GARDENDALE, Alabama - A piece of legislation aimed at solving the Mount Olive annexation debate is moving through the process, and Gardendale city leaders are now reviewing the compromise.
State Sen. Scott Beason, Rep. Allen Farley and Rep. Allen Treadaway drafted the plan with Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips, Council President Stan Hogeland and city attorney Ken Thompson two weeks ago in Montgomery. The plan was sent to Alabama's Legislative Reference Service for a formal draft and review. City and state leaders have said they do not want to release any details until it is finalized, but said they believe almost everyone involved will be happy with the plan.
The LRS staff wrote up the legislation, and now the next step is for Gardendale to review it.
"When we get done with it, any kind of revisions, that goes back to LRS and then it's published and public record for four weeks so everyone has a chance to look at it (before a vote)," Mayor Phillips said. "But it's still a work in progress right now."
Thompson said there are a lot of moving parts to the legislation and it needs a thorough review. "It will be a challenge both legally and politically because I don't think it's something that's maybe been attempted before in this state but we're giving it our best shot," he said.
After the compromise is advertised, it must be approved by the Jefferson County Delegation before the House and Senate vote on it.
Hogeland said the city hopes to return the draft to the LRS by the beginning of next week.
Click here for previous stories on the Mount Olive annexation debate.