Winston County Commission

County faces federal funding cuts


Winston County Commission Chairman David Cummings, discusses the county’s finances at the January 9, Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.
HALEYVILLE A comparison of figures from last year’s to this year’s Winston County Commission budget shows the county had some funding triumphs with grants funding projects and employee raises, while also showing significant funding cuts in some key areas.

$2 million coming for Helicon Road


A five-mile section of County Road 77 (also known as Helicon Road) from County Road 41 in Arley will be resurfaced, thanks to $2 million in state funding. Shown at a deteriorating section of County Road 77, from left, Arley Mayor Johnny Taylor, Winston County District 1 Commissioner Rutger Hyche, State Representative Tim Wadsworth and Arley Fire Chief James Rickett.
ARLEY - An agreement has been reached between the Alabama Department of Transportation and Winston County Commission, approving $2 million in state monies to resurface County Road 77, otherwise known as Helicon Road, from County Road 41 in Arley to County Road 22 in Helicon.

Delays on Natural Bridge project raise concerns


From left, Lynn Town Clerk Marcia Manasco, Water Clerk Kris Gray and Police Chief Bryan Kirkpatrick at the scene in Natural Bridge where traffic has been realigned until a major road project at a railroad underpass is completed.
NATURAL BRIDGE - A portion of U.S. Highway 278 between the Natural Bridge intersection and a railroad underpass has been closed and traffic redirected for a few months, due to a project residents have yet to see materialize.

Garbage rate increase for county residents


Winston County Commissioners voting to increase sanitation rates across the County are, from left, District 1 Commissioner Rutger Hyche, Commission Chairman David Cummings and District 2 Commissioner Roger Hayes.
WINSTON COUNTY - Residential garbage increased $5 a month per customer in Winston County July 1, after Winston County commissioners cited various factors and financial reasons behind the increase at their regular meeting Monday, June 30.

Proposed tax split changed


The Winston County Commission remains divided over how the road and bridge improvement portion of a proposed lodging tax would be divided between districts. From left, District 1 Commissioner Rutger Hyche,Commission Chairman David Cummings and District 2 Commissioner Roger Hayes.
WINSTON COUNTY - The percentages of a portion of a proposed lodging tax for Winston County appear differently in draft legislation currently running as a legal notice in the Alabamian than how they were approved by the Winston County Commission in February.

Lodging tax vote brings out residents


From left, Rutger Hyche, Winston County district 1 commissioner, Roger Hayes, Winston County district 2 commissioner and Commission Chairman David Cummings.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - After considering several amendments related to how the proposed Winston County lodging tax would be divided to benefit various entities, the vote on the first draft proposed by District 1 Commissioner Rutger Hyche failed after a lack of second.

Public hearing on proposed lodging tax brings out concerned residents


Benjamin Grizzell. standing, owner of Smith Lake Rentals and Sales, addresses the Winston County Commission with concerns about the proposed lodging tax. At left is Commission Attorney Jeff Mobley. At right is George Gibson, Karen and Charlie White, who also spoke out with concerns.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - A week before a special-called Winston County Commission meeting to discuss and vote on the proposed lodging tax, residents spoke out Monday, Feb. 10, voicing concerns over the tax and urging commissioners to rethink the issue.