Public safety tops agenda as Madison County grows
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Mac McCutcheon was appointed chairman of the county commission by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2023. Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios
Madison leaders are prioritizing public safety as the county grows quickly, Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon said Thursday at the State of the County.
Why it matters: Public safety is a big reason Madison County keeps landing rankings as one of the best places to live in America, McCutcheon said, and the county is investing its tax dollars accordingly.
Zoom in: While districts attorney and judicial circuits are state-funded, McCutcheon said the county has to "step up ... to ensure public safety."
- The county allocates about $3 million annually to the DA's office, he said, and earmarks about 60% of its general fund budget to public safety.
- In a video, District Attorney Rob Broussard said that covers about half of the office's budget, "and that's not mandated by any law. He added that about 25% of the budget is covered by the state.
By the numbers: In the video, McCutcheon said the DA's office worked 8,413 cases in 2024 and 6,150 through August of this year, while the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court has handled 41,413 and 29,193 cases, respectively, in that time.
- The county's jail, with a $26 million annual operating cost, is facing a capacity issue, McCutcheon said.
What they're saying: "We know the day is coming when we're going to have to build more space," he said. "With the growth that we're experiencing ... it could be within the next couple of years."
Courthouse plans, road work progress
Looming large in the county's planning consciousness is the construction of a new courthouse, which McCutcheon said is currently estimated at $150 million.
- A feasibility study was completed in April, followed by the hiring of an owner's representative in July and the issuing of an RFQ in August.
- The county plans to hire an architect by the end of the year, he said, starting the design and decision-making process as the county decides on a location.
Catch up quick: Two years ago, the county put together a 10-year roadwork plan of 29 projects, he said, of which 11 had been completed for $27 million.
- Another $11 million worth are currently under construction, $2 million in projects are under construction, and another $80 million are in design and acquisition.
- "We got a lot of work to do, but this is unprecedented for us to be spending this kind of money," he said.