BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Commission voted to approve the updated solid waste management plan for the county during the Monday, March 9, commission meeting.
The plan has been a source of contention in the county for many years, since the county instituted a contract with Arrow Disposal, now known as Meridian Waste, in 2021.
Previously, individual and privately owned companies provided trash pickup services in the county. The county’s contract ended this ability.
Many citizens have been displeased since. The county commission, in recent meetings, has been discussing ways to move forward.
“I want to be out of the garbage business altogether,” District 1 Commissioner Doug Cannon said during the Feb. 9, commission meeting. “At some point, we need to be out of the garbage business, billing and all.”
Environmental Services Director John McDonald said that the plan, which will be presented to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, would not hinder the county’s ability to change its method of solid waste disposal, or the company or individuals it partnered with to do so.
The vote passed 4-1 with District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand voting no.
“I understand that this is a requirement but after reading over it, I just — and this is me — I just don’t see or feel the benefit or the purpose for the residents of Lee County,” he said.
Leadership Lee County
The Lee County Commission also voted to allocate funds to the Leadership Lee County 2025-26 Class Initiative for Project Mustard Seed.
During the last commission meeting, the commission was visited by Leadership Lee County with an update on its Project Mustard Seed.
The goal of Project Mustard Seed is to provide several benefits and improvements to the Community Market, an outreach of the Food Bank of East Alabama.
The project’s goal is, “To transform the market’s exterior … into a welcoming, vibrant, outdoor oasis,” said Wade Bennett, a member of the Leadership Lee County class. “We are attempting to turn a bare lot into a functional community hub.”
LaGrand proposed each commissioner providing $500 for a total of $2,500 for Leadership Lee County to purchase picnic tables, which was approved. This covered the remaining costs needed for the tables.
Other improvements include concrete, a pergola, tables and hopefully, in the future, things like gardens, greenhouses or a playground.
In Other Business
- The Lee County EMA recognized one of its employees who has reached the one-year mark.
- The commission heard an update on a situation regarding the Phenix City Planning Jurisdiction in unincorporated Lee County.
- The commission announced board openings on the Southwest Lee County Fire Protection Authority Board.
- The commission heard the first reading of an opening on the Lee County Alternative Sentencing Board.
- The commission heard the second reading for an opening on the Smiths Station Fire Protection District Board.
- The commission approved an ABC 140 Special Events license for Clubs and Hatchets.
- The commission approved an ABC 140 Special Events license for Premium Pours.
- The commission approved an ABC 700 (Specialty Retailer of Consumable Hemp Products) for Hornet Wine and Spirits.
- The commission approved ABC 050, 070 and 990 Retail Beer (Off Premises Only), Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only) and Tobacco and Alternative Nicotine Products Licenses for Gas Express LLC Salem and Phenix City (D3).
- The commission approved two fiscal year 2026 budget amendment requests.
- The commission approved the 2026-27 annual alcohol levy.
- The commission approved the final plat approval for the division of Parcel B of the Williams Estate.
- The commission voted to table a vote for the preliminary plat approval for the Madison Heights 2 Subdivision.
- The commission approved the final plat approval of the Rolling Oak Ridge of Lake Harding.
- The commission recognized several students and teams including the Beauregard Girls varsity basketball team, the Smiths Station Junior High and West Smiths Station Elementary Beta Club.
