Talladega County prepared to take City of Lincoln to Court over PJ

The Talladega County Commission is apparently prepared to take the city of Lincoln to court over its police jurisdiction.

Commissioners, following an executive session Monday, voted 4-1 in favor of a resolution authorizing the commission’s attorneys to  “take all necessary and reasonable actions to file action against the City of Lincoln in the State and/or Federal Courts regarding the legality and constitutionality of the police jurisdiction, the collection of sales and use tax by Lincoln within the police jurisdiction, and the loss of tax revenues by the County.”

The resolution says the county is also seeking reimbursement of revenues and legal fees and expenses as allowed by law, and has authorized its attorneys to take any and all necessary, reasonable actions to protect the interests of county citizens as well as the financial interests of the county.

Chairman Kelvin Cunningham was the lone commissioner to against the resolution. When asked why, he said “no comment,” but insisted that he stands with the citizens of Talladega County and wants what is best for the people.

The Lincoln police jurisdiction has been a source of controversy with some county residents for months. Residents have raised issues such as taxation without representation and have expressed concerns about whether the city could provide proper police and fire protection to those living within the PJ.

The Lincoln City Council recently voted to stop enforcing the PJ around the non-contiguous annexation of Lincoln Harbor, but that appears to have done little to calm the controversy.