OXFORD, AL — The City of Oxford recognized local individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community during its 174th birthday celebration on February 24, 2026, with the presentation of the inaugural “Oxford At Its Best” awards at Oxford City Hall.
The awards are part of the city’s “Alabama At Its Best” initiative launched last year and are intended to recognize those whose work and dedication have helped shape the city. Mayor Alton Craft presented the awards during the celebration.
The Oxford Arts Council received the Citizen of the Year Award for its ongoing mission to enhance the city through arts programming and community involvement. In presenting the award, the organization was recognized for “their continuing and ever evolving mission to better their city by turning their passion into work and for being a living definition of ‘public service’ to their city and fellow citizens.”
First Bank of Alabama was named Business of the Year and was acknowledged for its support of Oxford’s growth and economic development, as well as its long-standing sponsorship of community events. The bank was recognized for its “enthusiastic support for the growth of the city of Oxford in ways both seen and not seen; its actions to encourage the city’s economic development; its first-in-line ‘what do you need’ attitude; and its five-year run as the preeminent sponsor of the Festival of Lights.”
The late Fred Denney, who served as the city’s project manager for 17 years, was posthumously honored with the Employee of the Year Award. City officials recognized Denney for helping build “the Oxford of today which is a monument to the work and devotion for the city he loved and served so well.”
It was also announced that Denney will be the only recipient of the Employee of the Year Award. Future city employee honorees will instead receive “The Fred Denney Leadership Award” in his honor.
City officials said a formal nominating process will be announced later this year, allowing Oxford residents to submit nominations for individuals, organizations, businesses, and city employees. A panel of citizens will review submissions and select future recipients.
The annual city birthday celebration is sponsored each year by the Oxford Arts Council.
Council actions and upcoming public hearings
During the February 24 Oxford City Council meeting, council members approved the consent agenda in a 4-0 vote. Council President Chris Spurlin was absent.
Approved items included two tax abatement agreements for ADCON, LLC; authorization for the mayor to enter into an agreement with Three Notch Group, Inc. for construction, engineering, and inspection services related to sidewalk improvements along Main Street from Oak Street to Thomason Street in the amount of $116,539; and a resolution declaring certain equipment surplus for disposal or sale.
The council also approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with ALDOT for a corridor study on Leon Smith Parkway and a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a $5,000 sponsorship agreement with Coosa River Team Trail, LLC.
Public hearings were set for March 10, 2026, to consider zoning requests previously reviewed by the Oxford Planning Commission at its February 3 meeting. These include a request from Friendship Properties LLC to rezone approximately 17 acres off Carterton Heights from Agricultural District (AG) to Planned Development District 1 (PD-1), and a request from Johnny Morgan to rezone property at 1108 and 1110 Jones Road from Planned Development District (PD) to Light Manufacturing District (M-1).
The next regular Oxford City Council meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
