JACKSONVILLE, AL. — The Jacksonville City Council reviewed several city projects and policy matters during a work session Monday, Sept. 28, including proposals involving city videography and signage, changes to employee compensation policies and an update on the Cobblestone Mainstreet Hotel project.
The work session agenda included presentations on Figure Eight Videography and Signum Strategies, followed by discussion of proposed amendments to the city’s compensation policy and an update on the hotel project. The council also reviewed items scheduled for consideration during its regular meeting.
One of the items reviewed involved proposed amendments to Jacksonville’s personnel policies and compensation practices. The changes addressed several areas, including special salary adjustments, public safety special events, hazard pay and the status of exempt employees.
Under the proposed changes, non-exempt public safety employees working designated special events would receive $35 per hour in place of their regular hourly rate. The policy identifies Square Duty, Jacksonville State University football games and other special events pre-authorized by the mayor as qualifying events. Police officers serving as court bailiffs would receive $45 per hour.
The compensation changes also address hazard pay for first responders and public safety communications personnel. Full-time fire department employees would receive $2,600 annually, paid at $100 per pay period, while other classifications of public safety employees would receive amounts established in the policy. The revisions also address employee evaluations, salary adjustments and timekeeping requirements.
Council members also received an update concerning the Cobblestone Mainstreet Hotel project. The hotel was specifically listed as a work-session item as the city continues reviewing the project and related development matters.
The council additionally heard presentations concerning Figure Eight Videography and Signum Strategies. Those presentations were included as separate work-session items before the council moved into its review of the regular meeting agenda.
During the regular meeting, the council considered a first reading of an ordinance establishing rules and fees for certain requests for Jacksonville Police Department traffic-camera video. The proposed ordinance would authorize a $350 fee per video request from third parties seeking footage related to accidents or other incidents. Requests from law enforcement agencies for official purposes, courts or prosecutors acting in their official capacities and governmental agencies conducting official business would be exempt.
The council also addressed the city’s FY 2027 agreement with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Area Agency on Aging for services provided under Title III of the Older Americans Act. The agreement covers Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, and includes supportive and nutrition services.
Other business included approval of Water Works, Gas and Sewer Board charge-off accounts covering Feb. 10 through July 10, 2026, and an amended job description for the Parks and Recreation superintendent. Both actions were approved unanimously.
The council accepted the resignations of Ian Hammonds as a police officer, effective Sept. 24, and Sean Jones as a part-time firefighter/paramedic, effective June 16. It also approved the employment of Dalton Ray Summers as a police officer, contingent upon compliance with city requirements. The council approved the promotions of Josh Shears to police sergeant and Scott Allen Cohn to police corporal, both effective Sept. 30. It also accepted retirement notifications from Parks and Recreation Superintendent Janice Burns and Parks and Recreation Office Manager Belinda Johnson, both effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Board and committee actions included accepting a resignation from the Highland Health Systems board and making appointments to Highland Health Systems and the Housing Authority.
During public comments, the council received an update on three historical markers honoring Lilly Ledbetter, Rick Bragg and Theodore Burke Fox. All three markers have been fully funded. Plans discussed included placing the Ledbetter marker near Alabama 204 and the Chief Ladiga Trail, the Bragg marker at the library and the Fox marker near the intersection of the trail and Church Avenue.
A potential event surrounding the unveiling of Bragg’s marker was also discussed, including a reading, presentations and a question-and-answer session at the library. The possibility of renaming at least a portion of Mountain Street in recognition of Ledbetter was raised for future consideration. Individual unveiling events for each of the three markers were also discussed.
During reports and council remarks, officials noted Wednesday’s Amazing Race watch party featuring local contestants Daisha and Dalton at The Roost, the conclusion of the regular farmers market season and October harvest markets scheduled for Tuesday evenings. The council also recognized participation in the inaugural Ride to Remember, which drew approximately 30 riders.
Remarks also recognized the response to an injury involving a Jacksonville High School football player, Jacksonville Christian Academy’s football success, Jacksonville State University’s enrollment milestone, upcoming entertainment at the Randy Owen Center and the success of a recent youth fishing rodeo.
The council concluded its public meeting by voting to enter executive session to discuss matters involving the possible purchase, sale, exchange, lease or market value of real property. Council members said they would not return to the public meeting following the executive session.
