The Scottsboro City Council held both a work session and regular meeting recently covering a wide range of city business, from employee recognitions to zoning changes and infrastructure planning.
The council began by honoring six city employees for their years of service.
Employees honored with five years of service included: Kevin Smith, Jessica Collins and Larry Hancock; Scott Hamilton was honored for 20 years of service; Zackie Gant and Jeremiah Ellison were each honored for 25 years of service.
During the regular meeting, the council approved multiple agenda items, including:
Rezoning of the RaceTrac property to C-3, with Donna Fredrick casting the lone dissenting vote;
The appointment of Dylan Cooper as public defender for Scottsboro Municipal Court; and the appointment of Jason Duke as Prosecutor for the Scottsboro Municipal Court.
The council also approved the transfer of a former mayoral vehicle to the local port authority after a request from Jackson County Economic Development Authority CEO Nathan Lee, who noted the port authority is currently operating at a deficit.
During the work session, council members discussed several items later approved in the meeting.
Jim McCamy was selected as the voting delegate, with Nita Tolliver serving as alternate for the Alabama League of Municipalities Convention.
Finance Director Monica Roden presented updates to the job description for Payroll Coordinator, noting it had not been revised since 2011.
The council approved both the updated duties and restoring the pay scale from Grade 17 to Grade 20, with no projected increase in overall cost.
Council President Richard Bailey explained that Cadence Bank has rebranded to Huntington Bank, requiring updates to the city’s approved depository list.
Scottsboro Fire Department Deputy Chief Charlie Brown requested surplus of fitness equipment to be sold via bid, with proceeds returning to the department’s capital account.
The council approved the request.
The council approved the purchase of property currently used by the police department for training from the Industrial Development Board for $10,000 this fiscal year, with remaining payments to be budgeted over four years.
Officials announced an opening for a three-year term on the Zoning Adjustment Board, with applications to be submitted to the city clerk.
A public hearing was held for Cheers Corner No. 3.
With no opposition and a clean investigation report, the license was approved.
The council also held an emergency work session focused solely on a paving project.
Bailey explained that approximately $405,080 remained from a previously approved $450,000 project on Ed Hembree Drive after drainage work was completed.
The council considered reallocating those funds to pave a two-mile stretch of Old Larkinsville Road.
Bailey noted that the city spent nearly $1.8 million on paving last year and is on pace to match that investment again this year.
The urgency stems from the presence of Rogers Group, who was in town completing other projects.
Officials noted that delays could mean waiting months for contractors to return.
City Engineer Josh Little confirmed Old Larkinsville Road had already been identified as a priority by the paving committee.
Councilman Mike Ashburn raised Tupelo Pike as a future need but acknowledged the logistical challenges of coordinating multiple contractors for that project.
The council ultimately approved moving the funds to proceed with paving Old Larkinsville Road.
