The Alabama Legislature will convene on January 14, 2025.
Recently the Alabama Association of County Commissioners met to discuss the legislative agenda for the Associaiton of County Commissioners in 2025. The Alabama Association of County Commissioners are led by Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director who is one of the most powerful people in Alabama politics in Montgomery.
“Every year, this Conference serves as our final opportunity to gather together as an Alabama County Family and decide our collective stance on a myriad of pressing policy issues,” said Sonny Brasfield, ACCA Executive Director. “It is this collective discussion that allows us to speak with ONE Voice on the many issues and decisions that arise in Montgomery but that impact the operation of county government back home.”
For 2025, Alabama counties have outlined a series of legislative priorities designed to address critical operational and policy challenges:
Insurance Program for Alabamians: Advocate for an insurance program leveraging federal funding while safeguarding Alabama’s state budget from undue financial strain.
Board of Registrars Reform: Propose amendments to ensure county registrar appointments reflect local racial demographics, enhance accountability, and establish minimum qualifications for appointments.
Candidate Statement Deadlines: Establish a single, standardized deadline for candidates affiliated with political parties to submit their economic interest statements.
Sales and Use Tax Exemptions: Formalize a process enabling county commissions to opt into sales and use tax exemptions on an annual basis.
Expanded Mutual Aid: Broaden the scope of county-to-county mutual aid agreements to include support for non-disaster emergencies and large-scale events.
Enhanced 911 Services: Empower emergency communication districts to streamline the coordination of public safety answering points, improving the efficiency of 911 services.
Equitable 911 Fund Distribution: Revise the distribution framework for unclaimed funds in the State 911 Cost Recovery account to ensure equitable support for 911 operations statewide.
State Crime for Glock Switch Possession: Advocate for the establishment of a state crime penalizing the possession of a Glock switch.
Retirement Benefits for Correctional Officers: Correctional officers who meet specific training requirements can qualify for first responder credit in the Employees’ Retirement System.
Additionally, conference attendees unanimously adopted the 2025 Alabama County Platform, a comprehensive document detailing the unified stance of all 67 counties on other potential legislative matters. This platform reflects the diverse needs of Alabama’s counties while emphasizing their shared priorities.
The ACCA continues to champion the interests of county governments across Alabama, offering educational programs, legal guidance, and insurance services while representing counties in state and federal policy discussions. By fostering collaboration and advancing critical legislative initiatives, the ACCA ensures that Alabama’s counties can provide efficient and effective services to their communities.
On Tuesday 41 year old Ryan Phillips was in the United States Federal Court for sentencing.
Ryan Phillips, a former Sergeant with Daleville Police Department and former Houston County Sheriff Deputy enterted guilty pleas in United States Federal Court for using Unreasonable Force against an inmate in a March 2022 dispute.
In the plea agreement, Ryan Phillips admitted that he took off his gun and badge, entered the cell where the inmate was held alone, and struck the inmate several times in the face and upper body. Federal Court information is the inmate suffered multiple cuts and bruises to his face and chest.
This was a civil rights violation which was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The United States Federal Court Judge sentenced Ryan Phillips to 16 months in the United States Bureau of Prisons. His law enforcement certification was ordered revoked and he can never be re-instated as a law enforcement officer, anywhere, again.
Following the sentence the court ordered Ryan Phillips to be taken into immediate custody to begin serving his sentence.
This event did not happen under the current leadership of Daleville Department of Public Safety – Police Division where John Crawford serves as Police Chief now.
Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd identified the man who died of a suspected overdose at Houston County Corrections Monday.
The victim is Jerome Boykin, Jr, who was 45 years old. His body has been sent for autopsy, and the State Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.
The director of the facility said the death is possibly due to an overdose.
The Dothan Downtown Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament begins on Thursday, December 26th at the Dothan Civic Center. As such, the City of Dothan would like to pass along the following information –
On December 26th-28th at 1:00 p.m., the Dothan Civic Center will adhere to a “clear bag” policy while the basketball tournament is in progress. The clear bag policy will also be in effect on Monday, December 30th beginning at 3:30 p.m. and starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31st
The offices located inside the Dothan Civic Center will be open for normal business operations during these days and times.
During the tournament, the drive-thru lane near the Dothan Utilities payment kiosk will be closed. Customers may park in the parking lot and walk up to the kiosk. As a reminder, the City of Dothan also has Dothan Utilities payment kiosks located at Westgate Park as well as the Dothan Utilities complex located at 100 Kilgore Road, here in Dothan.
Citizens are reminded that children under the age of 15 should be always accompanied by an adult during the tournament. Children 15 years of age or younger are not permitted to be dropped off at the Civic Center.
As a reminder to citizens, the Dothan Civic Center is a “cashless” venue for concessions during the tournament and other events. Please utilize debit or credit cards at the concession stands.
DOTHAN: These court cases are scheduled in the 20th Judicial Circuit in Houston and Henry County Alabama: Note: Juvenile doesn’t have Public Record Judge Lori Collier Ingram and Judge Henry “D” Butch Binford Handle all Juvenile Cases. Note: Domestic Violence is not always Abuse Cases. They have cases like Petition for Custody and Petition to Modify. HOUSTON COUNTY: HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY DISTRICT-CRIMINAL COURT JUDGE BENJAMIN LEWIS: Each morning has initial appearances. These are people who have not made a bond. They are required to be seen by a Judge or Magistrate within 48 to 72 hours “of their arrest”. Judge Lewis follows the law even when on holiday he or another Judge comes to the Houston County Jail for initial appearances. These Persons are seen via a TV screen from the jail to the courtroom. HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY DISTRICT-CRIMINAL JUDGE BENJAMIN: Has Traffic with 225 cases ranging from Drive W/Suspended, Expired Tag, Speeding, Failure to Wear Safe, DUI and Improper Lane Usage. HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY DISTRICT-CIRCUIT JUDGE LOIR COLLIER INGRAM: Has Child Support with 4 cases for Child Support Case, Contempt/Rule NISI X 2, Petition for Custody, Parental Visitation. HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY CIRCUIT-CIVIL JUDGE KEVIN MOULTON: Has Circuit-Civil with 1 case for Bad Faith/Fraud/Misr, HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY CIRCUIT- CRIMINAL JUDGE M JOHN STEENSLAND III: Had Traffic with 1 case for DUI-Controlled Subst. He also has District-Criminal with 26 cases ranging from Use/Possess Drug Par, Possess Marijuana 1 st . Possess/Receipt Cont, Fraud Use Credit/Deb and Theft of Property 4 th . He also has Circuit-Criminal with 63 cases ranging from Possess Marihuana 1 st , Break Enter Vehicle, Expungement Petition and Porn Intent to Disseminate. HENRY COUNTY: HONORABLE HENRY COUNTY DISTRICT-CIVIL JUDGE JAMES D PETERSON: Had District-Civil with 1 case for Unlawful Detainer.
HONORABLE HENRY COUNTY CIRCUIT-CRIMINAL JUDGE KEVIN MOULTONP: Has Circuit-Criminal with 60 cases ranging from Theft of Decept 1 st , Possess Contr Subs, Forgery 3 rd , Identity Theft and Theft of Property 1 st .
