The Marion City Council opened its first regular meeting of 2026 on Jan. 5 with a unanimous decision to give a tax abatement to the new owners who are redeveloping the Judson College campus.
Representatives with the Texas-based firm Judson College Properties LLC told the council that “exciting announcements” about redevelopment plans for the campus will be made soon. But first they wanted and got a 20-year tax abatement from Marion and hope that will entice the state to do the same. As a college, Judson didn’t pay taxes.
Representative Liberty Duke told council members that the project has been in development since early 2024 in coordination with the Governor’s Office, the Alabama Department of Commerce, county officials and the city.
Marion City Council also had extended discussion about city finances, infrastructure repairs and public records access.
The council discussed heating issues at both City Hall and the city shop. An initial estimate of $7,631 was presented for City Hall’s furnace, but Mayor Hinton said the city shop also needs repairs and that both projects should be bid together. Additional quotes will be gathered and brought back to the council.
Councilman Willie Jackson requested to revisit a previous motion regarding authorized signers on city checks. The council voted to add Councilman Stanley Kennie as an additional signer, bringing the total to three needed to process checks without the mayor’s signature.
A follow-up motion sought to grant council members online access to all city bank accounts. Mayor Hinton said such access raises security concerns and should be discussed in executive session. He noted that council members may already review records in person at the bank, where documentation is logged.
The mayor reported that engineers are preparing bid documents for sewer line repairs on Monroe, Thompson, and Convenience streets. Work on the Industrial Drive lift station is expected to be bid out within 30 to 60 days.
The city is awaiting quotes on two used garbage trucks the mayor described as being in “mint condition.” Photos and pricing will be emailed to council members once received.
Hinton also announced that the city secured a $100,000 line of credit from First Citizens Bank, the same institution used for previous credit arrangements.
A lengthy exchange followed regarding the city’s 2023 and 2024 audits. Council members questioned why the 2023 audit, expected months earlier, had not been completed.
Mayor Hinton said the auditor requested additional time and that the city submitted a formal extension request to ADEM. He added that the city’s outdated financial software and the withdrawal of contracted CPA firm Mason & Gardner contributed to delays.
The mayor said all audit payments are current, though a $15,000 balance for 2024 work will roll over.
During public comments, a resident confronted the mayor about what she described as three and a half years without a single response to an open records request, despite the mayor previously stating that records would be provided within three to five business days.
The mayor did not respond directly, but the city attorney noted that a recent request had received a written response and timeline.
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