[0:16] I'd like to read from Proverbs 16:33. The fear of the Lord is instruction in

[0:21] wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Heavenly Father, we know that human

[0:24] nature is to be haughty and prideful, but the leadership of this county,

[0:27] including me, practice humility and honesty. Thank you. In Jesus name.

[0:31] Amen. >> Good tune.

[0:33] Salute the flag.

[0:35] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[0:40] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:47] justice for all.

[1:09] » Thank you.

[1:12] We have a problem with stray animals, and uh

[1:16] Mr. Ford had for some time now 3 years ago, my neighbor's daughter was

[1:20] out running and was attacked by dogs. It was in District 4. You saw him I know

[1:24] you saw him back then. He was present at that time.

[1:27] I came into contact with this problem not so much where I live, but in

[1:32] campaigning going door-to-door, it was a big concern of a lot of our residents.

[1:37] I was in District 4. I can't speak for the other districts.

[1:40] I also saw it firsthand. I saw several strays running out most of the night.

[1:44] Most of them wouldn't attack you. They're just dogs that are out there on

[1:47] the street. I had couple of times I had to reverse

[1:51] course and go the other way. It's a big enough problem to where

[1:55] Dade bill is to work out its own solution. Dade

[1:58] Mayor Ledbetter is in the process of or I'm not sure I haven't talked to him in

[2:02] a little while if he's done it yet but hiring an off-duty police officer

[2:07] to be an animal control officer. He's running into another problem that

[2:11] there's nowhere to put the dog when you pick it up.

[2:14] Uh I have been a few times out to the Lake

[2:16] Martin Animal Shelter. Lake Martin Animal Shelter is

[2:20] have they have a hard time. They do the best they can with what they've got but

[2:23] they're underfunded. They don't have enough space. They're also under

[2:26] contract with the city of Alexander City and if you want to take a dog out there,

[2:31] good luck because they're usually not accepting dogs.

[2:35] That leaves you with nowhere to go. So, Mayor Ledbetter

[2:39] is working an arrangement with Lee County to pay a uh

[2:45] a pro rata share

[2:48] and so he can take his dogs and they can take the dogs from Dadeville all the way

[2:52] out to Lee County. That

[2:56] That shouldn't be happening in this county.

[2:59] We have

[3:02] This is a copy.

[3:06] Now, I think you guys are all aware of it. I know y'all have a

[3:10] a plan for a humane society or shelter uh

[3:15] in your offices. I saw that. Uh

[3:18] Alabama Code 3-78-7 requires every county to maintain a

[3:23] suitable animal pound and county office officer for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

[3:30] Running at large. Uh it goes on to talk about

[3:33] municipalities over 5,000 which is Alexander City.

[3:37] I don't know that we have a holding facility if we got an

[3:40] impoundment facility or we have an arrangement with

[3:44] kennel somewhere. Is there something There's such a thing in the business?

[3:53] Is there a plan? Or if you make shelter.

[3:57] There is. Where are we on >> I'm not sure to tell you.

[4:01] I mean, it's a valid question.

[4:05] » Um I know we should have funds now. We're

[4:09] not We're not putting away funds anymore. Uh

[4:12] so, those are not being withheld from the

[4:14] county budget. That's a million dollars a year that we should have available.

[4:18] This I think should be a priority. Although, it is it's not just for safety

[4:23] of people, but safety as far as price. Rabies is not eradicated in in this

[4:29] country. Uh Lake County experienced 21 cases from

[4:33] 19 2019 to 2023 of rabies season. Confirmed cases in animals, not people.

[4:39] It is a rare disaster disease in people. Elmore County, 17 cases. Caloosa, we

[4:44] only had three, but I understand we had one

[4:47] last week, not one last year. It was in

[4:52] Uh she has a name, but it was uh there was a case

[4:56] local enough to be a positive rabies case.

[5:02] Um Here are the 10 human deaths from rabies

[5:05] every year. So, it's not a big number, but it's a very severe problem.

[5:13] I would just ask that you look into that.

[5:19] Also, in there

[5:22] my information, if you were to decide that you want to go forward with this, I

[5:26] do have experience with animal control. Two cities, Hoover and Vestavia, used

[5:31] our clinics to impound animals. They didn't have their own impound facility,

[5:35] so they used us. Uh I have experience with those animal

[5:38] control officers who are trained and have the proper equipment to do it,

[5:41] unlike our day-to-day

[5:44] police officer off duty. Not I think that's of the things that's so

[5:48] so I appreciate your response to that.

[5:55] » Public comment, Brother Chris, Jane Harrison.

[6:02] » Good morning. >> Good morning, Chris.

[6:04] » Uh on behalf of the Tallapoosa County

[6:06] Extension Office and the Tallapoosa County 4-H program, uh we want to say

[6:09] thank you for your long support of 4-H program here in Tallapoosa County.

[6:15] Uh since 2010, um becoming County Extension

[6:19] coordinator, now retired to director, uh it was a priority to grow this

[6:23] program in 4-H in Tallapoosa County, and we have done that in the leaps and

[6:28] bounds. And today, we'd like to make a couple presentations and and give you

[6:32] some impact reports of what we have done, especially in the last year. We

[6:36] have closed out the Tallapoosa County 4-H program, and school has begun again.

[6:40] We're about to start another year, but we want to celebrate and let you know

[6:44] what we have done in this past year. Uh one of one of five, Mr. Trip Bowden,

[6:48] our 4-H agent, uh with us uh to come up here and provide a presentation.

[6:54] Provide some numbers and impact of what we have done.

[6:57] Uh this this past year, we have achieved more in 4-H than we have ever had in the

[7:02] 26 years that I have been employed in this office.

[7:05] So, it is mainly part of y'all's support, it's the community support,

[7:08] support from our parents, administration, teachers, and the

[7:12] community beyond the walls of Tallapoosa County. It is one of the top, if not in

[7:16] our opinion, the best in the state of Alabama.

[7:23] » Good morning. >> Good morning, Trip.

[7:24] » Thank you for the opportunity to be here with you this morning. My name is Trip

[7:27] Bowden, I'm the 4-H Extension agent for Tallapoosa County. Today, we're excited

[7:32] to be here for three reasons. First, to celebrate a successful 2025-2026

[7:37] 4-H year. Second, to recognize some outstanding young leaders through our

[7:40] Tallapoosa County 4-H Roll of Honor. And finally, to share some exciting news.

[7:45] and new opportunities coming to Telthis County for Alabama 4-H.

[7:49] As we begin a new 4-H school year, we want to take time to look back and

[7:52] celebrate what our youth have accomplished during the past year. And

[7:55] some of these you'll see photos of on the on the screen over here, and then on

[7:58] the copy that the commissioners have on paper.

[8:02] During 2025-2026, more than 2,000 Telthis County youth

[8:05] participated participated in 4-H clubs and related activities. In addition, we

[8:10] worked with more than 1,000 students through one-time enrichment programs.

[8:14] On average, we visited approximately 110 classrooms each month, delivering

[8:19] educational programs focused on STEM, agriculture, leadership, citizenship,

[8:24] workforce development, team building, problem-solving, and other life skills.

[8:28] In previous years, we topped out at about 65 monthly clubs, so we're very

[8:32] proud that we're reaching more classrooms and more students through our

[8:35] 4-H programs. Beyond the classroom, our members

[8:38] participated in a variety of hands-on learning experiences.

[8:41] This past year, we launched our first-ever 4-H pig project, which

[8:45] concluded in April with a show and auction that was the first event held at

[8:49] the new Telthis County Agricultural Arena.

[8:52] We're also currently in the middle of our 4-H poultry project, giving youth

[8:55] additional opportunities to develop agricultural knowledge, responsibility,

[8:59] and workforce skills. Service learning remains an important

[9:02] part of our program as well. During the summer, Telthis County 4-H members were

[9:06] partnered with Wind Creek State Park to install a pollinator garden, helping

[9:10] improve wildlife habitat while learning about environmental stewardship.

[9:14] Leadership development continues to be one of the hallmarks of our 4-H program.

[9:19] Our Telthis County 4-H Youth Council, made up of students in grades 6 through

[9:23] 12, representing every school in the county, remained actively involved

[9:26] throughout the year. In addition to developing leadership

[9:30] uh skills, youth council members completed several community service

[9:33] projects, including volunteering at Loaves & Fishes food pantry, and

[9:37] assisting Lake Martin Animal Shelter. One area where our program continues to

[9:41] shine is through youth achievement. This year, 124 Tallapoosa County 4-H

[9:46] members competed at county, regional, and state level competitive events,

[9:50] demonstrating the skills and knowledge that they gained through 4-H.

[9:54] We're especially proud of our graduating seniors. Cammie Cook and Clay Harris

[9:57] were each awarded Alabama 4-H Foundation scholarships in recognition of their

[10:02] hard work and accomplishments. We're also proud to have two current

[10:06] Alabama 4-H state ambassadors from Tallapoosa County. Colton Siggers was

[10:09] selected for his third term as an ambassador, and Sophie Bishop begins her

[10:13] first year in the program. Speaking of Colton, he represented not

[10:17] only Tallapoosa County, but the state of Alabama this spring when he attended two

[10:21] separate 4-H leadership events in Washington, D.C.

[10:25] Um which were within just a few weeks of each other.

[10:28] His experiences reflect the opportunities available to young people

[10:31] through 4-H and the impact these leadership programs can have.

[10:35] In January, we celebrated another major major accomplishment as we welcomed the

[10:39] Forest Stubble as our new 4-H agent assistant.

[10:42] None of these accomplishments would be possible without strong local

[10:45] partnerships. On behalf of our staff, volunteers, families, and youth, I want

[10:49] to thank the Tallapoosa County Commission and the Tallapoosa County

[10:52] Board of Education for your continued support of our program. Your investment

[10:56] in youth development helps create opportunities that positively impact

[11:00] impact young people across Tallapoosa County every single day.

[11:04] Another reason we're here today is to unveil the display you see on our side

[11:07] wall here. Tallapoosa County has a long tradition of developing leaders, and

[11:11] we're proud to recognize that legacy through the Tallapoosa County 4-H Wall

[11:14] of Honor. This display recognizes current and

[11:17] former Tallapoosa County 4-H members who have been selected to serve as Alabama

[11:22] 4-H state ambassadors. The Alabama 4-H state ambassador program

[11:26] is one of the highest leadership honors available to a 4-H member.

[11:29] Ambassadors are selected through a highly competitive process and serve as

[11:33] representatives of Alabama Alabama 4-H across the state.

[11:37] They provide leadership for statewide events, participate in service

[11:40] initiatives, assist with leadership development programs, and serve as role

[11:44] models for younger 4-H members. The program helps participants further

[11:47] develop leadership, communication, organizational, and service skills while

[11:52] representing Alabama 4-H at the highest level.

[11:55] Since 2018, Tallapoosa County has had 12 members select selected as state

[12:01] ambassadors. That's an impressive accomplishment, especially considering

[12:04] that our most recent state level 4-H leader before this generation was Clark

[12:08] Barton, who served on Alabama 4-H State Council in the late '80s, early '90s.

[12:15] Don't worry, we're still working on getting his picture so that you can have

[12:17] that in the school. Huh? A little harder to find.

[12:21] A little harder to find when they're not digitally here.

[12:24] Uh today we're fortunate to have several of these ambassadors with us, so I'll

[12:27] name all the 4-H members on the wall, and then if our 4-H members who are

[12:31] present will stand and be recognized. Uh Jayden Siggers,

[12:35] Mary Carol Raspberry, Colton Siggers, Oh, sorry. Colton Cook, you can keep

[12:41] standing there. Uh Blake Harris,

[12:44] uh Rebecca Raspberry, Katie Raspberry, Ali Green,

[12:49] Zane McWhorter, Cammie Cook, Clay Harris,

[12:53] Colton Siggers now, and Sophie Bishop.

[13:05] Hey guys, you can be seated. We have a handful of more ambassadors who weren't

[13:09] able to join us today, but we're proud to recognize their accomplishments as

[13:12] well. These young people represent the very

[13:14] best of Tallapoosa County. Through their leadership, service, and commitment to

[13:18] helping others, they've made our community stronger and have set an

[13:21] example for future generations of 4-H members.

[13:24] Finally, we'd like to share some exciting news about the future.

[13:27] Tallapoosa County has been selected as one of only 10 sites across Alabama to

[13:31] host an Alabama 4-H AmeriCorps member. And I'm going to invite Shane Harris,

[13:36] our County Extension Director, to talk more about this opportunity.

[13:40] » Thank you. I will first recognize the other guests

[13:42] we have. We have Dr. Charles Scott from the state office, 4-H office, that's

[13:46] very supportive, and also the leader for our 4-H Ambassadors. And the rookie, the

[13:51] new person with Alabama is Dr. Casey Mull, who now serves our leadership role

[13:55] for our director for the 4-H program. And so, folks, here we grow again. We're

[13:59] literally growing again. We have the opportunity to have another position in

[14:04] 4-H in Tallapoosa County. With what we've done already, we can do a lot

[14:08] more. Uh so, we have the opportunity to do

[14:10] this AmeriCorps program, which is a federal grant program that they uh

[14:14] introduced to us and pursued, and so Tallapoosa County was the one selected,

[14:19] and we jumped at the opportunity to to have this uh individual join us uh

[14:24] likely in October. And so, and this is actually an investment, a small

[14:27] investment for the county. For just $6,500, you can almost have a full-time

[14:31] position. You can't You can't

[14:34] hire anybody for that role. But, Trent and uh D and myself and the rest of the

[14:40] 4-H team, we presented a plan and seeing what else we can do. We want to do more

[14:44] with 4-H. We want to continue to grow, reach those areas of 4-H program that we

[14:49] have not done. Uh so, the sky's the limit, and uh we we

[14:54] are determined to be the very best in the state. And by your continued long

[14:58] support, uh we are determined to do that. So, we're looking forward to this

[15:02] individual joining us. Uh this could be a potential renewal

[15:05] position and how they go. We're still learning this. Uh Dr. Mull has some

[15:10] uh some past experience with that in Georgia, so we're very delighted with

[15:13] this. And we also want to thank uh state office for your continued support, not

[15:18] only with the ambassadors, but also believing in us and believing in the

[15:21] staff. And uh I also want to thank our court staff. Let me recognize Tony

[15:26] Fillis, the forest puggle, Trip for Bonnie, and Latonya Taylor. I think she

[15:31] stepped out, but all all our staff is dedicated to the adult programs in

[15:36] Calhoun County. And we have the best staff in the state. So, thank you again

[15:41] for your continued support. We appreciate all that you do.

[15:45] » Can I get some clarity? I was trying to speak up.

[15:49] » Yes, sir. >> How many students in Calhoun County?

[15:53] » Over 2,000. >> 2,000

[15:55] at least 1,000 per grade level. 3,000. >> 3,000.

[15:59] Okay. Okay. Calhoun City is part of that?

[16:02] » Yes, sir. >> Okay.

[16:05] Great job. >> Thank you.

[16:08] » Thanks very much. >> Thank you, Johnny. Thank you. Thank you.

[16:14] » Open up center agenda. Approve minutes of the 2013 2016 meeting.

[16:21] Second. >> All in favor?

[16:22] » Aye. >> Approve minutes of the 2016 2020 city

[16:27] special called meeting. >> I second.

[16:30] » Second. >> All in favor?

[16:31] » Aye. >> Approve warrants for the first quarter.

[16:35] » I second. >> Second.

[16:37] » All in favor? >> Aye.

[16:39] » Approve candidate of alcoholic beverage license fees.

[16:43] » The ladies like to pass 40 alcohol license

[16:46] types of staying on your calendar to take a seat for me.

[16:48] I recommend that you approve the license types and the fees.

[16:54] » I second.

[16:57] » Second. >> All in favor?

[16:58] » Aye. >> Approve surplus unit 271.

[17:03] $25 charge of being number two state police CTX8G7F8841215

[17:12] sheriff car. >> If the request is approved, surplus to

[17:14] send this last days.

[17:18] » I second.

[17:27] » Yeah, this is a 5-year project we've been working on

[17:30] taking each pieces. So, we'll be asking for 10 blocks to be put in our jail.

[17:35] Some of them have waited and the next year we'll have 11 more when we

[17:38] have them all complete.

[18:14] Yeah, Joanne McCain who lives up on Sanford Road has about 10 acres has

[18:20] requested approval to to rehabilitate small non-dangerous wildlife. The

[18:26] Alabama Department of Conservation requires the commission to approve that.

[18:30] She's got a cage and the things that would rehab those that are already

[18:35] in there. No cost to us, nothing to us other than we just have to approve.

[18:40] » Do you know what kind of what >> I I do. We've been through all this.

[18:44] I've I've talked to the Department of Conservation. It will be It will be

[18:48] small deer. It could be things like that. Completely non-dangerous.

[19:04] » Yes, I was approached by a member of the public

[19:07] about reducing the speed limit of the party road.

[19:10] I performed a speed study and recommended reducing that limit.

[19:33] It's a bid for this project were open on August 6th at 11:00 a.m. We're two

[19:39] responsive bidders. A little bit about amount from Site Pros

[19:43] LLC was $555,136.

[19:46] This time I'm recommending that you award the bid to Site Pros and authorize

[19:51] the execution of contract.

[19:57] It's It's turn lanes. There's no cost to the county for this

[20:01] project.

[20:04] But But yeah, the the budget amount was $550,000, so they were budget but the

[20:09] county's not responsible for any overruns on

August 10, 2026 Commission Meeting

Transcript