JACKSONVILLE, AL — The Jacksonville City Council approved a series of resolutions, agreements, purchases and board appointments during its Monday, Aug. 10 meeting, including a one-year moratorium on certain bring-your-own-alcohol events, updated ambulance billing rates and agreements involving vacant properties, environmental monitoring and the city school system.
The council met following a 5 p.m. work session that listed two primary discussion items: a service agreement with MuniReg, LLC, and proposed ambulance fees. Both matters later appeared on the regular meeting agenda for formal action.
The meeting opened with an invocation by the Rev. Andy Curtis of First United Methodist Church. Amelia Mack, a fifth-grade student at Kitty Stone Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance. All five council members were present, and the council unanimously approved the minutes and amended agenda.
The amended agenda added JPWP No. 26-154 for a new mini-split air-conditioning system at the Jacksonville Public Library and added termination of a commercial lease with Woodruff Family Trust, LLC. The council also amended its board appointments to specify terms running from November 2025 through October 2029 and added a $59,215.50 purchase from Long-Lewis Ford of the Shoals for a 2027 Ford Transit 15-passenger van for the Senior Center.
BYOB Moratorium
The council unanimously approved Resolution R-2323-26, establishing a one-year moratorium on Bring Your Own Beer, or BYOB, and brown-bag events and gatherings at commercial locations. The resolution applies to events where patrons bring alcohol for consumption on property zoned B-1 or B-2 while the city reviews its ordinances, policies and procedures.
Before the vote, Devin Sonderman asked how the moratorium could affect an event venue that is in the process of obtaining or transitioning between alcohol licenses. He raised the example of a previously scheduled wedding or other private event occurring while a business was waiting for approvals and asked whether a temporary 30-, 45- or 60-day accommodation could be available.
During the discussion, city representatives explained that Jacksonville currently does not have a BYOB license available and that the moratorium is intended to provide time for the city to research and establish appropriate regulations. It was also clarified that the moratorium does not prevent a business from continuing through the process of obtaining another applicable alcohol license.
Kitty Stone Property and Service Road
The council unanimously approved Resolution R-2324-26 accepting a donation of real property from the Jacksonville City Schools Board of Education. The property is intended for construction of a service road at Kitty Stone Elementary School.
Council members then unanimously approved JPWP No. 26-155 for the Kitty Stone Elementary School service road and authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with the Calhoun County Commission for the work.
Library Air Conditioning
The council unanimously approved the newly added JPWP No. 26-154 to replace a failed HVAC system at the Jacksonville Public Library with a new 24,000-BTU mini-split system. The selected estimate from Mr. Refrigeration, Inc. was $6,243, including installation, with a one-year labor warranty and a 12-year parts and compressor warranty.
MuniReg Agreement
Following the work-session discussion, the council unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a service agreement with MuniReg, LLC, related to Ordinance O-680-26 and the registration of vacant or abandoned properties with mortgages in default.
Under the agreement, MuniReg will identify properties subject to registration requirements, provide electronic registration and give the city access to registration information. MuniReg will retain $100 from each collected registration or renewal fee and remit the remaining balance to the city quarterly.
Insurance and Environmental Agreements
The council unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a client services agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC. The accompanying materials outline property and casualty insurance brokerage and related risk-management services. Fees are described as normal and customary commissions provided by insurance carriers.
The council also unanimously approved two FY2027 professional services agreements with TTL.
For groundwater monitoring and reporting at the Jacksonville-Piedmont Inert Landfill, TTL will conduct two semiannual monitoring events at $9,000 each, for an annual monitoring cost of $18,000. An additional regulatory-support budget of up to $2,200 is anticipated, bringing the potential outlined budget to $20,200 without additional authorization.
The second TTL agreement covers MS4 support services. The proposal includes $1,800 for an illicit discharge potential assessment, $7,500 for the annual report, $4,200 for stormwater awareness training and $3,500 to update the Storm Water Management Program Plan, for a total proposed annual fee of $17,000.
School Resource Officers and Ambulance Rates
The council unanimously authorized the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Jacksonville Board of Education for the School Resource Officer Program covering Aug. 6, 2026, through June 30, 2028.
Council members also unanimously approved amended Jacksonville Fire Department ambulance billing rates, another matter listed for discussion during the preceding work session.
Effective Oct. 1, the rates are intended to align commercial insurance billing with Alabama Senate Bill 269. Contracted commercial insurers will be billed at 200% of the Medicare Fee Schedule and non-contracted commercial insurers at 180%. Approximately 70% of ambulance transports are billed to Medicare, Medicaid or other government-sponsored programs and are not affected by the changes.
The approved rates include:
- ALS non-emergency: $786.94 contracted; $708.25 non-contracted
- ALS emergency: $1,246; $1,121.40
- ALS Level 2: $1,803.42; $1,623.08
- BLS non-emergency: $655.78; $590.20
- BLS emergency: $1,049.26; $944.33
- Mileage: $18.84 per mile; $16.96 per mile
City materials estimate that applying the rates to 2025 commercial insurance claims would have increased revenue from approximately $125,823 to $249,813, an increase of approximately $123,990, or 98.5%. The analysis involved 224 of 1,319 transports, or about 17%.
Lease Termination and Board Appointments
The council unanimously authorized the mayor to provide the required 30-day written notice terminating the city’s commercial lease agreement with Woodruff Family Trust, LLC, for property at 111 Ladiga Street SE.
Council members unanimously approved board and liaison appointments for terms running from November 2025 through October 2029. Those appointments are Sherry Laster and James Newell to the Advisory Committee to Senior Citizens Program as liaisons; Laster as Board of Education liaison; Mark Jones and Terry Wilson to the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission; Marcus Green as Jacksonville Bicycle Advisory Committee liaison; Wilson and Newell as Industrial Development Board liaisons; Andrew Green to the Planning Commission; Laster as Public Library Board liaison; Jones and Wilson to the Metropolitan Planning Organization; Marcus Green and Wilson to Neighborhood Partnership/Town & Gown; Andy Green as Commercial Development Authority liaison; and Wilson as Zoning Board of Adjustments liaison.
Budget Amendments, Purchases and Surplus Property
Items 19 through 21 were approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda.
The budget amendments included increases of $8,282.59 to a police account for an insurance check related to unit 23-3204 and $183.59 for restitution.
Purchases over $7,500 included $7,838 to the Alabama League of Municipalities for membership dues; $165,480 to Kenworth of Birmingham, Inc. for a 2027 Kenworth T380 dump body, cab and chassis; $42,923.82 to McSweeney Auto Group for a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD; and $95,680.20 to McSweeney Auto Group for two 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 4WD trucks.
The amended agenda also included the $59,215.50 Senior Center purchase of a 2027 Ford Transit 15-passenger van from Long-Lewis Ford of the Shoals.
For surplus property, the council approved donating a Fire Department electric cord reel, serial number 1539832, to the Calhoun Baptist Association.
No reports were presented under reports of officers and employees or reports of special committees or boards.
Public Comments
During general public comments, a speaker thanked city officials, school personnel and public safety agencies for helping begin the new school year. The speaker also expressed appreciation for work around Kitty Stone Elementary School, saying it is expected to improve traffic around the school.
LaVelle Buchanan, representing the Pearls and Ivory Foundation, discussed the organization’s work with Jacksonville children, including an after-school reading initiative at the Boys and Girls Club. Buchanan said lack of internet access at the facility had created difficulties for the program and asked the city for assistance. She was advised that the Jacksonville Housing Authority, rather than the City Council, would be the appropriate entity to contact regarding internet service at the facility.
Buchanan also discussed the foundation’s Sept. 19 gala at the Anniston City Meeting Center and asked council members to consider supporting the event. Tickets were stated to be $45 per person. She said the organization provides services including food assistance to children during school breaks. Another foundation representative, whose name was not identified in the transcript, said the organization has also awarded $1,000 scholarships to Jacksonville High School seniors during the past two years.
Steve Sewalk raised concerns about yard debris being dumped in the right-of-way along Seventh Avenue. He said the issue had continued after he previously brought it before the council and asked for enforcement attention.
Mayor and Council Comments
During the mayor’s report, Mayor Mark Jones thanked city staff and department heads for their work during the city’s recent budget work sessions. He also noted the beginning of the school year and the upcoming return of Jacksonville State University students, including the Spirit on Mountain event scheduled for Aug. 20.
During council remarks, one council member reminded residents about the first Ride to Remember planned for Sept. 12 in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The planned route is 9.11 miles from the community center toward Weaver, where Heritage Day activities are also scheduled. Organizers hope to have at least 100 riders, with the first 100 registered participants expected to receive free T-shirts. The transcript did not clearly identify the council member making the remarks.
Another council member, also not clearly identified in the transcript, discussed a recent back-to-school event at St. Paul Church that included school supplies, children’s activities and a discussion involving pastors, school representatives, parents, students and council members. The discussion included student goals, available school resources and interest from parents in affordable tutoring opportunities.
Council President Terry Wilson closed the remarks by discussing his visits to schools at the beginning of the academic year and thanking school leadership and employees for their work with students. The meeting then adjourned.
