Grimsley named chairman by 4-3 vote

After a split decision in October, the Coffee County Commission voted 4-3 to reelected Chairman Tom Grimsley Nov. 12.

Commissioners Kim Ellis, Al Britt and Dean Smith, who voted Ellis for the position Oct. 14, voted against Grimsley.

Grimsley voted for himself along with commissioners Jimmy Jones, Kevin Mitchell and Josh Carnley.

“This commission will continue to move forward and work for the betterment of Coffee County and the quality of life throughout the county,” Grimsley said following the vote.

Smith said despite the close vote, the commission is still a cohesive body.

“We may disagree on who our leader is for various reasons, but this commission is going to work together no matter who we put out front,” Smith said. “I don’t want people to get the idea that we’re (at odds) with one another. I like everybody here, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to agree with everything they do.”

In other news, the commission agreed to move forward with a parking lot expansion at the Coffee County Complex.

The expansion will bring the parking area in front of the commission building and the Extension Office up to the current sidewalk, which will add more than 35 additional parking spots to the complex.

In other business, the commission accepted a $71,085 bid from Kanawha Scales and Systems Inc., which was suggested by Coffee County Engineer Randy Tindell.

Tindell said the bid would cover the replacement of scales at the Coffee County Landfill.

In other business, the commission accepted a leave of absence from county attorney Josh Pipkin.

Pipkin will be running as Republican for a position in the Alabama State House of Representatives.

“I plan to use the leadership qualities that I’ve learned from (the commissioners) in this room and take these common-sense, Coffee County conservative ideas to Montgomery. I also won’t compromise those principles for special interest groups or house leadership.”

Pipkin said it was in the county’s best interest if he took a leave from his position during the campaign, but he said say he would love to serve after the election if the commission sees fit.

“I don’t want to comprise the commission’s standing in Montgomery because of an assumed affiliation with me,” he said.

The commission appointed Whitaker Richard W LLC, the firm Pipkin is currently employed by, to fill in during Pipkin’s absence.

In other news, commissioners granted the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department permission to move forward with project that will add a radio communications tower in the Victoria area of Coffee County.

Sgt. Michael Hines said an Operable Communications Grant from the Emergency Management Agency would fund the majority of the project, but the CCSO would still be about $8,500 short of the funds needed.

Commissioners agreed to amend the budget for CCSO at the end of year if needed.

Sheriff Dave Sutton said the department could cover cost initially, and move forward with the project.

The CCSO is also currently looking for funding to add a similar tower in the Kinston area. 

In other business, Smith discussed ongoing projects the Coffee County Water Authority is undertaking to tie in the county’s water supply to those of other counties.

Currently, the county’s water system is connected to water systems in Dale, Pike County and Geneva counties.

The new projects are adding in connectors in the New Hope area of Coffee County and the Piney Grove area of Geneva County.

“A lot of wells have failed, and when they do you have to jump through hoops to serve the citizens in that area,” Smith said. “Connecting gives us the ability to pump to or receive water from Pike or Geneva counties because we’re all tied in together.”

Smith said connecting water systems is what a lot of smaller communities are doing, and effects can lowers prices and safeguard a community’s water supply during a disaster.

“Local control is a good thing, but the downside of that is when the costs start rising, you don’t have any options,” he said. “Having a definite backup system is one of things I like most about it. We’ve had some cities say they aren’t going to use it, but if it comes down to a major problem or disaster, they’ll use it. We at least have it available.”

The commission also recognized Nellie English, who has served as the manager of the Damascus Senior Citizens Center since 2006, and Sharon Hines, who has handled the county’s personnel and payroll for more than 20 years.

The commission will meet again at 9 a.m., Nov. 25, in the community room at the Coffee County Complex.