Morgan County District 3 commissioner runoff Tuesday

Apr. 13—Incumbent Don Stisher will meet challenger Matthew Frost in a runoff Tuesday for the seat of Morgan County District 3 commissioner, and while the challenger says the roads need far more attention, the incumbent says the county has done well given budget limitations.

First-time political candidate Frost, 41, a District 3 mechanic/operator, is challenging six-term incumbent Stisher, 68. Stisher received 39% of the vote in the March 5 Republican primary, while Frost received 33%. There is no Democratic challenger in the November general election.

Morgan County commissioners are elected for four-year terms and commissioner races are countywide elections, although the commissioner must live in the district. District 3 covers most of the southern part of the county and includes 325 miles of roads, most of which are rural. The district includes the towns of Falkville and Eva. The annual salary for the position is $89,465.

Frost said roads in District 3 are his top priority.

"They're all in need of attention," he said.

Some roads in the district, Frost said, have needed work for quite some time. He said he would have a system for determining which roads to take care of first.

"You got your busiest roads first, then you start going off from there," Frost said.

Frost said he would look at heavily traveled roads such as Alabama 55, Alabama 41 and Alabama 35 as priorities. He said he would try to obtain money for taking care of the roads in multiple ways.

"You've got Rebuild (Alabama funds), then you've got the gas tax, then you can get grants to pave roads," he said. "I can't promise you every road paved, but we don't have the budget to pave every road."

Stisher said his district is facing a good bit of growth due to available land in rural areas.

"We're seeing continued growth down here, which puts a constant demand on us in the district to meet commercial growth, industrial growth and housing growth in the rural areas," he said. "It requires a lot more attention to focus on our infrastructure in the district. The roads, the utilities and, of course, we've got internet now."

This year's paving season is supposed to start in the district April 22, weather permitting, Stisher said. He said 5 miles of Alabama 55 on the east side of the district will be repaved.

"The east side (of Alabama 55) has been a big conversation, but it's been lined up to be resurfaced for quite some time now," Stisher said. "It's not the best time to pave when it's cold and rainy."

Stisher said he believes he and his district crew are doing a good job of keeping the roads maintained.

"We do this every year; we work with the contractors. Of course, we have a budget, have to stay within, but we're able to stretch and do a lot of the needs we have for road improvements," he said. "We keep up maintenance; we address potholes. I have a crew that's out every day patching potholes."

Stisher said he has not had a problem with employee retention in his district crew. However, several of his employees may be retiring soon.

"There's not a whole lot of young talent coming along unless we kind of recruit them and pull them out of the work field and teach them some of the things we do," Stisher said. "But I don't really see an issue coming forth. We've been fortunate in the past and I think we'll continue to be."

Stisher said the commission is doing enough to promote employee retention in all departments, although he has seen a high turnover in the county.

"I don't think it's a county issue, I think it's a worldly issue, and generational issue," he said. "Also, the sheriff and jail and the issues there. I think (the sheriff) does a good job of training personnel to get them into position to come and work there.

"The government, overall, we see the situation, so we do every program we can to address (employee retention) and prepare them, so I think it's going to be OK. I think the future's bright there."

Stisher said the commission has increased employees' pay.

"The pay scale, we've addressed it pretty aggressively," he said. "I think we've worked well together to keep that going and address those salary issues. There's always need for more, but then again, we keep it a good balance. I do think we're focused on it."

Frost said his second priority would be to "try to get better pay for all county workers. ... We've got to see what money we can get for them; there's got to be money there. ... I believe that would help to keep people from leaving the county. Get the pay up to where everyone else is."

There is a high turnover rate for all county employees, Frost said.

"We need to look and see why people are leaving," he said. "I know the jail's (turnover rate) is really high," Frost said.

Starting pay for corrections officers is $17.30 per hour.

Frost said his focus if elected will be on leadership and having an open-door policy. He said he will work to the best of his abilities to make the residents proud.

"People can come talk to me and I'll talk to you, and we can work things up. I can be available with my phone. If I don't answer it, I will call back," Frost said. "I'll be honest, upfront with you. I wouldn't say anything I couldn't do. No promises."

Frost said he will work closely with his district crew.

"I'll be a bit more hands-on with the guys, working with them. The District 3 crew, I'll be in the field with them," he said. "I'm not going to be a desk person."

Stisher said the reason he is running again is to continue the hard work he has been putting in and to work alongside every group that helps to build and mold the county.

"My passion is being there for the folks, listening to them. Being focused and dedicated to doing the chores. Be a team player going forward, and in the past, I have been," he said. "Continue the continuity of this county and the strength of it, industrial based workforce. All the things and tools it takes to keep a prepared community."

Stisher's campaign contributions include $750 from the Committee For Good Government PAC, $1,500 from Falkville Wood Treating Inc., and $1,500 from Matt and Carol Nail, according to state campaign finance records.

Frost's campaign contributions included $250 from Anders Machine Shop, $200 from Allen Works LLC, $6,000 from Annette Frost and $500 from Lang Sims.

—erica.smith@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2460.