Dudchock gives final State of the County address
County Manager Alex Dudchock gave his last annual “State of the County” presentation at the Chamber’s Community Luncheon held Oct. 30 at the Pelham Civic Complex.
Before his presentation, it was announced that the Shelby County Chamber and the Shelby County Mayors Association had created the Alex Dudchock Community Leadership award. Beginning in January 2020, the award will be presented annually to an outstanding civic or business leader in Shelby County that demonstrates the values which Dudchock has carried himself throughout his career.
Recipient's names will be added to the plaque each year, and it will have a permanent home in the chamber offices. The first recipient will be named at the chamber’s annual meeting on Jan. 29, 2020.
Dudchock has dedicated himself to service in Shelby County for the last (almost) 30 years.
Chamber board chair Bill Conner said that since Dudchock first arrived in the 80s, he has exhibited principles of hard work, communication, selfless service and collaboration.
“His impact can be seen and felt in every corner of the 808 square miles of the county,” Powell said.
Dudchock’s presentation focused on the progress made in the last year and what’s in store for Shelby County in 2020. He said the county is financially the strongest position it has been in 30 years.
“Throughout my tenure, the county commission has brought to the table ideas and suggestions, but the most important thing is the fiduciary responsibility for policing our budget, authorizing it and empowering others to implement it has been critical throughout tenure,” Dudchock said. “Not everyone has that.”
Dudchock said what he is most proud of the people he works with having a goal to find a way to do something, and the commission giving the tools so they are capable of doing that.
The fiscal year 2019 ended on Sept. 30 and some of the facts Dudchock shared include:
- Population growth is up 2,102
- Unemployment rate for Shelby County is a 1.9% (the lowest in the state of Alabama)
- 5.4% growth in real and business personal property -Justice involved adults represent only two percent of the county population.
- There were 30 county deaths due to drugs, but none were juveniles.
Dudchock also highlighted 2019 Capital Projects and Initiatives around the county, including the Shelby 280 Center, which will serve as the new county services building off U.S. 280 near Highway 41 in the current Blackwatch Sports. The space will be the new home for the Shelby License Office, Sheriff’s Office and several more county services. It is slated to open first quarter 2021.
Dudchock said most of his successes have been because of people working collectively. Upon his retirement as county manager on March 31, 2020 Chad Scroggins, the current Chief Development Officer, will take over the position.
In his closing comments, Dudchock said it has been his pleasure to work for Shelby County and taking this job was the best decision he ever made.
“There is still work to be done and the people coming after me have the resources and talent even greater than we did when we started.”
The next Chamber Community event will be a Prayer Breakfast on Nov. 26 featuring Shelby County Commissioner Mike Vest as the speaker. The event will be from 7:30-9 a.m.