Commission approves Scroggins for next County Manager

by

Just over three months after Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock announced his impending retirement, the Shelby County Commission approved his successor at Tuesday night’s meeting. Chad Scroggins, Manager of Development Services & Chief Development Officer, will take over the role upon Dudchock’s retirement on March 31, 2020.

Scroggins has worked for Shelby County for 16 years and the resolution for his approval stated “Chad Scroggins' professional performance during his tenure with Shelby County and his diverse operation experience, education, past responsibilities and his consistent achievements have demonstrated his willingness and ability to continue to serve Shelby County and its citizens as the next County Manager.”

Commissioner Chairman Jon Parker said he was honored to make the resolution to approve Scroggins’ new position and they found the best person for the job.

“I think this is the biggest decision this commission has ever made,” Parker said.

Scroggins thanked the Commission and said he wants to continue the success that Shelby County has built over the years.

“I appreciate the opportunity to take on this role,” he said. “I look forward to the coming months to spend with Alex to gain as much knowledge from him as I possibly can and look forward to serving in the future.”

At the beginning of the meeting, the County Manager, County Attorney and Commission convened in an executive session to discuss land and contract negotiations.

During the County Manager’s Report, Dudchock gave a briefing on the Shelby 280 Center Project, which would be located in the current Blackwatch Sports building off County Road 41 and U.S. 280 near the SportsBlast 1996 Fields Complex. The space would be converted to house several county services in one spot. These would potentially include a License Office (relocating from Inverness Corners), ALEA Driver’s Testing Suite (third location for the county), Water Services Customer Center (relocating from Westover), Sheriff’s North Office/ Station Location (relocating from Greystone), Shelby 911 (relocating from Pelham), a Behavioral Health Sciences Suite, Shelby 58 INC. Business Center and a Community Room.

“The evaluation and analysis for redevelopment for a County Services Building has been in the plans for a while,” Dudchock said. “If everything goes well with the analysis and design teams, this center would opening 2021. We are giving notice to the tenant tonight that analysis will begin this week.”

During the County Engineer’s Report, Randy Cole discussed bridge replacements for several county roads which were approved by the Commission:

  • replacement on CR-55 over Norfolk Southern Railroad near Sterrett
  • replacement of an 88 foot bridge on CR-51 over Yellowleaf Creek
  • replacement of a 170 foot bridge on CR-61 over Beeswax Creek
  • replacement of a 102 foot bridge on CR-71 over Spring Creek
  • replacement of a 34.1 foot bridge on CR-47 over Weaver Creek

Award bids approved during the meeting include:

  • Bid for calcium hypochlorite tablets to Innovative Water Care
  • Bid for Hydrated lime to Lhoist North America of Alabama.
  • Bid for concrete pipe pick-up and delivery to Foley Products and Alabama Pipe & Supply
  • Bid to purchase a Ford Transit Cargo Van for the coroner’s office for transport

Shelby County will have several events to celebrate Independence Day, including The Big Kaboom in Chelsea on June 29, Fire on the Water at Oak Mountain State Park on July 3 and Celebrate Independence Day at American Village on July 4.

The next Shelby County Commission meeting will take place on July 8 at 8:30 a.m. at the County Services Building in Columbiana.