Calhoun County Commission Honors Redbird Willow Farm’s Michele Hornsby and Approves FY25 Budget

Calhoun County, AL – The Calhoun County Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 26th, 2024. 

• Call To Order
• Invocation/Pledge Of Allegiance
• Special Recognition – Ms. Michele Hornsby (Redbird Willow Farm)

• • On September 26, 2024, Michele Hornsby of Redbird Willow Farm was honored with a special recognition by the Calhoun County Commission. Commissioner Terry Howell presented the recognition, highlighting Michele’s resilience, dedication to her community, and her recent literary achievement.Michele, along with her husband Ray, runs Redbird Willow Farm, which houses over 110 animals, providing comfort sessions for visitors and fostering a healing environment. Their journey took a deeply personal turn when they lost their son, Justin, on the property. In the wake of this tragedy, Michele found solace through her work on the farm and by writing a book, Just in Time to Be Kind, in memory of Justin.Commissioner Howell recounted his visit to the farm, reflecting on the meaningful conversations he had with Michele about their journey and the loss of their son. He emphasized Michele’s strength and the significant role both she and Ray played in transforming their pain into purpose.The book, set to be released on October 1, 2024, has already received substantial support, with over 80 pre-orders. Michele’s work has resonated with many in the community, with individuals purchasing copies to donate to local schools and libraries. The book, published by Little Steps Publishing, carries a central message of kindness, a theme that was nurtured with the support of local author Beth Duke.In addition to her storytelling, Michele continues to lead monthly grief support meetings, creating a space for parents to share their journeys. The farm’s animals, particularly a special llama named Justine, have become symbols of hope and healing for Michele and her family.The Calhoun County Commission recognized Michele for her commitment to inspiring compassion and her ongoing efforts to give back to the community. The recognition was signed by all the commissioners, acknowledging her transformative work and dedication to helping others through both her writing and her farm.
  • Michele Hornsby expressed heartfelt gratitude during her response to the special recognition from Commissioner Terry Howell. She thanked him, along with Lee and Sherry, for their support. Michele shared how Redbird Willow Farm has evolved beyond what she and her husband Ray initially envisioned, offering comfort and healing not only to themselves, but to others as well. She emphasized that the farm’s success is due to the many people who share their vision and dedicate their time and resources. Michele accepted the recognition on behalf of everyone who contributes, as well as the 110 special animals that make the farm a unique place of healing and joy.
• Adopt Agenda – Unanimously Approved 
• Elected Official/Department Head Comments – No Comments
• Adopt Minutes – Unanimously Approved
• Old Business
  • Nuisance Abatements – Unanimously Approved (with two being tabled)
    • 401 Weaver Lane, Weaver – Nell S. Abeyta (Est.) C/O Robin Lang
    • 4500 Asbury Avenue, Anniston – Grace A. McKinney C/O Brandy Bryant – TABLED
      • Developer spoke about intenton to bring the property up to code and make it livable.
      • A resident, Cathy Colorado, spoke about this being a meth house and it being unsafe to ever being lived in. She wanted it noted that this property should be leveled.
    • 419 Rowan Street, Anniston – Betty, David & Emily Surrett
    • 150 Old County 109, Anniston – Michael S. Dempsey – TABLED
  • Nuisance Dismissals – Unanimously Approved 
    • 304 Rowan Street, Anniston – Elizabeth Keef
    • 117 Bailey Street, Oxford – Gloria Goodson
    • 4434 Bryan Avenue, Anniston – Jacob Duane Farley
• New Business
  • Nuisance Declarations: – Unanimously Approved 
    • 1879 Parkwood Drive, Anniston – Avery Properties LLC.
    • 2603 Eulaton Road, Anniston – WJ Ponder (Est.) C/O Irene & Pats Ponder
    • 192 West Point Road, Jacksonville – Wendy K. Gann Snider
    • 2425 Griffis II Street, Anniston – Bobby Woodrow
    • 0 S. Marshall Street, Anniston – Linda Chesson
      • Representstive spoke about coners photos were being taken behind a provacy fence and on private property. He agreed to speak eith the county attorney after the meeting.
    • 4206 Bynum Leatherwood Road, Anniston – Patricia Woodrow
    • 315 Medders Drive W., Anniston – James Fredrick Lucas III
  • ABC Board Application – Bethlehem Mart LLC., d/b/a One Stop Mart (Transfer) – Unanimously Denied 
  • Bid Extension Resolution
    • EMA Custodial Services – Unanimously Approved 
      • Contrsct with Diversified Maintenance with no changes.
  • Bid Award Resolutions:
    • Micro Surface Paving – Unanimously Approved 
      • Contract with Asphalt Paving Systems Inc.
    • EMA Landscape – Unanimously Approved 
      • Contract with All Green Lawn Care for $300 per month for county furnished herbicide and mulch and $325 per month for vendor supplied herbicide and mulch.
  • DYS Grant Resolution – Robert E. Lewis Academy – Unanimously Approved 
    • Awarded $433,160 to support the Robert E. Lewis Academy.
  • DYS Grant Resolution – United Way/Family Court Success Academy – Unanimously Approved 
    • Grants funds in the amount of $265,788.00 with funding through Department of Youth Services.
  • Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Resolution – City of Anniston – Unanimously Approved
    • Agreement to join in an application with the City of Anniston for the 2024 JAG Grant for the ammount of $47,875.00.
  • Violence Against Women Act Resolution – Unanimously Approved 
    • The Alabama department of Economic and Community Affairs, Law Enforcement/Traffic Safty division is offering financial aid. District Attorney Lynn hammod request that the County Commision submit an appication to continue fundginin the amount of $71,502.00
  • United Way MOU – Unanimously Approved 
    • Agreement with the United Way and Alabama Department of Youth Services
  • Diversified Computer Services, LLC License Agreement – Unanimously Approved
    • An agreement requested by the County Engineer related to diversified computer services, LLC, to provide software services known as SIMS, as the Highway Department utilizes in their operations.
  • Open Records Procedure Resolution – Unanimously Approved
    • Updated Open Records Act as amended by Alabama Act No. 2024-278. This resolution will adopt procedures to ensure the county commission and county government are in compliance with this act as prepared and recommended by the county attorney.
  • Public Officer Designation Resolution – Unanimously Approved 
    • The county Attorney will be the designee
  • Board Appointment – Library Board, At-Large – Unanimously Approved 
  • Employment Contract – Maintenance Superintendent – Unanimously Approved
    • An employment agreement contract with Mr. Jason Crumley was presented. He serves as the maintenance superintendent, to be titled as maintenance superintendent and facilities manager.
  • Piedmont EMS Agreement – Unanimously Approved
    • The Commission has been engaged in conversations with the Piedmont Emergency EMS about temporary supplemental and sustainment funding. An agreement is being prepared and a motion is made to authorize the Chairman to sign that agreement once it is in final form.
  • FY25 Budget Resolution – Unanimously Approved
    • The FY25 budget is complete and ready for your approval. It includes a 2.5% COLA for all employees, as well as a $500 one-time pay increase for all employees. The county is going to absorb a 4.75% health insurance increase with no additional cost to employees or retirees. The total general fund revenues and expenditures are going to be over $26 million, and 4% of that is going to go to the county.
• Public Comments
  • Jakob Williamson from the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce announced that the Business Expo will take place on Tuesday, October 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Anniston City Meeting Center. He emphasized that the event is open to everyone, with no tickets required, and noted a change this year—there will be no “business after hours” following the expo. He encouraged people to attend and mentioned that a good number of businesses will be participating. Williamson also took a moment to thank Jonathan Gaddy for attending the board meeting and praised his representation of the Commision.
•  Adjourn – Unanimously Approved

Next Meeting: Thursday, October 10, 2024, 10:00 a.m.