BY JOHN BRICE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Alabama Department of Public Health East Central District Assistant District Administrator James Hardin addressed the LaFayette City Council at its meeting Monday night to discuss upcoming fee changes.
Hardin explained that he had dropped off an information packet for the council to review.
“It was a review of some of the proposed changes to the environmental fee structure for the Department of Public Health Chambers County,” he said. “I was offered the opportunity to come speak and I took that opportunity to answer your questions. Every county is a little bit different in the state as far as how your fees are set up. Chambers County is one that is not approved through a municipality, it is basically approved at the state health offices.”
The fee structure was addressed in detail by Hardin.
“Primarily what we have fees for are septic systems and for restaurant inspections, those are the two primary ones,” Hardin said. “Also, you will see hotels as well in here. These have not been review changed since 1992. It’s been a while since we have updated these. Because one of the main things was to standardize these fees. A lot of these we don’t use any more. We don’t charge extra for soft serve any more if it is in a restaurant so we’re removing that. There was also one that was for tire disposal that was in Chambers County which we don’t charge for any more. To get those off we had to take that through this process.”
City Attorney Mac Tucker was next on the agenda with a 911 agreement discussion. Tucker said that the contract had been reviewed and that the Utility Committee had recommended that the city enter into the agreement.
Council Member David Ennis shared his perspective related to how the process played out.
“One thing I want to make clear, I know every one of the board members,” he said. “They are good, honest people. I know the attorney is good people. Everybody on this council needs to look out for the city. What I want to make clear is that somebody is looking at it and there needs to be a standard that each entity is charged. Per capita is the only way that makes sense at all.”
Following the remarks by Ennis, the council approved the motion to enter into the new 911 agreement.
Council Member Michael Ellis will not be returning to the council when the new term starts in the fall and he took the time during the comments segment to share some parting thoughts.
“I just want to thank the citizens of District D who entrusted me for the past three terms to be their representative,” Ennis said. “I wasn’t running again this upcoming election. I really want to thank the citizens for allowing me to serve and be their representative. I have enjoyed working with you guys.”
In other business
- The council approved Resolution No. 2025-07-14-01 FY 2025, a CDBG application with local match for a water improvement project.
- The council approved Resolution No. 2025-07-14-02 FY 2025, a professional engineering service for the water improvement project.
- The time to canvass the Aug. 26 municipal election results was set for a time before noon, on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in accordance with state law.
