BUILDING AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
14 JULY 2026
Since prayer and pledge were offered in previous same day meeting, Chair Commissioner Erin Curry asked for a motion on the 14 April 2026 minutes. A motion by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, to approve the minutes was made and was approved unanimously. The Chair noting County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe was not in attendance at this time due to a conflict with another meeting, the Chair said she would be rearranging the agenda. She moved the landfill update from the city to the first of the agenda which allowed Pulaski City Administrator (PCA) Ricky Keith to provide additional information on a potential agreement for the city’s landfill, spelled out in in a handout.
PCA Keith summarized the handout, noting the City’s C&D landfill is nearing capacity and cannot be expanded without the use of adjacent property and that PRD, Inc. has acquired an interest in said adjacent property. TCA Keith referenced the past ice storm and the resulting debris and how future such disasters would necessitate a significant expense on behalf of the city. The proposed agreement with PRD would be limited to construction and demolition debris, including from entities outside the region. PCA Keith discussed a potential revenue stream of a one-time payment of $300K upon transfer date and an ongoing per-ton fee of $0.35 per ton of all acceptable waste disposal. PCA Keith said a public hearing would need to be scheduled in August if the county has an interest in pursuing such an agreement, noting that would give the public an opportunity to voice their interest and if that is positive then a county vote could be taken shortly afterwards. A motion was made by Commissioner Caleb Savage to approve scheduling the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Judy Pruett. Commissioner James Lathrop asked Economic Director Phil Reese if he were aware of this effort (yes) and how would it influence economic development in the future. Director Reese said there had been another company looking at a site, but would include more than construction and demolition debris. Commissioner Brad Butler asked why would a company buy such a site and then keep paying with PCA Keith saying it is a common practice since there are costs such as using county roads. Commissioner Roger Reedy asked about the “second landfill, and would the agreement cover both properties. PCA Keith said both sites and when the original is filled, they will do the next site (behind Wales Church). Commissioner Tracy Wilburn asked if just for Giles, with PCA Keith said could be Alabama, with Commissioner Wilburn saying do you know how hard it would be to do more, with PCA saying this would be monitored by the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority and the Chair said “TDEC is all over this.” PCA Keith mentioned the current significant liability insurance the city has to pay and that would no longer be required. The discussion continued with questions on how would the material be disposed; concerns on increasing other counties and Alabama coming here since not limited to Giles; PCA said they had looked for over a year and the potential of a natural disaster such as the ice storm, the city decided it needed a re-look; concerns about the expenses to the county of updating roads; concern over going beyond the original scope (would have to come back for approval again; concerns over residential property losing value; air quality and water potential effect. Solid Waste Coordinator Julie Butler Phillips was asked for her input and she expressed her concerns in that if it’s too good to be true, it probably is, she said. She noted that if the company were to go “belly up”, the county would be responsible for the clean-up. School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool asked if there was some deal in place; Commissioner David Adams addressed his concern about water seepage into the county’s overall water supply through crevices at the expanded site; Commissioner Ricky Carpenter asked what happens if we don’t agree, with PCA saying the city would stay until the current site is completely full and the city would continue to pay insurance. Commissioner Carpenter asked can you just do Maxwell (the current landfill site) and the PC said from an investment point this doesn’t make sense for PRD, Inc. Member of the public Leah Bailey asked if the debris would include paint, and the PCA said he would check. The Chair asked if there were any more comments, and moved for a vote. Commissioners Tracy Wilburn and Annelle Guthrie voted no, Commissioner Evan Baddour sustained (due to legal constraint) leaving the vote 4 to 2 to approve.
Exit 14 Update – Director Reese said there is a letter of intent by Pilot to build a waste treatment plant, and do on land the county owns, with about 5 acres or less required. Director Reese asked for county approval to continue to negotiate with Pilot, noting they would be in Pulaski on Thursday to speak with SoGiles Utility District to ask questions. Plan would be in six months to turn the treatment facility over to county (SoGiles) to operate. Motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Caleb Savage to provide that approval. Commissioner James Lathrop noting SoGiles is in District 1 and would that affect residents paying more, with County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe saying he hopes that will be the opposite. Commissioner Savage asked about future users, such as other businesses. Director Reese said there will be restriction on who comes in, if Pilot puts in their own. He mentioned the Retail Strategy program, and the difficulty in solving the waste water issue, with Commissioner Caleb Savage saying he understands that to be estimated at $2.5m, which includes depreciation and operating cost. Director Reese mentioned there would be approximately 25 acres to use for other needs, with the Pilot approach. Commissioner Terry Jones said Pilot is going to pay construction cost, then a usage fee with 40K gallon a day and Pilot only needs 10K a day. The CE said this is a SoGiles decision and Director Reese said it is his job to help them (SoGiles) make a decision especially mentioning the deprecation costs. Commissioner Carpenter asked if selling the property with the Chair saying it will be leased for $1 per year. The CE noted that Pilot has been doing some surveying which had been approved by the county on doing. Commissioner Carpenter asked if there would be a pilot tax break (Payment in Lieu of Tax ), with Director Reese saying no discussion at this time. The CE said this is a big win for the county and there are a lot of details to be worked out with Director Reese said as soon as Pilot is built that will be a property tax increase and the other land will be more valuable. Commissioner Brad Butler asked about depreciation being tied to life span with Director Reese saying different parts, different life spans. A member of the public asked about expanding past Exit 14 with Director Reese commenting that further away the more expensive but if close and spare capacity yes. Commissioner Evan Baddour said would be nice to keep road frontage with Director Reese saying this doesn’t touch road frontage. Public Mike Cesarini asked who is going to pay for the expansion, with the unused 30K gallon capacity (40K gallon capacity less 10K for Pilot) and Commissioner Gayle Jones asked if there is enough water with the CE saying yes SoGiles has the water. The notional resolution as provided in a handout was approved.
Ardmore property – the CE discussed the small parcel of county owned property, which is assessed at $3 tax a year, and currently has an outstanding debt of $586.48. He discussed the handout of a Resolution to waive debt and fees, and give the property to Ardmore under a quit claim. Motion by Tracy Wilburn, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, was made to approve and was approved unanimously.
Courthouse Security – The Chair said the agenda item was to see if we want to add any additional requirements. She mentioned the door grant, which can be operated remotely, with a command center or in the tax assessor’s office. She also mentioned the security package was cut from the plan with Sheriff Purvis noting the scanners had arrived but a couple of times a month when more than one court is in session an additional 5th deputy is needed. However, he said he can pay overtime as needed or the county would need to fund an additional deputy. Commissioner Baddour noted that is approximately $45K a year plus another $12K for benefits, taxes and overhead. Sheriff Purvis said his recommendation was to let him continue to pay overtime, although an additional deputy could definitely be put to use. The CE said there is a courthouse security committee but there is a mismatch between state requirement and funding. The CE asked if the Sheriff’s office is able to meet minimum requirements (which Sheriff Purvis said are being met). The Chair mentioned she had been in discussion with the Engineering contract representative and they are just a short time from the final design. Commissioner Evan Baddour said you can still walk into our courthouse with a gun which doesn’t’ happen in any other courthouse. He noted the judge had received a threat which could be “gross negligence” in determining if insurance pays (does not) if that threat is not addressed. Sheriff Purvis said the courthouse is the only building in the county where people can lose their freedom, homes, children, at times, and that results in a very emotional building. Sheriff Purvis spelled out most of the minimum standards, e.g. panic buttons, uniformed officers, training, handheld detection. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked if the data sheet could be provided to the commissioners with the Chair saying yes, but not going to vote on any of this today.
Unfinished/New business – Solid Waste Coordinator Julie Butler Phillips mentioned her move to the convenience center and that the space was working. Commissioner David Wamble asked based on a constituent’s request if there is designated smoking area signage at the courthouse. The CE said he would check and the Chair said would be discussed in later meeting. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Tracy Wilburn, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Erin Curry, Other Commissioners Tracy Wilburn, Annelle Guthrie, Caleb Savage, Brad Butler, Evan Baddour, Judy Pruett Other commissioners in attendance – David Wamble Shelly Goolsby, Roger Reedy, Carman Brown, David Adams, Gayles Jones, Joyce Woodard, James Lathrop, Terry Jones, Rickie Carpenter, Matthew Hopkins Other – County Executive Graham Stowe, Director of Schools Dr. Vickie Beard, County Executive Graham Stowe, Director of Schools Dr. Vickie Beard, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Economic Director Phil Reese, EMA Josh Young, School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool FM Beth Moore-Sumners, Shana Woodard Ardmore Mayor Mike Magnuson,