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The Covington County Commission unanimously approved the county’s 2025 budget at a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

The total budget approved will be over $30.2 million for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2025. Key aspects of the budget include the following:

• A 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for county employees
• Absorbing the $1 American Rescue Plan Act pay into the current pay scale
• Covering the 4.75 percent increase in health insurance premiums
• Allocating funds for the Employee Recognition and Appreciation Program and the Annual Safety Incentive and Recognition Program

“I would like to thank (Administrator) Karen (Sowell) for the work she and her staff put in to making the budget possible. This is a great deal of work that they have done for approximately two to three weeks if not longer,” Chairman Greg White said.

In other items, a public hearing was held regarding the closure of a portion of HD Wilson Road. One citizen, a resident of that road, spoke during the hearing. It was noted that only three property owners live beyond the closure point, and all were in agreement to close the road.

Following the public hearing, the commission approved to close the portion of the road. The next steps include advertising the closure in the Star-News and then filing with the Probate Judge’s office. County Engineer Lynn Ralls will notify the property owners upon completion.

In other business:

• The commission approved the rescinding of a 2018 resolution with the Florala Airport Authority that expanded the board from three to five members. The board will now consist of only three members: one appointed by the commission, one appointed by the City of Florala, and the final one jointly appointed by both. The commission approved to re-appoint Whitney Simpson, the current vice chairman, to the board. Simpson will serve a six-year term.
• The commission approved several contracts related to a deputy for the Town of Sanford, school resource officers at the county schools under the current terms in place, and inmate housing for various municipalities under the current terms. Sheriff Blake Turman noted that the only change in the contracts was to adjust the pay rate for the deputy in Sanford.
• The commission approved awarding a bid in the Engineer’s Department for emulsified asphalt and prime to Hunt Refining Company.
• The commission approved awarding a bid in the Engineer’s Department for pre-cast concrete bridge components to Conecuh Bridge and Engineering of Troy.
• The commission approved several contracts related to a deputy for the Town of Sanford, school resource officers at the county schools under the current terms in place, and inmate housing for various municipalities under the current terms. Sheriff Blake Turman noted that the only change in the contracts was to adjust the pay rate for the deputy in Sanford.
• Dist. 4 commissioner Tommy McGaha made a proposal to name a new road that connects Alabama Hwy. 55 to Lloyd Mill Road. McGaha asked the commission to use the name James Lee Road in honor of a community member from the Pigeon Creek area who passed away in 2018. The commission approved the name.
• The commission approved allocating $2,500 of McGaha’s discretionary funds to Red Level Athletics ($2,000) and the Straughn Fishing Team ($500).
• The commission approved allocating $2,500 of Dist. 3 commissioner Lynne Holmes’ discretionary funds to the EMA/County Engineer’s Office for the Emergency Operations Center ($2,000) and the Florala football team ($500) for a trip to Fairhope, Alabama, where the team played a football game on Thursday, Sept. 26. The $2,000 will be returned to Holmes’ funds if it is not needed.

The next meeting of the commission will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m., at the Covington County Administration Building.