Rockford approves election, other matters
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Rockford Town Council’s June meeting lasted less than 30 minutes, with the Council approving election-related matters, a resolution, appointments, and more.
The town needed to appoint a qualified person to file the town’s list of qualified voters in July, with Mayor Scott White recommending the Council appoint Town Clerk Lesle Nelson for the task. With all members present, the Council unanimously approved appointing Nelson to file the list of qualified voters.
In other election-related matters, White provided notification to the Council regarding “one candidate for one office,” with all five Council seats being unopposed and all current Council members having qualified to serve another term. No action was taken on the matter.
Additionally, the town reviewed its selection of eight poll/absentee workers and two alternates. White said that people had been contacted and were willing to work the polls for election day.
However, he said that they were one short and also needed two alternates. In discussion, it was stated that the poll workers will make $50 for the day and that they must live within the town limits.
White stated that since none of the Council members will be on the ballot that poll workers could be related to Council members. With that said, Annie Lee, Chat Lee and Thelma Lee were recommended to work the polls or serve as alternates.
The selection was unanimously approved, and Nelson said that she would check with the three Lees who had been mentioned to confirm that they would be able and willing to serve as poll workers.
In other business, the Council also unanimously approved and adopted Resolution 2025-06 1 relating to the former Rockford Council of Arts and Crafts facility, the old school building on County Road 18.
It was stated in the meeting that the resolution is for the town accepting the building, with attorney Tom Young stating that he is waiting on some wording for the actual deed.
The adopted resolution reads, in part, “Whereas the Town of Rockford has accepted by deed property known as Arts and Crafts Center, previously owned by the Coosa County Board of Education, and whereas the Town of Rockford has agreed to spend public funds to maintain and ensure the building for its upkeep, and whereas he Town of Rockford desires to use the Arts and Crafts Center for municipal purposes and municipal services, including, but not limited to, child victim/child counseling purposes which the town deems to be in the public’s interest. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Town of Rockford that the Arts and Crafts Center deeded to the Town of Rockford by the Coosa County Board of Education be used for municipal purposes and municipal services, including, but not limited to, child victim/child counseling purposes.”
The resolution further reads that the deed from the Board of Education contains a reverter clause, “which returns the property to the [Board of Education] if the property, or significant portion thereof, is not used for municipal purposes and municipal services.”
Per the resolution, the town will pay the closing cost; including title insurance or survey, if desired by the town; and for document preparation of the deed, “with stipulations that no portion of the property is to be used for other purposes besides what is set out in this resolution.”
The Council also unanimously approved and adopted Ordinance R-Misc-2025-06-01, which declared that certain previous ordinances are “null and void and are deleted in their entirety.”
The Council also made an appointment to the Library Board. White stated that one Board member could not continue because of life changes, but did not specify which member that was or who was vacating a Board position.
However, the Council unanimously approved appointing Katherleen Larmon to the Library Board to fill that vacancy.
In other business, White reported that the town had received a letter of resignation, effective immediately, from maintenance worker Chris Crumbley, with White saying that he wished Crumbley the best.
He suggested that the Council think about what the town needs in a maintenance worker and take it into consideration for the next meeting.
The Council also reviewed and unanimously approved an audit proposal from Hull & Russell, P.C., out of Clanton for $7,000. It was stated that Hull & Russell was recommended by accountant Henry Dunlap Jr. and that other quotes had been $10,000 and $15,000.
The Council also unanimously approved declaring certain items as surplus; including an old Crown Victoria, finishing mower and Scag zero-turn mower; and selling them on GovDeals.
Also on the agenda was a facility use agreement with the American Red Cross relating to the Event Center, with intended use being for emergency situations. However, Young and White mentioned having concerns with a few things in the agreement.
As such, the Council unanimously approved tabling the matter until its next meeting.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. July 15.
