By Michael Butler

Brad Davis’ first day with the Elmore County Commission was on Nov. 13 of last year. The District 2 representative has been busy in his first term.

There are multiple projects in place for the betterment of the county, which has more than doubled in population since the 1980s.

“Last census, we were 90,000,” Davis said. “We’re probably north of 100,000 now.”

Enhance Elmore is a new program that has taken center stage with the commission.

“It’s a plan to attack the growth in Elmore County,” Davis explained. “We can’t just build roads and anticipate things happening. This is a way of putting money back and having flexibility.”

There is proposed legislation addressing those needs. At the forefront is the county jail at near 150 percent capacity.

“That number is only going to increase. Enhance Elmore is really just to build a jail.”

The Elmore County Commission’s new quality of life projects are benefitting communities like Tallassee. Approximately $10 million from county lodging taxes is being allocated to the city.

At J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium, returfing the playing and practice fields, as well as the installment of a new video scoreboard, will be an estimated $2.5 million expense.

Davis said completion of the new turfing phase is still expected by Tallassee High School’s graduation date on May 23.

“When Eclectic was doing their field, it went from dirt to turf quick.,” he said. “They’ve been telling us that they don’t expect any delays and graduation should be a go here.”

The other portion of the $10 million is designated for a new recreation center. A recent soil test presented an issue on the proposed site behind the current facility.

“You can build parking lots on it, but you don’t want to build a $7.5 – $10 million building on bad soil.”

The project is not dead if the location is not feasible. One alternate possibility could be land next to the Tallassee Elementary School.

“It’s encouraging to have other places. We’re all willing to work together,” Davis noted. “This revenue is a continued stream. Things are going to happen.”