County Commission

The Fayette County Commission discussed position vacancies and other items at its Sept. 14 meeting, as they continue to work toward adopting the fiscal year 2021 budget later this month. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren said that he asked that position vacancies be placed on the agenda for discussion.

Bobbie Jo Kemp-Driver was presented a plaque and a resolution signed by the members of the Fayette County Commission, honoring her for her 37 years of “dedicated and loyal service” to the county. Her official retirement date will be Oct. 1.

The Fayette County Commission voted unanimously at its Aug. 10 meeting to hire Preston Jones as the county’s new maintenance supervisor. All commissioners were present for the meeting, which was held at the Fayette Civic Center since the meeting was changed to morning from afternoon. Phillip Rushing had been temporarily hired to fill the vacancy as maintenance supervisor until a new employee was hired. Commissioner Barry Corkren made a motion that was seconded by Commissioner Billy Joe Rodgers to hire Jones as the new supervisor. The motion passed by unanimous consent.

The Fayette County Commission discussed raising the retirement benefit of Tier I employees to the level of Tier II employees during a work session that proceeded its July 13 meeting. All commissioners were present for both the work session and the meeting. Tier II employees are employees that were hired on or after Jan. 1, 2013. These employees perform the same tasks as Tier I employees, but pay a higher amount into the retirement system while receiving less in benefits at retirement time.

The Fayette County Commission discussed the sheriff’s department budget during its June 8 meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren was absent due to medical reasons, with all other commissioners present. Commissioner Joe Acker said that at approximately two-thirds of the way through the fiscal year, the sheriff department has used about 93 percent of its budgeted funds for the year. He said that while the sheriff’s department budget is over, the budget for the jail appears to be on-target.

The Fayette County Commission hired a new director for the Senior Citizens Center in Berry during its May 26 meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren was absent from the meeting, with all other commissioners present. The meeting opened with Commission Chairman Mike Freeman stating the commission needed to hold an executive session to discuss a legal matter. Commissioner Joe Acker made a motion to enter executive session, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Billy Joe Rodgers. The commissioners present unanimously voted to enter executive session.

The Fayette County Commission approved purchases and made several changes to its personnel policies during a special called meeting held in the Fayette County Courtroom on Thursday, May 7. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman told the commissioners that the air conditioning/chiller system used at the courthouse annex is completely worn out and could not be repaired.

The Fayette County Commission during its April 27 meeting voted to not pay nearly $50,000 in disputed fees that the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Authority (C3) says the commission owes. All commissioners were present for the meeting. Commissioner Barry Corkren said that he has seen very little actual benefit from the C3 organization during the past few years in the Fayette County area. He made a motion to not pay the amount asked for by C3, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Billy Joe Rogers.

Former Fayette County Administrator John Ray Gordon lost his lengthy and courageous battle with cancer on April 1. He was 68 years old. Ironically, the day he died was his official retirement date from the county as administrator, having served 22 years doing the job that he truly loved. Gordon was a native of Arkansas, but many years ago he moved to Fayette and totally became one of the “locals” through the sharing of his talents, charm, laughter and generosity.

The Fayette County Commission voted to hire a new county engineer during its March 23 regular meeting, All of the commissioners were present for the meeting. Prior to the regular portion of the meeting, the commission held an emergency meeting to discuss the county’s response to the rapidly changing Coronavirus (COVID - 19) pandemic. Commission Chairman Mike Freeman said they were having an emergency meeting because of the seriousness of the situation and to focus attention on the need for quick action from the commission.