With soaring costs for just about all raw materials these days, Franklin County Engineer Jason Baggett received an unexpected surprise when the bid for three repaving projects came in sufficiently under budget so as to allow three additional projects to be added.
The resurfacing/restriping of Highway 48, Cave Hollow Road and Green Road was expected to use the entirety of the county's FY 2025 Rebuild Alabama funds. These are the funds received from the county's share of the additional gasoline tax approved by the legislature's 2019 Rebuild Alabama Act, an annual program setting aside at least $10 million annually off the top of the state's share of gas tax revenue for use in local projects.
According to Franklin County Administrator Leah Mansell, the low bid for the three resurfacing/restriping projects of $1,346,714.40 from Grayson Carter was approved by the Franklin County Commission at its April 21, 2025 meeting.
“The bid came in under what was anticipated, so that allowed us to bid some more projects. Those include Highway 128 and Boyd Road, Highway 29 and Highway 21,” Mansell said.
Commissioners also approved advertising for bids for those additional projects at the April 21st meeting.
In other agenda items, the commission:
--approved a pass through for the initial grant process for the Franklin County Children's Policy Council until the council can set up a 501C3 non-profit incorporation to apply for grants. This was done at the request of Franklin County District Judge Jamie Sumerel.
The Alabama Children's Policy Council system originated from the Alabama Juvenile Coordinating Councils and is designed to support providers of children's services as they work to develop community service plans to address the needs of children ages 0-19 and their families.
--approved a quote of $7,398 for pressure cleaning of the Franklin County Courthouse from Alabama Pressure Washing Solutions, LLC. This will be a drone wash on the exterior of the courthouse from ground level to the top, cleaning of the bottom level of the courthouse (below ground), including the steps, concrete walkway and retaining walls and rails. The sidewalks, entrance ways and all marble borders will also be soft washed, as well as the Franklin County Annex building.
--declared as surplus property a 1988 Suburban, 1982 Ford Econoline ambulance and a 1989 Chevrolet Cheyenne in the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency as surplus property and authorized their sale on GovDeals.
--approved a low quote of $7,900 from Brandon Moore to remove siding, and install OSB, gables, gutters and cornice at the EMA Annex Building, formerly known as the Franklin County Rescue Squad building.
--approved advertising for a Roadway Maintenance Technician III position in the Highway Department.
--declared as surplus property a lowboy trailer in the Highway Department and authorized its sale on GovDeals.
--approved hiring Ella Franks as permanent Tag/Title Clerk in the Franklin County Revenue Commissioner's Office.
--approved the hiring of Lindsey Higgins as permanent Corrections Officer/Dispatcher, Nicholas Williams as temporary Corrections Officer/Dispatcher, moving Debra Adcox to 'as needed' employee, hiring Brian Vickery as School Resource Officer at Belgreen School, the resignation of Wyatt Burnett as Corrections Officer/Dispatcher, hiring Brian Santos as Corrections Officer/Dispatcher, the resignation of Lila Duncan as Corrections Officer/Dispatcher in the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
--approved advertising for Corrections Officer/Dispatcher positions.
--declared a 2020 Ford F150 truck and a 1993 Chevrolet Command Center as surplus property and authorized the sale of the same on GovDeals.
--accepted a low bid from Weigh Tec in the amount of $157,000 for removal of the existing foundation scale at the Franklin County Landfill, new foundation work and cost of new scales, delivery and installation of the same.
--approved soliciting bids for two new garbage trucks in the Franklin County Solid Waste Department.
--approved the retirement of Joel Woods as Heavy Equipment Operator in the Solid Waste Department.
--appointed Margaret Jackson to the Franklin County Archives and Research Center Board of Advisors.
--appointed Buffie Ozbirn as Franklin County Archives Director.
--accepted the resignation of Steve Swinney from the Franklin County Department of Human Resources Board and the appointment of Chase Sparks to the same position.
