Learning about government

I was honored to be selected to be a part of this year’s class for Leadership Shelby County. Along with 36 other people who work in leadership roles throughout the county, we will gather one day each month through May to attend full day sessions on a variety of topics that will include: government, education, economic development, justice, health care, state government and quality of life/tourism. Because I get to cover the 280 corridor as part of my job, I will be sharing my experiences each month.

On Oct. 8, our class had its first official outing as we spent time in the county seat of Columbiana for Government Day.

The day’s objective was “to provide an understanding of how your local government works, and demonstrate that local governments — both city and county — can work together cooperatively, cohesively and collaboratively.”

We gathered that morning at the Shelby County Museum and Archives, formerly the 1854 Courthouse, and were given a brief historical perspective of Shelby County by David Nolen, retired former Renasant Bank president, and Jennifer Maier, executive director of Shelby County Museum and Archives.

Next, we heard about present day Shelby County from Christy Pannell-Hester, planning services supervisor for the Department of Development Services. She informed us that the 17 municipalities that make up the 808 square miles of Shelby County are home to 215,707 residents. The county will continue to see growth, as the projected population for the year 2045 is 290,596.

From there, we walked a few blocks to the County Administration Building, specifically the Commission Chambers. There, Shelby County Chief Operating Officer Phil Burns moderated the speaker panel comprised of former state Rep. Mike Hill, who spoke on state government; Shelby County Commissioner Jon Parker, who discussed the county as an extension of state government, and incoming County Manager Chad Scroggins discussed management of County policy.

We learned Shelby and Jefferson counties are the only two in the state with a county manager, and Shelby County was once on the verge of bankruptcy, and paid off $52 million of debt in just eight years to become one of the most fiscally responsible counties in the state.

Shelby County Engineer Randy Cole spoke about his role being in charge of the county infrastructure (roads and bridges), the use of gas taxes and difference between county and state roads.

All gas taxes are collected and distributed throughout the 67 counties. The Shelby County Highway Department maintains 960 miles of roadway (845 paved). It spends about $2.8 million per year on road resurfacing, but has needs of $5 to $6 million per year. The county is currently on a 39-year resurfacing cycle, but Cole said it should be around 14.

Shelby County Tax Commissioner Don Armstrong discussed county taxes (property taxes and sales taxes) and what they fund (54.3% for schools; 20.6% for city; 14% for county and 11.5% for state).

Indian Springs Village Mayor Brenda Bell-Guercio discussed how the town incorporated in 1991 and how it functions with no municipal sales or municipal property tax in Indian Springs Village.

During our lunch break, Shelby County Attorney Butch Ellis talked about his 55-year career as county attorney and how Shelby County is the poster child for good government.

The next space we visited was the newly opened Shelby County Arts Center at Old Mill Square where Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley explained the renaissance the city is undergoing, adding his priority is to enhance the quality of life for all the citizens of Columbiana. He hopes the city will become an entertainment destination for not only central Alabama but the entire Southeast.

Bruce Andrews, executive director of the SCAC took us on a tour of the facility before we returned to the Blackbox Theater for two mayor panel discussions that included: Mayor Frank Brocato (Hoover), Mayor Marty Handlon (Alabaster), Mayor Gary W. Waters (Pelham), Mayor Tony Picklesimer (Chelsea) and Mayor Mark Hall (Helena).

Next, we heard Mayor Hollie Cost (Montevallo) discuss her top priorities for the city, the benefits of partnering with Shelby County Government and the establishment of the Montevallo Development Cooperative District/MDCD.

We ended our day with County Manager Alex Dudchock, who told us about the importance of city and county government working cooperatively, cohesively and collaboratively.

Our next class day will be Education Day on Nov. 12.