Sheriff Harrell Reaffirms Commitment After Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Commission

Sheriff Mark Harrell on Feb. 16, 2026 reaffirmed his commitment to protect Autauga County residents and law enforcement and said he had directed counsel to seek an amendment to a recent court dismissal after Circuit Judge Donald McMillan dismissed his lawsuit against the Autauga County Commission. The commission announced Feb. 14 that McMillan found the sheriff “failed to show damages and failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted,” and the release said the dismissal bars Harrell from bringing any future suit concerning the same claims.

The Autauga County Commission’s Feb. 14 press release framed the ruling as final, saying in part, “Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrells lawsuit against the Autauga County Commission, and the people of Autauga County, has been dismissed for the failure of the Sheriff to state any grounds upon which he is entitled to relief.” Chairman Jay Thompson called the episode costly to taxpayers: “I'm just glad this case is over. No one in Autauga County has benefited from this ordeal, and I look forward to putting it behind us. Sadly, this debacle has cost taxpayers millions of dollars that could have been used in ways to actually benefit our community,” Thompson said in the release.

Harrell pushed back in his Feb. 16 statement and in comments reported by 1819news. He repeated a full press-release line: “My commitment remains unchanged: to protect the citizens of Autauga County, to support the dedicated law enforcement professionals who serve them, and to ensure that our facilities and resources meet the standards of safety and justice our community deserves,” said Sheriff Mark Harrell. Harrell also disputed the commission’s accounting of his compensation requests: “At no time have I requested an 82% increase in pay as the County Commission has reported,” he said. He told 1819news the court’s dismissal “addressed only the issue of jail occupancy” and that “the remaining claims, adequate courtroom security funding and proper funding of the Sheriff's Office remain unresolved. Accordingly, I have directed my legal counsel to file a motion seeking to amend the dismissal so these critical public safety matters can be properly addressed.”

The dispute over jail conditions and funding stretches back to June 6, 2024, when Harrell evacuated the Autauga County jail citing “health and safety concerns.” At that time he warned the commission: “It will be up to the county commission to properly and adequately fix the issues to prevent health and safety issues before I, as the sheriff of Autauga County, will place another individual in the jail. We have worked out the logistics with several agencies to house inmates.” The commission said the evacuation was unnecessary.

Budget figures have become central to the disagreement. The commission’s press release recounted that Harrell’s suit “included his request that his own salary be increased by at least 82% and ignored that more than half of the County General Fund budget each year goes to the Sheriff's budget.” Commissioner Rusty Jacksland’s quoted remark in the release said “nearly 60% of our General Fund budget goes directly to the [...]” the sheriff’s budget, a figure the commission uses to argue financial constraints.

The sheriff’s Feb. 16 reaffirmation drew local online response. A repost of Harrell’s statement on Elmore/Autauga News’ Facebook page showed 69 reactions, 3 comments and 8 shares; commenters included Steve Campbell, who wrote, “Well said Sheriff. ‘Truth to Power!’” and Tony Moore, who wrote, “Thanks Sheriff you are the first person to address the problem with mold in the jail.I as a tax paying citizen why the commission did not get a grant which would have saved us millions.I called central Alabama regional planning and was shocked what they told me I have it on a recording.”

Harrell was appointed Autauga County sheriff by Gov. Kay Ivey in January 2023 after 23 years with the Prattville Police Department, where he retired as a lieutenant. With the judge’s dismissal announced Feb. 14 and Harrell’s motion to seek amendment communicated Feb. 16, the legal and budgetary dispute between the sheriff and the Autauga County Commission remains active and focused on courtroom security, jail conditions, and funding levels.