Loxley certifies elections for mayor, four council seats

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LOXLEY, Alabama — The Loxley Town Council voted on Monday, Aug. 10 to certify elections for mayor and four of the five council seats after incumbents qualified unopposed in those races.

It will be a four-way race for the Place 4 seat with the town’s newest council member Chris McCall facing off against three challengers in the Aug. 25 election.

McCall was appointed last year to fill the council seat vacated by Richard Teal, who was appointed as mayor following the death of longtime Mayor Billy Middleton.

McCall will face Beth Lovell, Randy Smith and Philip Dembowski for the seat.

The council voted unanimously Aug. 10 to certify the elections of Teal, Mayor Pro Tem Kasey Childress, Richard Lee Wilson, Jeffrey T. Knight and Katherine Breeden, who all qualified unopposed in their respected races.

In other business Aug. 10, the council voted to appoint election officers for the Aug. 25 election, including Janice Christopherson, inspector; Carol Gardner, registration list clerk; Bridgett Kaiser, poll list clerk; Dot Bishop, ballot clerk; and Todd Kaiser, alternate. Town Clerk Melissa Lawrence was appointed in July to oversee the election.

Also on Aug. 10, the council approved a transportation plan to use revenues anticipated from the Rebuild Alabama Act fund during the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The act, which was signed into law in March of last year by the State Legislature, increased the gasoline and undyed diesel excise taxes by 6 cents per gallon affective Sept. 1, 2019. An additional 2-cent tax will be levied beginning Oct. 1 of 2020 and 2021 with additional tax adjustments, not to exceed 1-cent per gallon, to be levied effective Oct. 1, 2023 and every other year thereafter on July 1.

Municipalities and county governments throughout the state will receive funding through the tax levy for roadway improvements, repairs, resurfacing, reconstruction or maintenance. The funds could also be used as match monies for any state or federal grant funded projects to perform roadway improvements, repairs, resurfacing, reconstruction or maintenance.

The Rebuild Alabama Act requires all municipalities to pass a resolution by Aug. 31 submitting a transportation plan, but the plan can be amended throughout the fiscal year.

According to the resolution passed unanimously Aug. 10 by the council, Loxley received $15,019 in funds for the first fiscal year with an increase in funds likely for each fiscal year thereafter.

The town plans to use the funds to pave North Magnolia Street between Alabama 59 and U.S. 90. Any funds leftover would be used to pave North County Road 49 beginning at the intersection of Flowerwood Road and County Road 49.

In other action Aug. 10, the council:

  • Heard from Coach Jennifer Jones and members of the Robertsdale Lady Bears basketball team. Teal said the council would consider making a donation to the program, which would be voted on at the next council meeting in September.
  • Approved the two pay estimates totaling $58,753.7 with Creel Company Inc. as part of a screw pump replacement for a USDA Rural Development grant project at a cost of $58,753.70. The total cost of the project is $230,131.
  • Approved the purchase of a Radiodetection RD1100 Portable GPR with mains lead from Green Equipment Company at a cost of $14,234.
  • Approved the purchase of signs and equipment from Idea Signs and Graphics at a cost of $19,190.95 to replace signs on East and West Relham Drive from Magnolia Street to the town limits on First Avenue.
  • Approved a bid request from Bill Patterson Construction for the paving of Neal Road in the amount of $279,837.
  • Approved a request from Tommy Hudson to open up the front office at town hall and replace flooring in the municipal court building.