MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION

COMMISSIONER CONNIE HUDSON


October 2023


DISTRICT 2 NEWS & EVENTS

CONTACT MOBILE COUNTY DISTRICT 2 COMMISSIONER CONNIE HUDSON

Address:

205 Government Street

Mobile, Alabama 36644


Office Phone:

(251) 574-2000


Office Fax:

(251) 574-2001


Email:

[email protected]

Join the District 2 Mailing List
Visit District 2 on Facebook
Visit the District 2 Webpage

MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER HUDSON

FY2024 County Budget Highlights


On October 1, 2023 the new FY2024 General Fund Budget for Mobile County became effective. The $203,350,036 budget reflects a 6% decrease over the FY2023 budget due to a reduction in one-time capital expenditures. Overall, the FY2024 budget revenues increased by 11% ($13 million) relative to a projected increase in the County’s sales, property and simplified seller’s use taxes.


Public Safety accounts for the largest functional category of expenditures at 47% of the total General Fund Budget and includes the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Court Police, Metro Jail, Strickland Youth Center, and the 13th Judicial Circuit Court and District Attorney’s Office subsidies.



The General Government category, which includes the License Commission, Revenue Commission, and Probate Court offices, the County’s Building Maintenance, Custodial, Facilities Management, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance, Legal and Inspection Services departments accounts for another 36% of total budget allocations.


Budget highlights included for FY2024 are a 5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) and absorption of the 2024 5% health insurance increase for employees, funding for increased staffing for Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, General Government activities, and Capital Equipment purchases.


The budget reflects the Commission’s commitment to recruiting and retaining qualified employees through providing competitive wages and benefits, and funding the replacement of aging capital equipment for the fourth year in a row. Economic conditions have improved statewide resulting in the projected growth in tax collections. That trend will continue to be closely monitored to ensure that Mobile County’s financial position remains stable.


To view the County’s FY2024 General Fund Budget, click here.


Have a wonderful week!


Best Regards, 


Connie

IN THE COMMUNITY

Commissioner Hudson welcomed attendees to a Ribbon Cutting and Inaugural Walk celebrating the new Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Located on the grounds of the Senior Center at 9635 Moffett Road in Semmes, the ADA- compliant trail is approximately three-quarters of a mile in length and incorporates wetlands, a retention pond and 10 exercise stations. This project was made possible thanks to the partnership between the Mobile County Commission and the City of Semmes.

On Friday, September 15, 2023, Commissioner Hudson served as the Honorary Captain of the Davidson Warrior Football Team as the Davidson Warriors battled the Daphne Trojans at W.P. Davidson High School! Commissioner Hudson participated in the home-game Coin Toss to start the game. Located at 3900 Pleasant Valley Road in Mobile, Davidson High School is proud to have a brand new on-campus stadium.

Commissioner Hudson delivered remarks and participated in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 158 North McGregor Avenue celebrating the newly rebuilt section of road between Museum Drive and Old Shell Road on North McGregor Avenue on Thursday, September 21, 2023. This project was a joint venture between Mobile County, the City of Mobile, the Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) and The Village of Spring Hill. The $3.4 million project, which began in January 2023, included $1.9 in Mobile County Pay-As-You-Go funds and was completed ahead of schedule. Improvements include upgraded utilities, sidewalks and on-street parking.

Monday, September 25, 2023, Commissioner Hudson was the guest speaker for Scout Troop #143 and pack members related to the group’s study of Citizenship and American Government. The Commissioner spoke about the role of the Mobile County Commission, the type of projects spearheaded by District 2, and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Commissioner Hudson gave remarks on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Historic Marker Dedication Ceremony officially recognizing the original location of Semmes High School as an Alabama Historical Commission location of significance per the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. Erected by the City of Semmes, the historic marker provides a brief history of the building including being established in 1945 and serving as Semmes High School, then Semmes Middle School, before transitioning to its current use as the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama’s Semmes Branch.

MOBILE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

PET OF THE WEEK

Our loveable and adoptable "Pet-of-the-Week" is “Maree!”


Maree is a 1-year-old, 35 lb lab mix who is potty trained, loves people, and is animal-friendly as well. She would do great with a fenced-in yard for running and playing. 


Maree is heartworm positive and her heartworm treatment, along with her adoption fees, have been fully sponsored. She is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on all vaccines. 

  

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.


You can also click here to learn more and find links to view available dogs and cats.

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATION

Escatawpa Hollow Park & Campground is now accepting reservations for its RV campground. Click here to read more.


Located at the Alabama/Mississippi state line (15551 Moffett Road in Wilmer, Ala.), the 32-RV-campsite campground began welcoming campers on Aug. 14, 2023.


Photos and fees for each campsite are posted in the online reservation system here.


For day-use visitors, the park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk and Mobile County continues to waive admission fees during continued construction.

Mobile Public Library Children's Services:

October's Beanstack Reading Challenge is "Hallow-Read!"


Complete the challenge to enter the drawing for crocheted ghosts!


Steps to participate:

  1. Create an account on Beanstack (see link below).
  2. Track your reading.
  3. Participate in reading challenges.
  4. Possibly win prizes.


For October, keep working towards the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten goal and enter the Hallow-Read Challenge!


Register for Beanstack here: https://mobilepubliclibrary.beanstack.org/reader365

October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31

300 Government St.

Mobile, AL 36602

October 5, 12, 19 & 26

October 5 @ 6:30 PM

MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART

4850 Museum Drive

Mobile, AL 36608


Free gallery talk with Mobile artist and Executive Director of the Mobile Arts Council, Lucy Gafford. Lucy will discuss her creative journey from idea to completion of the Fantastical Forest, the interactive children’s exhibition that inspires and wonders children and adults alike. For more information, click here.

Mobile Pops Fall Concert

October 8

This event will feature Dr. Christopher Britt, Education and Outreach Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute. The program will take place online on Zoom (contact the museum or see their Facebook Page for a link) and will also be broadcast live on the big screen in the museum’s auditorium.


The History Museum of Mobile invites the public to attend the free Learning Lunch lecture series. Guests are encouraged to bring their lunch and enjoy a presentation. For more information on the Learning Lunch series, contact Jennifer Theeck, Curator of Education, at (251) 301-0270 or by email at [email protected].

RENAISSANCE MOBILE RIVERVIEW PLAZA HOTEL

64 S. Water St. Mobile, AL 36602


To register, click here.

October 13


Once again, The City of Mobile is closing off the streets and turning Bienville Square into a giant roller rink. They will have lights, a live DJ, and Roll Mobile merch for sale. Dust off those old skates or grab a new pair for Skate Night at Bienville Square. This event is sure to be fun for all ages! Bring your skates or bring a chair to watch. The entrance is at the corner of Conception and Dauphin Streets.

*Roller skates and roller blades only. No skateboards, bicycles, scooters, or hoverboards are permitted for the safety of other skaters. For more information visit: cityofmobile.org/parks-rec/events

The Semmes Senior Center and Semmes Woman's Club are partnering to bring you an event with something for everyone! 

Mary G. Montgomery High School

4275 Snow Rd N, Semmes, AL 36575

Mobile Opera is proud to present Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro:


The Temple Downtown

351 Saint Francis St, Mobile, AL 36602


Friday October 27 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, October 29 @ 2:30 PM


Season Subscriptions and Tickets are available here.

Annual Halloween Event

EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER

65 Government St.

Mobile, AL 36602


Rock those costumes and come join us for this year's overall theme of "space" or all things out of this world! Explore Earth and Space sciences with a number of exciting demonstrations and hands-on STEM activities such as Bernoulli’s Planets, Alka Seltzer Rockets, and launching stomp rockers into orbit. Oh... don't forget about our infamous pumpkin explosion!


This will also be one of the last days of the FEAR exhibit as well, so catch it while you can! Admission is FREE for Exploreum members and General Admission for non-members. Click here for admission information.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road

Theodore, AL 36582

251.973.2217

[email protected]

https://bellingrath.org/


Dress up your little ghosts and goblins and enjoy an evening of Halloween fun at Bellingrath! The Gardens will be filled with spooky and fun inflatables, and local businesses and organizations will set up numerous treat stations to hand out candy and trinkets to guests of all ages. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for ages 5-12. There is no charge for ages 4 and younger. Members of the Friends of Bellingrath will receive a discount on their tickets.

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

Fear: An Immersive Exhibit


EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER

65 Government St.

Mobile, AL 36602


"Why do we feel fear? Where does it come from? And why do some people enjoy being scared?" The Exploreum presents Fear: An Immersive Exhibit, now open! Click here for more information about the science behind this new adventure. Click here for more information about the Exploreum Science Center including hours and tickets.

For Movie Series Information, click here for the Saenger Theatre's Facebook page.


For Saenger Theatre Concert Information, click here.

65 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602


Join the Exploreum Science Center for Saturday Science! Demonstrations will be shown in our various Lab and Headquarters throughout the day. Included with general admission.

Free for Exploreum Members.

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:

UPCOMING COMMISSION MEETINGS

To watch the live steam,

CLICK HERE.


Commission Conference

Thursday, October 5, 10:00 a.m.

Mobile Government Plaza Assembly Room


Commission Meeting

Tuesday, October 10, 9:30 a.m.

Mobile Government Plaza Assembly Room


Commission Conference

Thursday, October 19, 10:00 a.m.

Mobile Government Plaza Assembly Room


Commission Meeting

Monday, October 23, 10:00 a.m.

Mobile Government Plaza Assembly Room


Click here for more information and to view the

agendas for the above meetings as they are posted.

STAY CONNECTED

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn 

Instagram 

Text "MOBILEALERT"

to 226787


To receive Text Alerts

Mobile County Commission Meetings on YouTube @ mobilecountyal

National Suicide

Prevention Hotline

Call, Text or Chat:

988


Free Smoke Alarms

cityofmobile.org/fire

251-208-7484

   Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov

Flag Retirement Box:

205 Government Street

Government Plaza


Click here for the

Mobile County

Community Events Calendar

Click here for more information.

COMMUNITY LINKS


Click here for Mobile Chamber Events