CENTRE– The Cherokee County Commission unanimously awarded annual Highway Department bids Monday and approved an emergency repair proposal for County Road 104.

Commissioners also committed matching funds for a 2027 grant application and completed several other road-related actions during their Sept. 14 meeting.

The commission held a planning session at 9 a.m. The public meeting followed at 10 a.m. in the commission chambers at the Cherokee County Administrative Building.

Commission Chairman Tim Burgess attended with Commissioners Jones, Nichols, Shaw, and Teague. A roll call established a quorum.

During public comments, Jeff Sauls of the Cherokee County Historical Preservation Society updated commissioners on the group’s projects involving local historical sites. No elected officials addressed the commission, and staff agencies presented no reports.

Pledge Honors 2nd Lt. Jack W. Lindsey Sr.

Before the meeting’s business, Burgess led the Pledge of Allegiance in honor of 2nd Lt. Jack W. Lindsey Sr. of the U.S. Army.

The recognition statement cited Lindsey’s gallantry and intrepidity during combat in Germany on Nov. 16, 1944. During an intense enemy infantry-tank counterattack, he moved about 10 yards ahead of his platoon.

According to the statement, Lindsey’s accurate fire destroyed two enemy machine-gun nests and forced two tanks to withdraw. His actions also stopped enemy flanking patrols.

Later, although painfully wounded, Lindsey confronted eight Germans who were reestablishing machine-gun positions. He engaged them in hand-to-hand combat, killing three, capturing three, and causing two others to flee.

The statement then referred to him as T/Sgt. Lindsey and credited his gallantry with securing his unit’s position. It said his actions reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

In addition, Lindsey later served in Korea. The recognition identified Isney in Choctaw County, Alabama, as his birthplace.

Commissioner Jones then delivered the invocation. The commission had no awards or presentations.

Commissioners unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda. The consent agenda contained minutes from the previous meeting and approved payables.

The commission also held a public hearing on a petition to vacate part of Cherokee County Road 387.

Highway Bids Awarded

Under new business, County Engineer Evan Morgan presented the annual Highway Department bids. Commissioners approved the awards, which cover Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

Morgan opened the bids Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. Ben Walker and Daniel Steele witnessed the opening.

The commission awarded aggregate to Vulcan Materials as the lowest and only responsible bidder. It awarded concrete to Kerr’s Redi Mix on the same basis.

For grader blades, commissioners selected Thompson Tractor Co Inc as the lowest responsible bidder. Alabama Guardrail received the guardrail award as the lowest and only responsible bidder.

Commissioners awarded herbicides to V.M. Distribution Partners as the lowest and only responsible bidder. Chempro received the herbicide-treatment award on the same basis.

Vulcan Materials received the hot-mix asphalt materials award as the lowest responsible bidder. Meanwhile, Hunt Refining received the liquid asphalt award as the lowest responsible bidder.

The commission selected Cedar Bluff Oil for petroleum products as the lowest and only responsible bidder. The bid summary included diesel fuel, gasoline, oil, and lubrication under that category.

Advanced Asphalt Products received the plant-mix patching materials award as the lowest responsible bidder. Vulcan Signs received the road-sign award on the same basis.

Finally, commissioners awarded traffic striping to Ozark Striping as the lowest responsible bidder. The summary also listed a Rebuild Alabama bid category but did not name an award recipient.

The bid awards followed the commission’s Aug. 24 approval of the 2027 Rebuild Alabama County Transportation Plan budget. In a separate vote Monday, commissioners unanimously rejected bids for metal pipe.

Road Work, Grant Funds, and Easement Approved

Commissioners adopted a resolution committing matching funds for the 2027 Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Grant Program. The vote also authorized Burgess to sign the resolution.

In addition, the commission approved GeoStabilization International’s proposal for emergency repairs on County Road 104 in District IV. Commissioners authorized Burgess to sign the proposal.

Another vote approved an easement for property owners adjoining the county’s chert pit, known as the Coffee Pit. The property lies along State Highway 273 and County Road 365.

The commission granted the easement through a quitclaim deed and authorized Burgess to sign it.

Commissioners also approved a $60,000 grader transmission repair. Highway sales-tax funds divided equally among the four commission districts will finance the work.

Following the earlier public hearing, commissioners adopted a resolution vacating part of County Road 387. They also authorized a quitclaim deed, subject to an easement, and authorized Burgess to sign related documents.

Industrial Development Authority Appointment Announced

Burgess announced that commissioners will fill one Cherokee County Industrial Development Authority position at their Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting.

The opening is the remainder of an unexpired six-year District 3 term ending in January 2029. The Commission Office will accept resumes, letters, and other submissions through the close of business Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Commissioners also approved hiring Sara Ozment as a Revenue Commission clerk at Grade 5, Step 1.

The commission held no executive session or further discussion before adjourning. Commissioners will meet again Monday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m.

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