Autauga County Commission to Consider Jail Healthcare, Promotions, Mental Health Grant

The Autauga County Commission's March 17 regular meeting carried an agenda heavy with public safety business, centering on a jail healthcare contract, a round of personnel promotions, and a law enforcement mental health grant application whose details have not been fully disclosed.

The healthcare item follows action the commission took at its February 3 meeting, when it approved a contract amendment between Turn Key Health Clinics, LLC, doing business as TK Health, and the Autauga Metro Jail. That amendment covered healthcare personnel and administration services running from December 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. Whether the March 17 item represents a renewal, an extension, or a separate agreement was not specified in the published agenda.

The February 3 meeting also illustrated the persistent staffing churn at the jail. Under Jail Warden Larry Nixon, commissioners approved three correction officer hires in rapid succession: Adam Bramel at Grade PS301, Step 3, effective January 27 to replace Javaris Livingston, who had resigned; Tierra Scott at Grade PS301, Step 6, effective January 30; and Naomi Rojas at Grade PS301, Step 3, effective February 2. The commission also adjusted Dhija Williams' starting pay from Step 4 to Step 5 and rescinded the hire of Natalie Kuczmarski, who had been brought on as a full-time receptionist.

The mental health grant application listed on the March 17 agenda drew no further elaboration in the published materials. No grant program name, applying department, requested dollar amount, or matching fund requirement was included in the agenda language made available.

Beyond the jail-related items, the February 3 meeting addressed several other county personnel and infrastructure matters. County Engineer John Mark Davis brought forward the retirement of truck driver Robert Bishop, effective February 26, along with Resolution No. 2026-11 formally honoring Bishop's service. Davis also sought approval of Coburn Properties Plat No. 1 on CR-100 in District 4. The commission separately approved Change Order No. 6 with contractor Matthes Parker under RFP No. 14 for Phase II of the ongoing jail and courthouse construction project.

On the administrative side, the commission moved to hire Kristina Gardner as Accounts Payable and Facility Maintenance Coordinator at Grade 5, Step 3, effective February 17, filling the post left vacant by Regina Mims, who retired. Revenue Commissioner Kathy Evans presented millage rates for collections with no change to the existing mills, with the general rate holding at 5.0 mills.

The commission's consent docket included approval for designated personnel to attend the Alabama County Administrators Association conference in Orange Beach from May 5 through May 8. Chairman Jay Thompson presided over the February session, with Kyle Shirley, John Mark Davis, Scott Kramer, and Audra Smith also present.