By Jeff Devine
The Ozark City Council met Monday, December 1, to conduct its regular council business. The meeting, which typically takes place on the first and third Tuesday of each month, was scheduled early due to the Ozark Christmas Parade, which will occur on Tuesday, December 2, starting at 6:00 p.m.
The council unanimously approved the second reading for a Lounge Retail Liquor-Class II (Package) and 990-Tobacco Only License Application for Rink LLC. (Trade Name Hwy. Liquor), located at 1990 Highway 231 S., Ozark. The applicants for the license are Mishal R. Patel and Rinkesh Patel, both residents of Dothan.
The council then discussed the reappointment of current Ozark City Attorney Joe Adams and multiple board appointments.
Mayor Charles Ward addressed the council and made the following recommendations regarding appointments:
City Attorney Joe Adams, Ozark Dale County Library: Reappointment of Liz Delaney and Christina Faulkner. The council voted unanimously to approve these appointments.
Historical Preservation Commission: The mayor recommended that nearly all of the current board members be reappointed to 3-year terms. The appointments include Charles Veneziano, Susan Judah, Laura Bruce (to replace Ozzie Maianeto on the board), Matthew Simechak, Holle Smith, Caitlyn Cummings, Rosemarie Williamson, Rachel Barefield, and Angela Maultsby. These appointments were also approved by unanimous vote.
Planning Commission: Ryan Campbell and Mayor Charles Ward.
Public Safety Director Jason Maertens and Police Chief Michael Bryan were also appointed to the E-911 Board. All of the board appointment recommendations were approved unanimously.
The council then heard from City Clerk/CFO Chris Peters regarding the proposed 2026 holiday schedule for the city. The council voted unanimously to approve the proposed schedule.
Next, the city council discussed a resolution officially opposing litigation brought by municipalities, including Tuscaloosa and Mountain Brook.
The lawsuit aims to eliminate the current Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) system Alabama uses to collect a standard 8% tax rate from out-of-state and online retailers that is then distributed by population to the state’s cities and counties. The lawsuit aims to change the system so that larger cities that charge higher local sales tax rates can collect more from purchases made from all out-of-state and online retailers, including Amazon and others.
Mayor Ward said, “When it’s all said and done, we’re all going to get less [tax revenue] than we get now. City Clerk/CFO Chris Peters agreed with the mayor, adding, “I’ll second that. Our 2025 SSUT tax collections was $1.4 million. We do not need to lose any of that…I’m in full support that we need to execute this resolution.” Peters added that traditional local sales tax revenues are down for the first two months of this fiscal year by $100,000, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current SSUT system.
Ozark is the latest in a growing list of local governments that oppose the litigation. Recently, Dale County and Houston County both voted to oppose the lawsuit. The Ozark City Council voted unanimously to approve the resolution opposing the litigation.
Council President Winston Jackson then called for public comments from people in attendance.
Resident Brittany Galland addressed the council regarding the local Salvation Army’s annual holiday bell ringing collection campaign. “Of course, I’m here to speak on our need for volunteer bell ringers this Christmas season,” she said.
Galland then briefly discussed the history and impact of the Salvation Army. “The only way the Salvation Army kettles work is if someone is there to ring the bell…our local Salvation Army serves four counties, including Dale, Coffee, Covington, and Butler. During this last year, it’s given over $25,000 or so in utility grants and keeping the food pantries stocked, and also providing a Christmas for…children in our area who wouldn’t have a Christmas otherwise….if you can give a couple hours of your time, we would be uniaginably grateful for that.”
Galland added that bell-ringing hours are 9-5 Monday through Saturday. She also pointed out that those interested in volunteering as a bell-ringer can register and choose their shift and location by going to registertoring.com. You can also reach out to Jason Johns at 3344453070 if you have any questions about the Salvation Army.
Heather Cohen then spoke about Operation Santa Claus, adding that this is the last week of the annual toy collection program.
The Ozark Fire Department and Police Department will have a friendly competition this Saturday, December 6, at Walmart to see which department collects the most toy donations from the public.
In the final comments portion of the meeting, Mayor Ward said, “First of all, thanks to the Ozark Fire Department and Police Department for collecting these toys. What y’all do to help the community is something awesome. I also want to thank everyone who helped by donating food, all the churches who helped around the community…some of the churches gave out food. It just shows you the love of this community. I just want to publicly thank the folks of this community for all they have done. I also want to recognize Heather Cohen…she was our coordinator for the United Way.” Ward also pointed out that there was an increase in United Way donations, up from 80 last year to 101 this year. He also pointed out that the total donations increased from approximately $16,000 last year to nearly $17,000 this year.
The mayor also said he was considering proposing an ordinance to establish warming shelters, saying he wanted to work to see what options the city can provide.
Ward also provided an update on the sports complex, adding, “We as a city started down this road, but we have reached out to ODEDC…and we didn’t have any official studies that would satisfy my requirements, and so ODEDC is going to organize the study to see if this project is feasible.” Once the study is completed, Ward said the city will move from there.
Holle Smith of ODEDC added, “We are just happy to play a role…we think that long term, this is a good investment.”
City Council Members then made final comments.
Caitlyn Cummings chose to praise the community for the success of the Thanksgiving holiday, saying, “We had a great Thanksgiving. It has been nice to see the change in the spirit of the town. If you come out to Walmart, you will get to see my lovely face ringing one of those [Salvation Army] bells.”
Council Member Brenda Simechak chose to remind everyone of the Ozark Christmas Parade set for Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. She also pointed out that the Carroll High School Christmas Bazaar is coming up this Friday, December 5, from 10:00 am-7:00 p.m. Furthermore, The Sounds of the Season band concert, which will feature several local school bands, will be held at The Ozark Civic Center on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Councilman Les Perault discussed CHS basketball in his closing remarks. He pointed out that the next home game is December 12, when the Eagles will take on Opelika.
Councilman Bryan Macario discussed several items in his closing remarks, saying, “I was blessed to be able to take off work and hand out food, and it was wonderful. Something that I enjoy doing, and I saw many of their familiar faces.: Macario also spoke about the need for a warming shelter in Ozark as temperatures continue to get colder with winter quickly approaching.
Macario also brought up the Williams Family, who are organizing a fundraiser for medical treatments. Macario said there will be a silent auction held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at The Cattleman’s Complex in Troy. There is a $5 admission fee.
Before adjourning the meeting, Council President Winston Jackson chose to praise area organizations for their generosity and the good work they did during the Thanksgiving holiday, specifically thanking Reality Check and area churches and organizations for making sure people had plenty of food during the holiday.
Below is the full video the Dale County Chronicle recorded of the Ozark City Council Meeting.
