Remaining ACCA priority bill signed into law
This past Monday, ACCA’s priority legislation related to municipal business licenses (SB304 by Sen. Greg Albritton and Rep. Paul Lee) was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. Effective January 1, 2027, Act 2026-437 specifies how municipalities may calculate business license fees for businesses operating within municipal boundaries without maintaining a physical location there, most notably prohibiting municipalities from requiring such businesses to obtain a municipal business license when performing county government projects located on county property or county-maintained roads, bridges, rights-of-way or easements. Act 2026-437 can be reviewed in its entirety here.
Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood seeking county position on ERS Board
Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood has announced her candidacy for the county-elected position on the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Board of Control, which will become vacant later this year with the anticipated retirement of DeKalb County’s Ricky Harcrow, who has held the Board seat since 2022. The county seat is reserved exclusively for active members of Alabama county government and was created through ACCA priority legislation during the 2021 session to expand local government representation on the ERS Board. Commissioner Ludgood boasts nearly two decades of county government service and extensive state and national leadership, including service on the ACCA Board of Directors and on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Executive Committee and various NACo steering committees. County leaders are encouraged to stay on the lookout for additional details from ACCA in the weeks ahead and to make plans to participate in this important June election.
County Family member re-elected to NACE leadership position
Elmore County Chief Engineer and Operations Officer Luke McGinty was recently sworn in once again to a leadership position with the National Association of County Engineers (NACE). During the association’s annual conference this past week, McGinty was re-elected by the Southeast Regional States to serve another one-year term as NACE’s Southeastern Regional Vice President. In this role, McGinty represents Alabama and NACE on the association’s Executive Committee, which consists of five regional vice presidents, three officers, the Immediate Past President and a National Association of Counties Board representative.
Commissioners to explore county government, public school system dynamics
This week, County Commissioners from across the state will travel to 17 Springs in Millbrook to participate in a Buddy Sharpless Education Institute (BSEI) course focusing on the relationship between county government and the public school system. Taking place Thursday and Friday, the course will examine school budgetary processes, statutory requirements, and opportunities for intergovernmental collaboration, while exploring the broader role of education in public safety and economic development. This week’s course will be the second of five course offerings for Commissioners under the 2026 BSEI education schedule. To learn more about this year’s BSEI opportunities, click here.
County employees to participate in “finance, revenue” training
More than 75 county employees will gather at the Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Center later this week for the County Government Education Institute’s “Finance and Revenue” course. Scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, the class will feature discussions on local government revenue sources and county budgets, tax collection and enforcement, debt financing, and legal requirements for competitive bidding and public works projects. A complete course agenda can be viewed here.
Reminder: Counties encouraged to apply for semiquincentennial community grants
America250AL is still accepting applications for semiquincentennial community grants, with plenty of available funding remaining. Counties may apply for up to $2,500 to support local events, educational initiatives and historical programs celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Each county is eligible for one grant, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis — and applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026. Click here to learn more.