Wiggins, Smith sworn in during county commission meeting Wednesday

Published 9:55 am Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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Escambia County Commissioners Raymond Wiggins and Brandon Smith were sworn into office Wednesday morning by Judge Eric Coale.

Wiggins, of District 2, was re-elected, without opposition, to the post to serve another four years on the commission. Smith, of District 4 and also unopposed, resumes his seat at the table of the commission.

Wiggins took the oath of office joined by his wife, Charlene, during the ceremony.

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“It is an honor to serve with this commission,” Wiggins said. “I look forward to another four years serving the citizens of the county.”

Smith was joined by his wife and daughter, Sharon and Madelyn, as he took the oat of office.

“It is an honor to serve with everybody here,” Smith said. “I look forward to the next four years serving.”

Wiggins was re-confirmed as the chairman of the commission with Larry White re-confirmed as the vice chairman of the group.

In other business, the commission:

  • adopted a resolution establishing regular and administrative meetings schedules for the next term and confirming use of existing rules of procedure;
  • approved the funding of a Highway Department Engineering Assisting and Programs Coordinator position at the request of the County Administrator Ron Cink;
  • approved a contract with Summerill Law Firm PLLC to negotiate new U.S. Marshals per Diem rates for housing and transport of federal prisoners;
  • approved a resolution for transportation contract between the Area Agency on Aging and ECATS;
  • approved a contract with Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring Us Inc., for Community Corrections ankle monitoring;
  • approved a letter of support to the City of Atmore for the city’s application for federal grant funding for drainage and improvements on Ross Road. Wiggins explained that the City of Atmore had incorporated the area included in the request for funding and were responsible for maintaining the road way. Smith said the area going into the Holman Prison was in need of major repairs. “It’s a horrible road and it needs work big time,” Smith said. “Employees at Holman use a cut-off road to get to work.”

At the close of the meeting, Cink introduced the newly-hired Assistant County Administrator Krystal Waldrop.

“Last year, you (the commission) approved the addition of a position of Assistant County Administrator,” Cink said. “After going through the application and interview process, I’m happy to introduce Krystal Waldrop in the position.”