MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION

COMMISSIONER CONNIE HUDSON

FEBRUARY 2024

DISTRICT 2 NEWS & EVENTS

Address:

205 Government Street

Mobile, Alabama 36644

Office Phone:

(251) 574-2000

Office Fax:

(251) 574-2001

Email:

[email protected]

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Visit the District 2 Webpage

MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER HUDSON

Happy Mardi Gras 2024 Mobile County!

Mobile’s 2024 Carnival season is in full swing throughout the entire Mobile area and gearing up for the next two weeks with over 40 parades, and nearly a million revelers enjoying Mobile’s County’s family-friendly Mardi Gras. For parade schedules and other information, please check out the Mardi Gras Events section below.

Also, please be aware that the City of Mobile has added restrictions for parking in order to keep parade routes accessible. Mobile is limiting on-street parking in areas marked with gold and purple Mardi Gras signs. The restrictions will in in effect two hours before, during and after each parade. Don’t forget to arrive early if you want a front-row spot and bring a bag for each member of your group to hold those beads and moon pies. Have a safe and Happy Mardi Gras… and Let the Good Times Roll!!

Happy 75^th Anniversary Senior Bowl!

This year the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl, college football’s all-star pre-draft football game showcasing the talents of elite NFL daft prospects from around the county, is celebrating its 75^th year in the Port City. Kick-off between the National and American teams is slated for Noon on Saturday, February 2 at Hancock Whitney Stadium located on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

Pre and post game events in Mobile include a Senior Bowl Mardi Gras Player Parade in the Downtown Mobile Entertainment District on Friday evening, and a free concert in downtown Mobile by the Counting Crows on Saturday. During halftime of the game, a 75th Anniversary Team Recognition is planned that will honor all-time Senior Bowl greats who became NFL Pro Football Hall of Famers and Legends. For more information about purchasing Reese’s Senior Bowl tickets or other special Senior Bowl activities and events click here.

Warmest Regards,

Connie

MARDI GRAS INFORMATION & EVENTS

West Regional Library

5555 Grelot Road

Mobile, AL 36609

Friday, February 2, 2024

To register or for information, please email Christina Coxe at [email protected] or call (251) 340-1588.

2024 REESE'S SENIOR BOWL INFORMATION

SENIOR BOWL MARDI GRAS PLAYER PARADE

WHEN: February 2, 2024

WHERE: Downtown Mobile Entertainment District, Dauphin Street

TIME: 6:00 pm, Preceding the Conde Cavaliers

COST: FREE

Kick off Mardi Gras season by joining us on the parade route from the Renaissance Hotel® on Royal Street and then west on St. Francis past Bienville Square for our annual Mardi Gras player parade. Local high school marching bands, our players in their college jerseys, college mascots, local dignitaries and NFL cheerleaders will precede the Order of Inca parade!

ELECTION & VOTER INFORMATION

Please click the button below for information about how to register to vote in Alabama.

Absentee Voting

Please click the button below to confirm your voting registration details.

Confirm Registration

Please click the button below for voting information from Mobile County Probate Court.

Mobile County - Probate Court Information

Please click the button below for the Sample Ballot of the Republican Primary and Constitutional Amendment Election.

Mobile County - Sample Ballot

IN THE COMMUNITY

Commissioner Hudson participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Piggly Wiggly at 306 South University Boulevard, on Thursday, January 11, 2024. She was joined by local officials and Piggly Wiggly principal partners Kamal Constantine and David White, along with Tim Faircloth. The new store provides a unique shopping experience featuring local vendors and international and specialty grocery selections.

On Monday, January 15, 2024, Commissioner Hudson attended The Blacks In Government Port City Chapter 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast at The Calirojae, located at 1004 Dauphin Island Parkway. The theme for this year’s event was, “Living the Dream: It Starts with Me.” Commissioner Hudson is pictured with Sonya Rodgers.

Commissioner Hudson participated in the Mobile Chamber’s Annual State of the City and County event, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, which featured a conversation with Mobile County Commissioners and City of Mobile Mayor, Sandy Stimpson. Commissioner Hudson shared District 2 project updates with over 700 attendees highlighting the Mobile County Sportsplex and Aquatic Center and Escatawpa Hollow Park and Campground. The Commissioner also addressed the importance of quality-of-life opportunities in the county.

Commissioner Hudson and members of the Commission recognized the 2023 Division 3A State Champion Mobile Christian Football Team on Monday, January 29, 2024 and presented Certificates of Recognition and County lapel pins to team members and coaching staff. The team boasted an undefeated 2023 football season as first-time State Champions in the school’s history. Head Coach Ronnie Cottrell, Athletic Director Payton Wasden and the entire coaching staff were on hand for the recognition.

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, Commissioner Hudson gave remarks and participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Exploreum Science Center's featured exhibit, "¡Cuba!" sponsored in part by Mobile County Commission District 2. "¡Cuba!" provides a close look at Cuba’s unique natural history, including its native species, highly diverse ecosystems, and geology. "¡Cuba!" also explores Cuba’s history, traditions, and contemporary Cuban voices to inspire novel perspectives on this dynamic country.

GRACE ABERNATHY IS NEW DISTRICT 2 ADMINISTRATOR

Welcome aboard to Grace Abernathy, the new Mobile County Commission District 2 Administrator! A native of Sylacauga, Alabama, Grace graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Alabama (USA) in 2023.

While at USA, she held leadership positions serving as President of both the USA Southerners and Phi Mu, Kappa Omega Chapter, and was selected as a member of the prestigious Jaguar Senior Medallion Society. She was also selected to serve as a Crewmate and Ambassador for the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

Before joining the District 2 office, Grace was employed as a Chapter Consultant for Phi Mu Fraternity, traveling across the U.S. working with a number of college campuses. Congratulations Grace. Great to have you on the team!

MOBILE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

PET OF THE MONTH

This loveable and adoptable Pet of the Month is "Pascal!"

Pascal has been selected for pet of the month for February. She was previously adopted through the Humane Society of South Mississippi, was microchipped but never reclaimed by her owner. Pascal is a spayed, 5-year-old shepherd mix. She is heartworm negative and weighs approximately 51lbs. She gets along with other dogs, loves treats and greets others well. Pascal has been in our care for 232 days and is patiently waiting for her forever home.

Please stop by the Mobile County Animal Shelter to visit all of our adoptable pets at 7665 Howells Ferry Road. With the exception of holidays, the shelter is open Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Click here: Dogs For Adoption : Mobile County (mobilecountyal.gov)

Click here: Cats For Adoption : Mobile County (mobilecountyal.gov)

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Exploreum Science Center

65 Government Street

Mobile, AL 36602

Sponsored by Mobile County Commission District 2, "¡Cuba!" provides a close look at Cuba’s unique natural history, including its native species, highly diverse ecosystems, and geology. "¡Cuba!" also explores Cuba’s history, traditions, and contemporary Cuban voices to inspire novel perspectives on this dynamic country.

Mobile Opera is presenting Puccini's Le Villi on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., at Murphy High School, 100 S Carlen St, Mobile, AL 36606. For additional information and to purchase tickets, click here.

History Museum Of Mobile

111 S. Royal Street

Mobile, AL 36602

Visit any time from 1 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 4, 2024, and enjoy free admission into the History Museum of Mobile and Colonial Fort Conde.

Sunday, February 4, 11, 18 & 25

LUNCH AND LEARN AT GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN

Feb 6th, 2024 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

300 Government Street

Mobile, Alabama 36602

Government Street Presbyterian is offering a “Tuesday Lunch and Learn” with guest speaker, Glenda Snodgrass, Information Security Expert, of Net Effect. The price is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. All of the Lunch & Learn events are open to the community. Free parking is available in the GSPC parking lot on the corner of Government and Jackson Streets on Tuesdays during the lunch hour. Lunches are served at noon and the speaker begins at 12:30 p.m. For details, call the church office at 251-432-1749.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m. at Government St. Presbyterian Church. Our guest speaker will be Jo Bonner, President of the University of South Alabama.

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m. at Government St. Presbyterian Church. Our guest speaker will be Keith Blackwood, Mobile District Attorney.

February 7, 14, 21, and 28

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

2703 Battleship Pkwy

Mobile, AL, 36602

USA Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Upcoming Events

5751 USA S Drive

Mobile, AL 36608

For more information visit: www.southalabama.edu/music

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road

Theodore, AL 36582

Join us on February 14, 2024, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am for an extraordinary event that promises to tantalize your taste buds and enrich your knowledge of Mobile’s rich culinary history. “Ink & Insight: Author Conversation with Chris Andrews” offers a unique opportunity to delve into the essence of Mobile’s cuisine, presented by Bienville Bites Food Tours.

Date Night at Mobile Museum of Art

4850 Museum Drive

Mobile, AL 36608

February 15, 2024

6:00 PM

For additional information click here.

Couture Garden Design – May Your Landscape Fit Your Lifestyle Like A Glove

Mary Palmer Dargan, Landscape Architect

Saturday, February 17, 2024

9:00am – 2:00pm

Shape your landscape to fit your lifestyle like a tailor creates a custom design for your wardrobe. The day includes seminar, lunch, and a fun after-lunch interactive adventure in design!

Click here to purchase your ticket.

For more information, click here.

Mobile Area Orchid Society’s 45th Annual Orchid Show & Sale

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road

Theodore, AL 36582

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Feb. 23 – Exhibit Setup (8 am – 5 pm), Orchid Sales (10 am – 5 pm) Feb. 24 – AOS Judging (8 am), Exhibit & Orchid Sales (9 am – 5 pm) Feb. 25 – Show Open (9 am – 3 pm), Orchid Sales (10 am – 3 pm)

PRICES: Orchid Show entry is free, but gardens admission is required for garden access. Regular garden admission rates apply.

RSVP: Please reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] or calling 251-459-8868.

For a full list of Mobile Sports Authority events click here .

For Saenger Theatre Concert Information, click here .

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

MOBILE COUNTY FINANCE REPORT

Mobile County Commission

General Fund Budget Report Narrative

As of December 2023

Revenue

December 2023 marks the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. For the period ending December 31, 2023, General Fund revenue totaled $49,500,522. This is in line with budget expectations. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the revenue recorded is from the collection of taxes while thirty-two percent (32%) was comprised of charges for services and intergovernmental revenue.

Expenditures

Including transfers, the County expended $39,291,545. Thirty-six percent (36%) of expenditures went towards general governmental activities, while fifty-eight percent (58%) went towards public safety.

From October 2023 through December 2023, the Commission’s fund balance increased $10,208,977. The County’s ending fund balance was $111,384.563.

Summary

Revenue and expenditures are monitored monthly and compared to estimates, state-wide trends, and regional economic conditions. In the event a trend emerges in which revenue does not meet expectations, we will implement cost-saving measures to reduce spending.

Click here to read the report in full.

DISTRICT 2 ROAD PROJECTS UPDATE

Current District 2 road projects are moving along toward completion. To view the list of ongoing projects in Mobile County Commission District 2, click here or see below: