By Rachel Reniva and Jeff Devine
The Dale County Commission met Tuesday morning for its regular scheduled meeting. The Commission approved its full agenda, which included items ranging from employee benefits and vehicle transfers to EMS funding, county road projects, and jail repairs. They also approved hiring a new tag clerk.
EMS Funding Split Between County and City
Commissioners discussed how emergency medical service (EMS) costs will be divided moving forward, with Dale County and the City of Ozark each covering their respective appropriations. When asked by Chairman Steve McKinnon, an EMS representative at the meeting explained the daily challenges of providing proper coverage across the county.
“We start with what we have to do, go outside the box and find transports,” the representative said. “We have a good relationship with UAB and do transfers there, but what y’all are putting forward is not near enough to what it takes to run EMS.” The department currently employs 10 full-time and 20 part-time workers and frequently transports patients to nursing homes, dialysis centers, and hospitals across the Wiregrass area. “Unfortunately, emergency transport services cost money; I wish they didn’t, but they do,” the EMS official added.
Road and Bridge Truck Transferred to Solid Waste
To save money on equipment purchases, the commission approved a truck transfer from the Road and Bridge Department to the Solid Waste Department. Instead of purchasing a new truck, Solid Waste will buy the existing one for $25,000, which Road and Bridge staff said reflects fair market value.
“It’s much less than buying new and still gives Solid Waste a reliable vehicle,” a county official said.
Jail Repairs and Safety Grant
The Sheriff’s Office reported ongoing repairs at the Dale County Jail, including work on toilets and painting cell blocks.
“We’ve tried to do some of the work in-house to save money,” Sheriff’s officials said, though the total cost of the project wasn’t immediately available during the meeting. The Dale County Chronicle has reached out for more information on the cost of this project and will update this article when that information becomes available.
The commission also discussed the county’s safety grant reimbursement, which will continue on a quarterly disbursement schedule for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Road Projects and Materials Contracts
County Engineer Matt Murphy provided updates on several road projects, saying, “We’re still paving County Road 16 and close to halfway with 445. We’ll be on 445 the rest of the week and expect to move to 221 next week.” Murphy added that the work schedule will depend on weather conditions.
The commission approved bids for local rock and lime used in road-packing materials, awarding portions of the contract to two companies to lower costs and shorten hauling distances.
“The biggest convenience is how close it is — we can usually haul three loads a day to a site,” Murphy said.
A traffic sign replacement bid was also approved. The cost will be 20% higher due to an increase in the cost of aluminum. To offset expenses, some damaged signs will be refurbished in-house.
Ariton Requests Help With Sewer Repairs
The Town of Ariton requested assistance from the county’s Road and Bridge Department to repair a sewer area near the lagoon off Highway 123. The project is expected to cost around $2,000 in labor and equipment, with Ariton providing new drainage pipes for the project.
Employee FSA Program Proposal
The Commission discussed a proposal for Dale County to begin offering a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program for employees. County Administrator Cheryl Ganey explained that, if approved, this would allow workers to set aside pre-tax income which could then be used for medical expenses. It was recommended that the county cover the approximately $4–$5 administrative fee per employee, estimated at roughly $3,000 annually.
“We could have the same company handle this as Houston County,” she explained. Commissioners asked for additional details about employee education and implementation of the program before voting.
The county must make a decision by November 15 to have the program in place by January 1, 2026.
Commissioners also revisited plans for the Sheriff’s Department training facility, noting that they purchased its own 50×72 pole barn kit to save money on materials. However, costs increased slightly due to added insurance requirements. They expect the assembly of the kit to begin next week.
Sheriff’s officials added that the department has had a “very busy last four or five days,” while commissioners noted the shift in weather could slow some outdoor projects.
The Dale County Chronicle recorded the meeting, and it can be viewed by clicking here.
https://youtu.be/1ufDe5BWWL0?si=rWkUA5e11FXfED6b
