ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Baldwin County Commission met Wednesday at the Baldwin County Central Annex to speak with state lawmakers and local officials about several proposed pieces of legislation the Commission is preparing for the legislature.

The state and county lawmakers heard the most ire from local officials over the use of city or town authority over land outside the limits of their borders.

According to the County Commission, citizens in the “police jurisdiction” of several Baldwin County communities, including Gulf Shores, Fairhope, Robertsdale, Bay Minette and Summerdale — people in unincorporated areas, but in those communities’ police jurisdictions — have to pay for a municipal building permit, but cannot vote in city or town elections.

Town officials argue that the area allows them better control of development on their borders and allows better police and fire protection.

But to Silverhill Mayor Timothy Wilson, the proposed legislation means his small community would be “devastated.”

“The police jurisdiction concerns me, but we get some franchise money from the power companies and we need that for our budget.”

Silverhill Police Chief Kim Wasdin also spoke up, saying, “Taking away our police jurisdiction would take away our court, our judge, our prosecutor and three jobs.” She added, “Put in money so Hoss (Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack) can hire me and the other officers.”

Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy, also a critic of the legislation, offered his community up as a "guinea pig” to test the new rules.

“This is really going to ruin our budget,” said Wilson during a break in the meeting.

“This is going to kill Loxley,” said town council member Wallace Sabin to the group.

Ron Scott, a member of the Daphne City Council and employed by the county's Planning and Zoning Department, said the current law, “Goes back to the time when the county could offer limited services."

Another thorny issue for local municipalities is the establishment of “Community Heritage Districts.”

If established, a “Heritage District” comes under the control of a five-member county-appointed board. New changes to the law now require that the area be a “sustained community” that his been “historically recognized” for 75 or more years and must include at least 75 dwellings. A big change comes with the designation lasting 10 years, and municipalities within 40 miles will have a chance to comment.

In response to a question asked by Billie Jo Underwood, representing the town of Summerdale, the amended legislation would not preclude a “Heritage District” from becoming part of a community.

A Heritage District can be annexed into a community, but the process is arduous, including a county commission public hearing and a “plan of service” detailing municipal services must be presented to the county commission.

Another bill would require all communities to use the Magnolia Landfill. Some communities that have landfills or other waste-sorting facilities object to this as there are potential “revenue streams” on the horizon for waste goods.

Murphy asked, “ What about contracts a municipality entered into lang before this legislation came up? How are we covered.”

The audience also heard a presentation on making County Road 83 a route to the HK Motors “Megasite” near Bay Minette. State officials have said a route to the east is preferred.

There was also a presentation on a proposed new animal shelter. No action was taken at the meeting.