[0:11] This time I'd like to call to order the August 24th, 2026 Jackson County

[0:16] Commission meeting. Thanks for our members of our singing

[0:21] room river trail staff for being here today and the opportunity to hear their

[0:26] the planning for Jackson County and we will get to that in our business portion

[0:30] of the meeting today. At this time I would like to ask Miss Turner, our

[0:34] county administrator, please call the station.

[0:39] » Present. >> Commissioner Kmer

[0:41] » present. >> Commissioner Buckner.

[0:44] Commissioner McRide >> present. We do have a quorum if everyone

[0:48] would please stand

[0:53] and commission.

[0:57] Thank you. Let's pray together. God father, we come before you and it's

[1:02] appropriate at this time to just give you blessings and and we're so thankful

[1:06] give you thanks for the natural beauty of the county that we live in in this

[1:10] part of the country. Uh we have the mountains, we have lakes, we have

[1:14] rivers, we have uh trees and forests. And God, we're just so blessed to live

[1:20] in this part of the country that that is so beautiful that you made it that way.

[1:24] God, we also pray that we will be good stewards of the the outdoors that you've

[1:30] given us to enjoy and to uh to use for our benefit. So God, we're thankful for

[1:36] all of these things. We're also thankful, God, for the people of this

[1:38] county. We pray you'll continue to watch over us all and guide us in Christ's

[1:42] name. Amen. >> Attention to pledge. I pledge allegiance

[1:49] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it

[1:54] stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[2:00] for all.

[2:06] your uh packet is the agenda for tonight's meeting. We do have two items

[2:12] in our mute business portion of the meeting, two items that we discussed in

[2:17] the last fourth session. And as I mentioned earlier, we kind of done item

[2:23] for discussion in our work session. Uh with that, do I have a motion uh to

[2:29] approve the agenda for the commission meeting August the 24th, 2026?

[2:35] Motion >> second.

[2:37] » The motion. We have a second. All in favor say I.

[2:40] » I. >> Motion carried.

[2:42] » We don't have any awards or presentations and no public comment

[2:46] tonight. Directly into the new business portion

[2:50] of the meeting. In our last meeting, uh, our EMA director Josh Whitum made a made

[2:59] a recommendation to surplus radio tower and that would transition into radio uh,

[3:06] teams that are working in support of the opportunity to discuss this with them.

[3:12] Uh, they think that they could be very useful and helpful in what they're doing

[3:16] and their support of our emergency management office. So, do I have a

[3:20] motion to surplus the radio tunnel from EMA?

[3:23] » I make that motion. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second?

[3:26] » Second. >> We have a second. Any questions,

[3:29] discussion? If not, all in favor say I. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Second item

[3:35] we have is regarding the 2027 county transportation plan. Uh,

[3:42] our county engineer briefed that to us at the last work session. you do have

[3:47] the uh copy sheet of the transportation in your packets. This will be certainly

[3:53] forwarded to ALDOT and also it has to be publicly posted

[3:58] for the public. Um give you a chance to to look over that.

[4:07] So, do I have a motion to approve the FY 2027 county transportation plan?

[4:14] » Motion. >> We have a motion. We have a second.

[4:17] » Second. >> We have a second. Any questions or

[4:20] discussion? I I just want since Mr. Campbell's not here, I just wanted for

[4:25] the record uh to make sure that as we make this public that this is for safety

[4:31] and paving upgrades. And so it's it's very it's very comprehensive program. Uh

[4:37] and so when when you look at the mileage and divide the numbers, it's it's more

[4:42] than just putting asphalt on the road. You know, this is uh in fact using the

[4:48] federal exchange funds we get as well as the rebuild Alabama funds to support

[4:53] that federal grant that we have that is specifically

[4:58] uh for the purpose of redoing a nine roads across Jackson County for those

[5:02] exact purposes to make them safer. Um so any other questions, comments?

[5:10] Um if not uh all in favor say I. >> I.

[5:15] » Motion carries. Thank you. That's the last item in our new business portion.

[5:20] We'll now move to the work session. And we are fortunate tonight to have the

[5:25] singing river trail uh team here tonight to give us a brief on the Jackson the

[5:32] plan that they have been working now. I think this has been going on for a

[5:35] little over a couple years to for the opportunity to create some uh

[5:44] trails through Jackson County. That would certainly be of great benefit to

[5:50] us. So, let me turn it over to you guys. >> Good evening, commission. Thanks for

[5:54] having us tonight to tell you about the Singing River Trail and this plan that

[5:58] we have here uh that Brian will tell you a little bit more about later. But my

[6:02] name is Scott Graham. I'm the new trail development project manager. I've been

[6:06] on the job now for about three months. Before that, I was a project manager for

[6:10] Ducks Unlimited in Louisiana, but I'm originally from North Alabama. I'm glad

[6:13] to be home and take part in such an amazing project that's really going to

[6:17] transform North Alabama and Jackson County because as y'all are well aware

[6:21] of, Jackson County is probably one of the prettiest counties in North Alabama.

[6:25] and uh singing river trail really wants to help y'all protect that and enhance

[6:29] the outdoor recreation opportunities through it. And so if you're not

[6:33] familiar with the trail, it's going to be a 200 plus mile long greenway system

[6:37] that runs across North Alabama, mostly paralleling the Tennessee River. Um

[6:42] singing River is what the Native Americans called the Tennessee River. Um

[6:46] we've got a neat little story in here about how that came about if you want to

[6:49] read it. But what you have in front of you is just a summary of the plan. And

[6:52] the full plan is about 80 pages that we can get you electronically if you'd

[6:56] like. But uh eventually the singing river trail is going to run from

[7:00] Bridgeport here in Jackson County across the state all the way to Florence and

[7:05] it's going to connect multiple small towns and large communities such as

[7:08] Huntsville, Decator, Florence and uh be able to increase recreational assets uh

[7:14] provide economic opportunities for small businesses,

[7:18] provide health benefits to local residents as well as visitors alike. So,

[7:22] it's really just a win-win for everyone to have these greenways and trails on

[7:25] the ground in your county. The reasons we're here tonight is to ask y'all to

[7:31] formally adopt this plan. Um to to review it and to have it have it in your

[7:36] back pocket so that when opportunities come available for funding and whatnot,

[7:41] seeing River Trail is able to take advantage of those opportunities without

[7:44] delay and actually put trails on the ground and u and and make this plan go

[7:50] from paper to reality. Um, so with that, like I said, I've been on the job for

[7:54] only three months now, but Brian King with GMC did all the public outreach

[7:58] was, which was really extensive to develop this plan. That was all done

[8:02] before I got here, so he can give you a little bit more detail about that. But,

[8:06] uh, I would encourage you all to review it and ask us any questions while we're

[8:09] here tonight. And, uh, Brian can take it from here and maybe give you some

[8:12] details about the plan and what all we have in store for Jackson Cafe.

[8:23] I'm Brian K. I am the

[8:31] lead planner for Goodwin Mills Kwood, vice president of planning at the time

[8:36] for GMC. First of all, it has been an absolute

[8:41] honor to get paid to come explored county and um I'm hooked and I just want

[8:50] to be um to make sure that other people have that experience then come hooked uh

[8:58] with this county. Uh the the prayer to open us up was a great segue into

[9:06] you know me preaching to the choir. You know what you've got. Uh is this

[9:11] question of what do we do with that? And what we want to talk about today is uh

[9:18] making sure you understand the importance of trails move forward to

[9:22] unlock the tremendous amount of assets you've got here in the county.

[9:28] So, uh, I want to talk briefly about why Trails of Jackson County, uh, touch a

[9:35] little bit on the process, highlight the route overview, and then

[9:40] talk about how we use uh, this plant.

[9:45] So, again, just going to beat the dead horse. Um,

[9:52] your county is the most uh unique county in the state of Alabama, hands down, in

[9:58] my opinion. Comes to topography,

[10:03] no question. Uh when it comes to um natural resources,

[10:10] uh when it comes to public land, I believe you've got the most public land

[10:16] percentage wise of any county in the state. Um and you know, not to forget

[10:25] the the lake and the Tennessee River. So,

[10:32] how do we connect those? How do we make uh the most return on that? And how do

[10:39] we make that most accessible to our current residents? Um how can that apply

[10:46] to growth? Um both economically and residentially and

[10:54] um how do we incorporate it in into what we do um as as county. So, um, again,

[11:04] you know, we couldn't have asked for a more unique place, uh, to to do a trail

[11:11] master plan. Your resources are endless and and they're anchored by some

[11:19] phenomenal small towns that really pair nicely with this rural trail

[11:26] mash plan. If you if you flip to this page which circles on it.

[11:34] Um so why are trails important?

[11:39] Trails are have a massive return on investment. Uh and when I talk about

[11:47] return on investment I I speak of that holistically. Um so I speak of the

[11:54] quality of life they provide. um the assets to tourism. They increase

[12:00] property values. They create jobs. They uh they allowing

[12:06] you to attract employers that may be on the fence. Um and studies have uh

[12:14] surprisingly and literally shown that there is stronger community pride when

[12:20] uh trails are present in a community. So going back to actual literal return

[12:27] on investments um we have looked at uh studies across the

[12:35] country and um studies have shown that even in rural areas return on investment

[12:43] is at least 72% of

[12:49] of construction cost and maintenance. So, u significant return on investment,

[12:56] and we're not just talking, uh, big cities. We're talking

[13:02] communities and counties of your scale. That 72% return on investment is

[13:08] significant. Um, even more significant is

[13:13] Silver Comet Trail, one highlight. It's got a little more density to it, but

[13:18] they they're looking at over 400% return on investment, which is

[13:26] astronomic. So, the benefits of trails is immense.

[13:33] Uh and you you are at a time now uh where trails

[13:40] can be incorporated into into your processes into conversations

[13:48] with your county engineer um into your grant decision making. And um I want to

[13:55] talk uh a little bit at the end about how we're offering to to help with that.

[14:01] So when when we think about trails, I want to challenge you to consider um

[14:08] consider thinking about trails like you do um industrial

[14:14] uh site development um or just in industrial recruitment because the

[14:21] benefits are equal and um they they both follow the exact same. the the quality

[14:30] of recruitment you're able to get if you've got natural assets and trails to

[14:35] connect them is significant. Does that make sense?

[14:45] So, next we've just got a couple more highlights for you. Um, more this last

[14:51] one is particular swamp rabbit and green bull.

[14:56] It's is a very famous study uh but but not necessarily

[15:02] uh as as rural as the trails we're talking about today, but uh Tammy Trace

[15:09] Trail is a great example for y'all to look at. 31 mile rural trail connecting

[15:16] five towns. Because of this farmers markets opened, um concerts and

[15:22] festivals started happening and they have documented their annual um impact

[15:30] specifically um before and after and they found that uh the the annual

[15:39] ROI local impact is $2.8 million.

[15:47] So, um, turning the page here, uh, to get to your proposed trail route. Um,

[15:54] first of all, I want to just highlight the process that we've been through.

[15:58] This this has been a long time coming. Um, but and the the process

[16:06] um needs to continue. I just want to say that um it has been robust um to to

[16:14] bring us together here today. We've had about 20 meetings um and those those

[16:24] meetings included the public. They've been across the county. Um they've been

[16:29] with very uh enthusiastic people. They've uh they've been with very

[16:37] enthusiastic um elected officials, um mayors, um

[16:43] they've been with hunters. Um so we've met with um at least 100 people

[16:51] throughout county and because of that robust engagement, this trail alignment

[16:59] that you're seeing here has has changed over a dozen times. I I don't know

[17:08] specifically how many

[17:11] trail alignment, you know, where the trail is actually traveling. Um how many

[17:17] times it's changed, but it has changed a lot based on every single meeting we've

[17:23] heard. This this trail is your community's trail. Does that make sense?

[17:32] So, um, what you have here is in the yellow is the main spine, um,

[17:40] where Miss Graham was talking about. This this

[17:45] is the proposed route from Bridgeport beyond actually um, all the way to Gur.

[17:53] I mean, >> and so this this main spine is designed

[17:57] to um be that main corridor um that connects essentially state line to state

[18:05] line. Um what is unique about this countywide trail master plan

[18:16] is essentially you've gotten u two trail plans in one. This hasn't happened in

[18:23] any other county in SRT's footprint. Um we just couldn't help ourselves when we

[18:32] noticed how much public land you've got. And so with that um you have an ex a

[18:40] proposed extensive network of natural trails um through Puff and Planch.

[18:48] This uh is extremely important for what we call lowhanging fruit

[18:55] because to take a

[18:59] just just to be candid and kind of talk through this um a lot of implementation

[19:05] has been focused on the cities because that that's where the infrastructure is.

[19:11] That's where um you've got a tighter knit network of destinations. And so,

[19:19] um, so trail connections, um, can be built

[19:23] at at two, you know, two miles or less to get from point A to point B. With the

[19:32] county, that that's a different story, isn't it? Because you're the the length

[19:39] um that we're talking about and in a main spine at least is a lot longer. And

[19:45] so you need much more of a trail culture to be built um instead of

[19:53] that needs to happen prior to you deciding for a $10 million expenditure

[20:00] for instance. You know, you're you're not building a trail to nowhere. Um, so

[20:06] you you naturally need to to nurture and we need to nurture

[20:13] together a a more robust community of outdoor centric um destinations, which

[20:24] you certainly have, but we just need to continue to to nurture

[20:30] Jackson County as that destination and and continue to build

[20:37] um you as as that trail resource. And we we see in

[20:46] doing that um we need to start

[20:52] realistically with the natural trail system. Does that make sense?

[20:59] The cost there is is much smaller. uh the the network of potential vendors is

[21:08] is much greater and you can truly plug into to through a more robust

[21:14] partnership as opposed to uh building a trail on a county road.

[21:24] With that said, I think it it's still very important to um to identify funding

[21:31] annually. to look at um the state senator's discretionary funding and and

[21:39] the like and we'll talk about that. But but I just wanted to emphasize that um

[21:45] the natural trail system uh in the northern part of the county is is a

[21:51] logical and important first step to help you build that trail.

[21:57] If we look at North Georgia for instance, you know, they're they're just

[22:04] as rural as we are and and the only talkable to that landscape is Jackson

[22:12] County. And we can see the the economic impact of tourism uh in North Georgia.

[22:22] And I really want um and and hope you agree that

[22:30] that level or some level of elevated outdoor tourism would be a huge impact

[22:38] um to to your local citizens. And because you are

[22:44] between the um between two very prominent uh metros

[22:52] that are full of outdoor enthusiasts, they just need a reason and we just need

[22:58] to market um what what resources we're able to scrap together and and slowly

[23:06] build that because if if they come in on the weekends, spend spend some money and

[23:12] go home. That is the definition of the most return on

[23:20] investment um for your community for your humanity

[23:27] for your citizens quality of life because tourism is the is the greenest

[23:35] um form of uh economic development that is

[23:43] by green I mean um money and and also just ease of operations.

[23:52] We all good on that? >> So

[23:57] we've we've outlined a couple of fail topologies here. This is not extensive.

[24:03] We I just wanted to throw in a couple of what

[24:08] you'll see in the full master plan. We've got Buffford's iPads. Um we've got

[24:15] on street improvements and then we've got uh low traffic uh farm to market

[24:22] roads. Just wanted to quickly give you a sense

[24:28] of that. So what do we do now?

[24:32] Again, this is a formal request to adopt uh the Jackson County Trail Master Plan.

[24:44] This plan is a tool and not a mandate. There is is no money obligations tied to

[24:54] adopting this plan. there is no money obligated

[25:00] um to adopting this program. So um as a tool this serves to as a roadmap for

[25:11] trail investment. This positions us to go after state federal funding including

[25:17] TAP atri um and

[25:23] a number of other things. funding opportunities including even

[25:29] earmarks. Uh this helps guide the county engineer. Um this this

[25:40] operates as a reminder um to what I call the big wants policy. If we're doing a

[25:48] lively and uh it does not hurt to remember this and just at a quick glance

[25:58] talk to somebody and see if there is an opportunity for for

[26:06] and the like. Um, >> this also, um, is just a reference

[26:13] point, um, for trail opportunities to staff, to, uh, you as a commission, and

[26:20] to future commissioners um, to encapsulate all the work that's

[26:26] been done. And um and again this is a plan and these are

[26:36] trails that were built by your citizens. So um what I want to also say is

[26:45] with this process um

[26:49] we're not done. We're not done. We would like to continue to work with you. Um

[26:57] uh SRT is a phenomenal group. Um their their mission is to uh share grant

[27:06] opportunities. Um their mission is to not plan projects. So this this is a

[27:17] fraction of of what their goal is. Their goal is to put trails on the ground. and

[27:23] say this is just a a means to an end. Does that make sense? They're not in the

[27:29] business of making 80page documents. They're uh they're currently

[27:36] building doing construction documents um and signing about 70 miles of trails

[27:45] across the state right now. and we just want to make sure that we're putting you

[27:53] um in best position possible uh to be next on that list. Um, so we're we've

[28:01] already had several conversations uh at the state house uh about Jackson County

[28:07] and the potential to to unlock um some of that public land for

[28:16] trails for recreational use that's uh that would add to the the hunting um

[28:24] that you're already experiencing. Um, and

[28:28] we just we just want to reiterate again that we would like you to consider us

[28:36] almost like on on call staff. Um, please please

[28:42] we will reach out and and ask if you're interested in opportunities, but um we

[28:50] we would like to come back and and do updates. Um, we would like to just have

[28:56] a working relationship with you because we we talked about the process like it's

[29:03] over when a plan is adopted. It's not. We we would like to

[29:11] um invite you to join us in our passion for trails and even even a certain

[29:20] percentage and just um you use us. We we're asking you to to use this. Um your

[29:28] your resources are immense and a big next step is to

[29:37] just peel off those lowhanging fruit opportunities and put some trails on

[29:42] there. Um I'm I'm open to I'm not going to dive

[29:48] into the specific routes. Um it's it's 70 miles plus

[29:55] um probably another 70 plus of natural trails that we've outlined. But um any

[30:02] any questions for me outside of AJ is what I'm told guys.

[30:08] A uh a quick question. >> Um will any of the trail route uh

[30:17] involve using our county roads uh as a portion of the trail where they all be

[30:23] to the side of the trail or the road, excuse me. Long longterm

[30:31] they would all be side paths. short term um we would be interested in um in

[30:40] throughout your engineering process to identify

[30:45] potential opportunities for for bike lanes. So but

[30:50] but long term the answer is is protected side use. So, like I'm looking at this

[30:59] map. You said you didn't want to discuss RS, but down I guess at 67 down the

[31:03] Langston Road. Is that like a spur? >> What page?

[31:07] » I'm on this page. >> Okay.

[31:09] » And you had like a you had like a spur. >> What box is

[31:14] » dotted line right along the Tennessee River where

[31:18] it's leading down the section or below section there? That's the lakes

[31:24] and roads to the southeast. Yeah, it runs down along the river.

[31:29] » Yeah, >> that's right.

[31:31] » Is that what we were planning there? >> Um, so

[31:38] we did map out going to section. Um, we're also working

[31:46] uh uh Marshall County is uh will be the

[31:53] last county trail plan and we're and so that will be firmed up um in in our

[32:02] second pass. But but yes, that >> yeah, I don't think I'm making myself

[32:08] clear. This one is right when you cross the bridge. Yes, sir. You would turn

[32:13] right and go along the river side. >> Correct.

[32:16] » Would y'all be going down that road or to the side of the How? Because there's

[32:21] not a lot of room on that road. >> There's not

[32:23] » not a lot at all. >> It's

[32:27] the connection between Scottsboro and Gunnersville will will be um

[32:33] » will be a challenge. It's gorgeous, but it will be a challenge.

[32:37] » We want that area to be utilized. It's beautiful and we we're all for it. But

[32:41] that is one of my favorite routes. >> I love that route. I grew up there.

[32:46] » Um Yes, sir. We've looked at that and and we we went so far as as to price out

[32:54] um extending the u rip wrap, you know, because there's a lot of not bridges,

[33:02] but you know, rip wrap highway cutthroughs and and Gunnersville has has

[33:09] been surprisingly successful at at getting those done. So there there is a

[33:16] strong local presence uh precedent for for that route.

[33:25] » Okay. Other questions? >> Let me ask um I know you've been working

[33:32] across the state. Uh you talked to some of your successes so far that is you

[33:39] have worked with some of the communities west of us. I think you guys have been

[33:43] involved with some of them for a couple years. Sure.

[33:49] » So, we've had a lot of success uh with existing trails on the ground that we're

[33:55] like you call that new route. We're going to sign those put our signs out

[33:59] and bring awareness to the trail and uh bring bring that brand to those

[34:04] communities so that when opportunities come to build new trails, they'll be

[34:07] familiar with what Singing River Trail is and and how that can come to their

[34:12] community and benefit it. Um, but in particular, we've got some trails on the

[34:16] ground in Florence. Um, we've got some trails that are wrapping up in Leon,

[34:20] Alabama right now. That's a downtown corridor segment was funed through a tap

[34:24] grant. Um, and Decatur or before we get to Decator, we have Courtland that's

[34:29] about to go to construction. That's another downtown segment. It's going to

[34:33] be sidewalk street improvement. Um, connecting downtown to one of their

[34:37] parks. indicator. We actually had a $18 million grant that got clawed back

[34:41] unfortunately through Doge. Um but before it all got clawed back, we had

[34:46] two million allocated already. And so that's going towards research and a

[34:50] study to see how we can update existing trails within Decar. Um particularly on

[34:54] the Bill Sims trail, which is an existing trail route that Decar wants to

[34:59] improve. We have existing trails on the ground in Athens as well as the Richard

[35:05] Martin Trail. They'll connect from the Tennessee line uh down to Athens and

[35:10] then in Huntsville. They're one of our main supporters, our original

[35:13] supporters. Um there's extensive amount of greenways there that we're working to

[35:17] connect with the city of Huntsville as well as uh the Land Trust of North

[35:21] Alabama, which is a partner through Huntsville to help get those greenways

[35:25] built by helping with eastern acquisition. And then Gurley is actually

[35:29] about to kick off construction as well. They have another TAP grant to do a

[35:32] downtown segment. It's going to go from their downtown to a park. And uh here in

[35:37] Jackson County, we're making some headway in Bridgeport as well as here in

[35:41] Scottsboro, talking with local officials like yourself. Um but Jackson County is

[35:46] one of our newest counties. So we're we're still getting the ball rolling on

[35:49] a lot of projects here. And like he said, we do have our master plan to be

[35:54] completed of our eight counties. That'll be in Marshall County. We hope to get

[35:58] that funded and uh get that research and outreach going here in the next couple

[36:02] of months. Get our last master plan done in Marshall County. That'll give them

[36:07] that have a plan for all eight counties to work in. I believe in in plan for

[36:13] Scottsboro connected Will to City Park and uh and then kayak opportunities

[36:21] across the county park. So it's it's you're integrating I think Tennessee

[36:26] River Line into your plan. That's correct. The trail,

[36:32] » right? So Tennessee Riverline is a a great counterpart to us. They're their

[36:36] own separate nonprofit as you know. Um but we we often get confused because we

[36:40] kind of have the same same I guess mission to increase outdoor recreation

[36:45] and whatnot, but they stay on the river. We we stay on the land for the most

[36:49] part. But wherever we meet on the riverfront, we do work together to do

[36:52] co-branding and awareness for our trails and uh make sure that we're not

[36:57] duplicating efforts. So, we're in close close communication with sing or

[37:01] Tennessee River Line. >> My last my last question, it it seems

[37:06] and tell me if I'm wrong, for you to be able to go after federal and state

[37:12] funding, you you need an adoption of your plan.

[37:15] » That's correct. >> That's correct. as well as an updated

[37:19] plan. So, we're actually updating our original master plan right now. That was

[37:23] for the the original idea for this whole trail which was only three counties to

[37:28] connect the Calhoun campuses in Huntsville, Decator as well as the Athen

[37:31] State University campus. So, that was Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties.

[37:35] it blew up from three counties now to eight counties because there's people

[37:39] are so on board with the idea and uh so we're actually updating that master plan

[37:43] here this fall and uh we can like you said take that to go get some bigger

[37:48] funding from the state as well as federal funding. So one of our internal

[37:52] goals for the singing river trail was to have 60% of the plan done in five years

[37:57] and the way that that's going to be done is through our existing trails that are

[38:00] on the ground that we are going to put signs on and activate those trails. So,

[38:04] sounds ambitious ambitious, but it's very doable. And so, we're going to hope

[38:09] to have that done in five years. And then once that's done, we can move

[38:12] forward with a maybe a bigger ask for funding to do some more connections

[38:16] within towns and connect then connecting towns to each other.

[38:20] » All right. You have a question. and with their help, you know, um it

[38:27] sounds like they putting signs on existing trail networks, but really

[38:33] they're they're opening up um trails that may not be known by a lot of people

[38:41] um to a much bigger audience. And so so the that trail usage just goes up and

[38:50] those studies have shown that people who use trails um stay longer, spend more

[38:57] locally um and then again um they go home

[39:05] » and y'all maintain the trails and or y'all hire that. How does that work?

[39:10] » So like you said, these trails are your community trails. We want this this plan

[39:14] is not set in stone. Like you said, the alignments change. So once con it goes

[39:19] to construction and we decide on an alignment, uh it'll pro it'll most

[39:23] likely be down to the community level to maintain these trucks is the majority of

[39:28] them within city limits are going to be on a public ement, right? And so one of

[39:32] our future goals through the Sing River Trails to have a maintenance endowment

[39:36] that we can help cities with. That's definitely something we want to do and

[39:39] help with. Um but and when we do get to that point, um we we do factor in annual

[39:47] maintenance as as part of cost. So it it's it's not an unknown variable when

[39:53] we do get to that point. But again, early wins here is continuing to work

[39:59] with the state, being able, you know, we've got another meeting coming up. Um

[40:05] it's the date's not set yet, but um to be able to say, you know, David, um this

[40:12] trail was made by the county. It's just been adopted by the county. And for the

[40:16] state to truly know that um we we're supporting y'all um when we when we talk

[40:22] to them, that's really important.

[40:26] » Okay. Uh if there are no more questions, um

[40:32] they're asking that we would adopt the singing railroad trail plan for Jackson

[40:37] County. Uh it's not a financial um obligation.

[40:44] Uh are we okay putting this on the new business for the next meeting?

[40:51] Okay, we will do that. really appreciate you guys being here and thanks everyone.

[40:58] » Thank you for your time. >> Yes. Thank you all for having us. Thank

[41:00] you. >> Thank you.

[41:03] » It's the last item in our work session. We'll go to the staff county

[41:12] attorney. >> Okay. Thank you,

[41:14] » Jere. Anything Josh? Anything else? Okay. Uh so we'll now move for the

[41:21] comment from the commission. Uh commissioner welcome district.

[41:26] » I just want to thank everybody for coming out today and I don't have

[41:28] anything else to add. Thank you sir. >> Uh District 4 Commissioner McBride echo

[41:33] sentiment um thank you to all our employees for all hard work they put

[41:37] into our county. Thank you guys for coming and presenting to us.

[41:42] » District two Mr. K. I'd like to remind you of a fella that little girl had the

[41:47] accident been a good while. She's in Texas at a

[41:51] rehab center, new rehab center and reports for her getting she is making

[41:56] some health

[42:00] district one the commissioner's goal. >> Uh I was able to go down and attend the

[42:04] ACCA conference last week. had a good networking session with the other

[42:07] commissioners and uh had um good session on learning about the some of the new

[42:13] laws Bose law and ways the county those affect the county and and looking

[42:20] forward to sharing what's learned with the rest of commission.

[42:25] » Okay, I don't have anything to add with that. Uh we will uh the next meeting is

[42:31] scheduled for September the 14th. Uh meeting will be here.

[42:39] Uh at this time we need to move into an executive session to have a discussion

[42:45] regarding pending litigation. So do I held a motion to move into

[42:52] effect. Have

[42:54] » a motion. We have a second. could have stepped on before.

[43:00] Thank you.

August 24, 2026

Agenda

Transcript