center, to the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation (ODEDC) Board of Directors at Johnson’s request and ODEDC’s recommendation.
Johnson’s new three-year term will begin following the expiration of his current term in September 2026.
Moving to personnel matters, the commission also approved provisions under Act 2026-608 of the Alabama Legislature authorizing a one-time lump-sum payment for eligible members and beneficiaries of the Employees’ Retirement System.
The payment applies to retirees who retired before Oct. 1, 2025. Eligible recipients will receive a one-time payment of $1 for each month of credited service, with payments scheduled for October 2026.
The estimated cost to Dale County for the retirement benefit is $21,125, making up the largest single expenditure that was approved. The Chronicle was told that this only occurs about once every four years.
Commissioners also approved a request from the Town of Newton for county assistance with emergency road repairs in the Woodland Hills area.
The road was closed after a creek washed out a drainage pipe. Under the agreement requested by Newton Mayor William E. Pruett Jr., the Town of Newton will reimburse Dale County for the full cost of the repair, which is approximately $7,500.
Summary of items approved by the Dale County Commission:
-The commission also addressed additional business involving Sheriff’s Office communications towers and inmate communication services.
-County personnel administration — Approved two new job descriptions, a new hire, an internal employee transfer, and educational travel for staff training and county business.
-Dale County Jail surveillance system — Approved a $10,498 purchase and installation proposal from Miller Alarm & Electronics Inc. The approved items include:
One Luminys 8K 64-channel Extreme Series Network Video Recorder with LumiSearch.
One 16TB hard drive for the network video recorder.
Two LM 4MP turret cameras with 2.8 mm lenses and audio.
Two LM junction boxes for cameras.
One package of miscellaneous materials and hardware.
One labor package for installation, programming, and system setup.
-Dale County Jail HVAC repairs — Approved $5,568.62 for Hagler Heating & Cooling to replace a 115-volt belt-drive blower motor and related components serving Cell Block 3.
-ODEDC Board reappointment — Approved the reappointment of Dale Medical Center CEO Vernon Johnson to a three-year term on the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
-Employees’ Retirement System retiree payment — Approved a one-time lump-sum payment under Act 2026-608 for eligible ERS retirees and beneficiaries at an estimated county cost of $21,125, a process that occurs approximately once every four years or so according to officials.
-Town of Newton road repair assistance — Approved county assistance for repairs in the Woodland Hills area, with the Town of Newton reimbursing Dale County for the full cost.
-Additional county operations — Discussed matters involving Sheriff’s Office communications towers and inmate communication services.
The Dale County Commission holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The meetings begin with a work session at 10:00 a.m., followed immediately by the commission’s voting session. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
