Oxford, AL – The Oxford City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, recognizing the city’s incoming fire chief and addressing several items of municipal business.
During the meeting, Fire Chief-designate Ben Stewart received the chief’s badge in a traditional pinning ceremony held before the council and a council chamber filled with members of the Oxford Fire Department dressed in formal uniforms. Outgoing Fire Chief Gary Sparks administered the oath of office, during which Stewart pledged to “serve the citizens of the city of Oxford with compassion, courage, and integrity.” Sparks then pinned the chief’s badge onto Stewart’s uniform. Stewart will officially assume the role of Oxford Fire Chief on February 1, 2026.
In remarks following the ceremony, Stewart expressed gratitude for his career, family support, and the leadership of Chief Sparks, while also thanking Mayor Alton Craft and the Oxford City Council. He emphasized his commitment to working alongside the men and women of the Oxford Fire Department and focusing on continuous improvement within the department. Mayor Craft offered his support, stating his confidence in Stewart’s leadership and future service to the city.
Earlier in the meeting, the council approved the consent agenda by a 5-0 vote. Items included Resolution No. 2026-05, reappointing David Mayfield and appointing Joey Stay to the Zoning Board of Adjustment; Resolution No. 2026-06, authorizing the mayor to enter into a services agreement with Neumo Group, LLC for vape products tax revenue administration; Resolution No. 2026-07, approving a proposal from the Three Notch Group, Inc. for professional engineering services related to the city’s USDOT BUILD Grant application for the Friendship Road Bridge Replacements Project in the amount of $9,500; and Resolution No. 2026-08, authorizing a lake management contract with Jones Lake Management dba Aqua Services for aquatic weed and algae control at Oxford Lake and Choccolocco Park at an annual cost of $26,714.16
The council also approved Resolution No. 2026-09 as a separate item, authorizing the mayor to enter into a settlement agreement in the amount of $31,157, which passed unanimously.
In additional action, the council set a public hearing for February 10, 2026, to consider a zoning request from the Calhoun County Economic Development Council. The request seeks to rezone property located at 419 Green Acres Road from Agricultural District (AG) to General Manufacturing District (M-2), following review by the Oxford Planning Commission at its January 6 meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Oxford City Council is scheduled for February 10, 2026.
