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The Covington County Commission held a public hearing in regards to the fiscal year 2026 budget for Covington Area Transit System during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

CATS director Tami Baxley informed the commission about Governor Kay Ivey signing several new updated policies and procedures.

“The state has asked us to go ahead and do the 2026 budget. It is hard to do, but I went across the board and did a 3 percent increase. It is really a guessing game right now since we have not made it halfway through the 2025 budget,” Baxley said.

The commission ultimately approved the 2026 budget by a unanimous vote. In other CATS-related business, the commission approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 budget for the purchase of a van at Baxley’s request. Additionally, the hiring of one full-time and one part-time driver for the CATS program was approved.

“I don’t look to fill those positions at this time. I would like to have them approved so that when we do get ready, the positions are there and we can make arrangements at that time,” Baxley said.

In other business:

• The commission welcomed Senator Josh Carnley and State Representative Matthew Hammett who spoke regarding the state’s upcoming legislative session in February. Carnley and Hammett offered their encouragement to the commission and said they would work with them for the interests of Covington County at the session.
• The commission presented a proclamation to Greg White for his many years of service as the former commission chairman. The proclamation celebrated White’s contributions and leadership throughout his tenure.
• Revenue Commissioner Chuck Patterson presented the commission with a detailed report on property tax collections. Patterson outlined the amount collected thus far and projected revenue that is still due in the coming months.
• The commission approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 budget to purchase a CATS van at the request of Baxley.
• The commission approved the appointment of Jamey Wismer to the E-911 board. Dist. 4 commissioner Tommy McGaha voiced his support of Wismer but said the commission needs to consider appointing a female to the board in the future.
• The commission approved the appointment of McGaha to the Southeast Alabama Rural Planning Organization Policy Committee.
• The commission approved the renewal of a contract with On Track Drug and Alcohol Testing.
• The commission approved entering into an agreement with the State of Alabama for the confirmation mailing process of the National Voting Rights Act.
• The commission approved a two-year contract for Morgan Arrington as the county attorney.
• The commission approved a request from the Sheriff’s Department to purchase a replacement vehicle. Sheriff Blake Turman’s truck was totaled in a collision with a cow in November, which left a shortfall of $7,338 after insurance coverage. The commission approved covering the amount of the shortfall from the county’s general funds.
• The commission approved declaring a 12 x 30 office building and a 2006 aluminum tri-axle dump trailer in the Engineer’s Department as surplus. Additionally, the commission approved the purchase of a Kenworth truck for $221,500 and the construction of a red iron building at a cost of $339,812 ($54.29 per square foot), both to be used by the department. The building, which will be 80 x 150 feet, will be located behind the current county administration facility.
• The commission approved a $17,200 bid for interior repainting of the courthouse. The work will be completed in phases during weekends to avoid interfering with court proceedings.
• An executive session was scheduled following the meeting, but Chairman Michael Smith announced the session would not take place.

The commission will hold its next workshop Thursday, Jan. 23, at 9 a.m. The next meeting of the Covington County Commission will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend both.